Photo Attributions: (left) Jacob Hamilton / MLive, (right) Trische’ Duckworth
STATEMENT FROM THE WASHTENAW COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY EXECUTIVE BOARD ON THE DEFACEMENT OF THE “BLACK LIVES MATTER” MURAL IN YPSILANTI
September 22, 2021
On September 19, 2021, the large “Black Lives Matter” mural painted on the access road to Riverside Park in Ypsilanti was defaced by racist vandals. The mural, authorized by the Ypsilanti City Council, was a powerful statement of solidarity with the Black community. It acknowledged that policies, laws, official acts, and individual conduct in the United States often suggest that Black lives do not matter.
We hope the vandals will be caught and suitably held accountable for their offense and we urge local law enforcement and the County Sheriff and Prosecutor to do everything in their power to bring them to justice.
This heinous act of overt racism only strengthens our commitment to elevating the voices and the power of racial minorities in our County. It reminds us that ALL of us are created equal and that ALL of us have a solemn duty, in everything we do or say, to hold our fellow citizens in equal esteem, respecting and embracing cultural differences, and continuously learning from each other as we go forward together.
The Washtenaw County Democratic Party Executive Board looks forward to the day when the beautiful mural is restored and again proudly proclaims that BLACK LIVES MATTER.
Endorsement Meeting
Saturday, October 2nd
On Saturday, October 2nd, the WCDP will hold an endorsement meeting immediately following the General Membership meeting. It will begin at 12:15 p.m. and registration is required. We will consider the endorsement requests from candidates on the November 2021 ballot as well as resolutions. We will send out the resolutions and names of candidates in advance if we receive them in time. In order to vote in this meeting, you must live in Washtenaw County and have been a member of the Michigan Democratic Party for at least 30 days. If your membership lapsed within that 30-day period, you may rejoin before the meeting and be eligible to vote. Democratic elected officials and Precinct Delegates are waived from the 30-day requirement but must become members before the meeting begins. Send proof of membership to Chris Savage (chrissavage123@sbcglobal.net.)
If you are a candidate for office and wish to receive the WCDP’s endorsement, send your request to Chris Savage as soon as possible. You must be a member of the MDP in order to receive our endorsement.
If you wish to submit a resolution, contact Chris Savage for details. The link to register is here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Vqp3jcrWS5miyjdiSlKhkw
STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR MICHIGAN REPS
Find your county commissioner here.
State Senator Jeff Irwin has a regular Virtual Coffee Hour — To receive the Zoom access code and the next date, please fill out this form:
State Rep. Yousef Rabhi, 53rd House district: yousefrabhi@house.mi.gov, Phone: (517) 373-2577. https://housedems.com/yousef-rabhi/.
Typically discussions are 10 am on the 4th Saturday of the month and 6 pm on the 2nd Monday of the month. Click to register:
State Rep. Ronnie Peterson, 54th House district: ronniepeterson@house.mi.gov Phone: (517) 373-1771 | Toll-Free: (855) 347-8054, https://housedems.com/ronnie-peterson/
State Rep. Donna Lasinski, 52nd House district: donnalasinski@house.mi.gov, Phone: (517) 373-0828 | Toll-Free: (855) 627-5052, https://housedems.com/donna-lasinski/ (sign up for emails here).
State Rep. Felicia Brabec, 55th House district: FeliciaBrabec@house.mi.gov, Phone: (517) 373-1792, https://housedems.com/felicia-brabec/.
