On Thursday the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan announced its request for the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the Taylor Police Department because of the “ongoing pattern and practice of excessive force.” They also indicated that “the particularly brutal treatment of several African Americans raises concerns about possible racial discrimination.”

October is often a cruel month in Detroit. It is the time of foreclosures for overdue taxes and land sales through public auction. This year, an unprecedented efforts by public and private groups will make tax evictions less likely. Wayne County officials are trying to avoid foreclosures on occupied homes and the Stay As You Pay program is designed to exempt people who are struggling with finances from property taxes. Still officials say somewhere between 18,000 and 25,000 homeowners are at risk in Wayne Country of losing homes.

More than a decade has passed since John Hantz announced his effort to create a vast urban farm on Detroit’s east side. The original idea was to develop the world’s largest urban agricultural business, combining traditional farming methods with indoor hydroponics. This was to be augmented by agro-tourism and, ultimately, a global innovation center. The plan promised 15 to 20 jobs in the first year, and 250 within the decade. Hantz was prepared to invest $30 million over 10 years. In defending his ideas in April of 2010, Hantz explained his motives. Farming is “land extensive” he said. Detroit “cannot create value until we create scarcity, and large scale farming could begin to take land out of circulation in a positive way.”

The official announcement by James Craig of his candidacy for Governor was surrounded by controversy. Craig was unable to deliver his scheduled speech on Belle Isle as more protestors than supporters gathered to shout him down. He managed to say he was running for governor before he ran off to the more secure Icon Building to meet with reporters and formally declare his intentions. By all accounts the speech and interaction with reporters was less interesting than the colorful denouncements of Craig on Belle Isle.

In a move that surprises no one, James Craig, the former police chief of Detroit, is set to formally announce his candidacy for the office of governor of Michigan this week. Almost immediately after indicating he was running on Fox news, big republican support started flowing in his direction. Most notable are the efforts of former Governor John Engler who is behind the “We Need the Chief” PAC formed to collect cash for the effort.

This is the 20th anniversary of the attacks of September 11th. It is the first year without American troops on Afghan soil. An entire generation has grown up with war as a constant presence in their lives.  They have grown up at a time when extreme cruelty and torture are normal ways of dealing with people. They have seen a world where waterboarding, physical, and psychological punishments have been defended. They have lived with a doctrine of “preemptive war,” justifying the right of the US to attack with full force those it deems might be an enemy.

This week, images of FBI agents raiding Detroit City Council offices and homes flashed across the news media. Council members Janee Ayers and Scott Benson, as well as staff members, were raided in a federal investigation into public corruption. This raid comes just weeks after the Council member Andre Spivey was charged with bribery. Of the nine council members elected in the last cycle, four are now tainted with real or imagined charges of corruption. All have been strong allies of the Mayor and have steadfastly backed corporate interests.

The echoes of Vietnam are clear as we watch the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Analysts are noting the parallels of the infamous Gulf of Tonkin resolution, connived to provide legal cover for the US military buildup in Vietnam with the congressional authorization of revenge on the 9-11 terrorists. It has been used to justify attacks on 14 nations ,with 37 distinct military operations, enabling the longest sustained military engagements in US other than the war on indigenous peoples. The comparison of images of panic, desperation and destruction between the fall of Saigon and the evacuations from Kabul are strikingly clear.

Detroit and Michigan have again been assaulted by severe storms. Rains brought more widespread flooding, blocking the ability of emergency workers to even get out of their doors. Nearly 800,000 people were without power for days. Extended power outages are common place in much of the city and surrounding communities. Michigan has joined the long list of places directly impacted by the forces of global warming and climate change. Extended droughts, fires, heat and rising water levels are bringing misery and death to people and places across the globe.

Detroit is facing a growing divide on fundamental questions of democracy. One of the clear results of last week’s primary election is evidence of how much corporate powers fear efforts that move the city toward justice. In its report of the election, the Detroit Free Press, which opposed the proposal summarized it saying, “Supporters of the controversial ballot question sought to revise Detroit's charter in ways that would push toward a more just and equitable Detroit, including better access to broadband internet, greater water affordability, a task force on reparations and justice for African Americans.” 

At this writing, the fate of Proposal P, the effort to revise the Detroit City Charter, is unclear. No doubt, if it is passed, it will face numerous legal challenges, as the forces against it are committed to its defeat. If it fails, however, many of the ideas contained in it will continue to be raised throughout the city. Whatever the fate of this particular issue, there are some things that are import for us to think about more carefully.

Corporate powers have launched an all-out campaign against the proposed city charter revisions. Last week I got an email blitz from Rev. Horace Sheffield, III warning me that “Proposal P is an illusion, a delusion and a ball of confusion!” He argued that proposal P jeopardizes city services by creating dozens of mandates to increase city spending by millions every year.” The weakness in that argument seems clear.

This week the strongest argument for voting Yes on Proposal P for the new city charter came with torrential rains. Much like the pandemic, this catastrophe revealed the lack of comprehensive thinking about how to live more consciously in just and sustainable ways.

As people gather to celebrate Independence Day, we face critical questions about the future of democracies. Over the last decade, with the rise of authoritarian governments and increasing repression, no one was shocked when President Biden announced in a Memorial Day speech that “democracy itself is in peril.”

I am sharing a leaflet we wrote in the fall of 2004. It was the first time Grace emphasized what would become a key idea over the next decade of her work, the need to grow our souls. It emerged from a conference at the Fetzer Institute, sponsored by the Center for Democratic Renewal/Project Change and Tools for Change.

The impulse to create a new, living democracy is strong in Detroit. As a movement city, people have long understood the power of organized action for change. We are the home of some of the most radically democratic efforts in the country, infusing our political life with principles of justice and compassion.

The Republican party has given up all pretense that it believes in democracy. It does believe in the rule of law, though. That is why throughout the country republicans are moving systematically to create legal frameworks that will enable them to control the outcome of elections. Their determination to suppress the ability of people to vote is now widely documented. This suppression is tied directly to their instance that the last election was a fraud, and they are determined to make sure the next one comes out the way they want.

After a week of legal wrangling, the ability of Detroiters to vote for or against the proposed City Charter is unclear. What should be clear, is the fight over the Charter is at the heart of contested visions of our city. Whatever its flaws, the Charter holds out a vision of our city that puts people first, acknowledges the disparities among us, and takes concrete steps to improve the lives of our people, our children, and our neighborhoods. It limits the power of the Mayor and the Police and increases citizen voices.

This week James White assumes command of the Detroit Police Department. We wish him well as the new Chief. He is stepping into a position that requires new thinking about policing, relationships in our city, and the responsibilities of public officials.

James White assumes command of the Detroit Police Department on June 2. Chief James Craig has decided to retire. He is embracing the openly racist, white supremist, anti-democracy republican political party as his new home. This tells us much about what is wrong with policing in Detroit and why we need a shift in leadership. This change is an opportunity for us to rethink policing. So far, incoming interim Chief White is a disappointment.