News & Commentary

Slave patrols were committees of white men established to monitor, track, capture and torture enslaved Africans. Eventually, these groups supplanted local sheriffs and constables as the primary law enforcers, and they became what we now know as police departments. It is perhaps impossible to count the number of African and African-descended people who have died at the hands of slave patrols and police since the slave era. What we do know is that in the aftermath of each highly publicized act of police brutality, there are many who sing the refrain of a popular song in this country.

The City of Detroit had the wrong man, and Walter Hicks knew it.

Meet Lakyrra Magee, a Social Theory & Practice and Women Studies dual major at the University of Michigan. Lakyrra is one of the ACLU of Michigan’s undergrad interns for the summer of 2016.

Although it has received scant media attention, a lawsuit filed in late June by members of Detroit’s school board, activists and parents could undo the controversial education system Gov. Rick Snyder and the Michigan Legislature have created for the city.

ACLU at the Michigan Capitol – The Week of July 11, 2016

DETROIT –A federal judge today signaled that the first federal safe drinking water case on the Flint water crisis could proceed over protests from the City of Flint and Michigan state officials.

Monday will go down in history as day of celebration. In a total victory for reproductive freedom, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decisive ruling on Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, the most important abortion rights case before the high court in over 20 years. 

EXCERPTED FROM THE METRO TIMES

ACLU at the Michigan Capitol – June 27, 2016