Detroit Activists Rally in Support of Haitian Migrants

October 12, 2021

By Fighting Words Staff  Detroit Activists Rally in Support of Haitian Migrants – Fighting Words (fighting-words.net)

There were two public actions over the weekend of September 24-26 demanding an end to the racist and brutal treatment of migrant workers and their families from Haiti.

On Friday, September 24 the Moratorium NOW! Coalition and the Michigan Emergency Committee Against War & Injustice (MECAWI) held a picket line outside the Immigration Building located on East Jefferson Avenue and Mt. Elliott during rush hour.

The demonstration was pulled together in less than two days. Many cars passing along the streets blew their horns in solidarity. One African American photojournalist parked his vehicle to join the protest and later took pictures.

In downtown Detroit on Sunday, September 26, there was another gathering in front of City Hall organized by the Caribbean Community Services Center and the African Bureau on Immigration and Social Affairs (ABISA). Several political officials addressed the Sunday action including State Senator Stephanie Chang, Councilwoman Raquel Castenada-Lopez and a representative from the staff of Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib.

Both public protests demanded asylum for Haitian migrants, the abolition of Title 42, and the immediate end to brutality and racism directed towards Haitians and all migrants of African descent.