Dear Chief Craig;
It is essential that you make a clear statement about your stance on the federal government sending paramilitary-like officers in unmarked vans to infiltrate protest areas in Detroit.
While you issued a very brief state- ment that Detroit can police itself, neither you nor Mayor Duggan has issued a strong proclamation that you would not accept the federal government’s assistance.
In response to these unwelcome federal officers taking peaceful protesters off the streets of Portland without identifying themselves (which is a civil rights violation), we urge you to stand up for those you swore an oath to protect: the citizens of Detroit.
It is your duty and responsibility to continue to protect and serve our residents and safeguard their right to peaceful protest.
We are proud that our governor and U.S. representative have issued strong statements opposing such unwarranted intervention. We are looking to you to join them in denouncing these actions. As our public safety leader, we expect you to take an aggressive approach against this political and physical bullying and assure residents and peaceful protesters that DPD does not need outside help in protecting our rights.
We anticipate that you will openly and proactively support these statements:
- There will be no unmarked vans with federal officers abducting people off the streets of Detroit
- There will be no need for mothers or other supporters to protect peaceful protesters from authorities.
- There will be no federal police (secret or otherwise) to add to tensions in Detroit
- There will be no violation of anyone’s civil rights
We are looking to you to lead in resisting any such federal intrusion.
Sincerely,
The Residents and Workers of Detroit and The Black Compassion Action Team
(Black CAT)
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