#Occupy Detroit: “Detroit is the 99%” (Video)

Luke (last name did not want disclosed), 9, of Trenton marched back and forth in an empty fountain during the rally at Grand Circus Park for the Occupation of Detroit, Friday, Oct. 14. (Tanya Moutzalias | photo editor gcmag.org)

Protesters at Occupy Detroit held up all types of signs revealing their reasons to rally for the Occupation of Grand Circus Park on Woodward: “DTE Turns Off Light Of Children”; “Bring the Troops Home”; “Mayor- Declare a State of Emergency in Detroit”; “Scumbag Wallstreet”; and “Synder Put People Before Profits”.

Occupy Detroit began Friday, Oct. 14 at the Spirit of Detroit where protesters meet. The 100-large crowd marched three-fourths of a mile up Woodward to Grand Circus Park, the site of the rally and occupation.

The rally to Occupy Detroit began in sync with Occupy Michigan on Oct.14 as the occupation movement that originated with #OccupyWall St. in Zuccotti Park turned into a global movement. According to “October 15 United for #GlobalChange“, on Oct. 15 there were 951 cities occupied in 82 countries.

Detroit and metro area residents joined the movement to have their voice heard. Similar to Occupy Wall St., Detroit saw unions joining the efforts. David Edgar, president of United Auto Workers Local 869 of Warren,  was a main figure at the occupation. He stood on the park fountain’s edge with a megaphone pulling people up from the crowd so they could tell their story and why they were there to rally for Occupy Detroit.

Husain Bazzi, 16, of Dearborn (left) and David Edgar, President of United Auto Workers Local 869 of Warren, speak to the Occupy Detroit crowd. The young and well-spoken Bazzi hopes to one day attend the University of Michigan. (Tanya Moutzalias | photo editor gcmag.org)

A general assembly was held and broadcast live just like the other occupy movements were, allowing those who can not attend to still hear the occupiers’ message. The occupiers take majority votes for every action they make. A sophisticated process of speaking, voting and holding small groups takes place so that everyone has a voice in the actions of the group.

General assemblies are held in the evenings at 7:00. Food, medical, comfort and other groups are discussed as well as purposed demonstrations. Occupymi.org states that the Occupy Detroit movement plans to march to Bank of America on Wednesday, Oct. 18 with a letter “enumerating grievances and demanding a moratorium on foreclosure and foreclosure-related evictions.”

Occupy Detroit protesters discussed the serious concern over hypothermia at Saturday’s general assembly. The movement is accepting donations including food, medical, clothing, tents and blankets. In the first night of occupation, more than 40 tents were in Grand Circus Park. The protesters endured temperatures in the 40s and rain with strong gusts that knocked out power in many Detroit suburbs.

The occupiers of Grand Circus Park plan on weathering out the harsh fall and winter of Detroit until mid-December.


David Edgar, President of United Auto Workers of Local 869 of Warren, addresses the Occupy Detroit crowd in Grand Circus Park, Friday, Oct. 14. “The troops have to fight overseas, but it’s the same when they come back and have to fight for a job,” shouted Edgar as the crowd erupted in a chant of “That’s not right.”

(story and photos by Tanya Moutzalias | photo editor gcmag.org)

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