Protestors Rally Over EFM In Detroit
DETROIT (WWJ) - A day after Mayor Dave Bing says an Emergency Financial Manager in Detroit is inevitable, protesters took to the streets to call on the Justice Department to intervene.
In front of the 211 W. Fort Street building, which houses offices of federal prosecutors, some protestors carried signs that read 'Fighting For Democracy' -- they are against an EFM in Detroit. The Rev. Charles Williams II with National Action Network, along with other groups, helped organize the rally. He says the law attacks voting rights and he's not convinced it will fix Detroit's financial problems.
"We're here as Detroiters sending the Detroit branch of the United States Department of Justice a message, and that is that we need federal intervention. We're calling on Barbara McQuade, we're calling on Attorney General Eric Holder, to intervene on what we think is anti-democratic and an attack on voting rights, which is the emergency management law," says Williams.
Meantime, several people who were part of a slow-moving caravan to draw attention to the issue were pulled over on their way to the rally.
Attorney Herb Sanders says they were ticketed by Michigan State Police for driving under the speed limit on I-75.
"The efforts of the folks who were in the caravan was to draw attention to the pending emergency manager legislation. And to let people know that individuals can effect the circumstances in this city with just a small cadre of folks," says Sanders.
Sanders also received a ticket. He plans to contest the ticket in court. Sanders tells WWJ that two people in the caravan were arrested for, reportedly, having problems with their licenses.
Protesters plan to rally Friday outside the Detroit Athletic Club where Governor Rick Snyder is scheduled to speak.
