On Monday, Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield hosted a rally alongside artist-activists Royce Da 5’9, Trick Trick, K-Deezy, Icewear Vezzo and other community activists calling for peaceful dialogue after a weekend full of protests in Detroit.
One by one, each artist and activist shared their own account of how they feel protest should progress peacefully, encouraging attendees to take a vested interest in who is elected locally and nationally. Highlighting the importance of staying informed and designing unified demonstrations. Additionally, being courageous in not allowing others to direct the narrative, exposing who is causing the destruction and disruption to our communities and holding the provocateurs accountable.
Detroit Free Press quotes Royce echoing Trick Trick’s “No Fly Zone” statement:
We drove it home loud and clear that we won’t tolerate anyone coming from outside the city looking to destroy it. Unfortunately, it comes along with it, but we just have to assemble to where they won’t be able to do that.
Detroit City Council President expressed her support: “I hear you. I feel for you. And it is okay to be upset and to be angry”, Sheffield said before pointing out other means of political struggle. “We can rally all we want but if we don’t get people in office that have the courage to tackle the system of oppression in this country, we are wasting our time”.
