Last Saturday, several DJJniks came out to join our community partner, People's Assembly, to distribute materials to southwest businesses regarding available resources to protect immigrant community members who might find themselves targeted by ICE or other anti-immigrant behaviors. We helped to collate packets of materials that contained hotline numbers, general info about the People's Assembly and services it provides, e.g. Know Your Rights Trainings, and handsome poster boards to display in windows that say that the business is welcoming to immigrants. PA did a great job organizing the brief intro education session for us and then we broke into smaller teams to cover designated blocks in southwest Detroit.
Everything about the day was gratifying to an activist's soul--and to DJJ's way of engagement. PA's lead organizer took a moment to acknowledge DJJ's past partnership of immigrant rights campaigns and spoke so movingly of the relationships developed with Bobbi Spigler and Rene Lichtman. To hear her kind words while seeing the turnout of DJJniks to continue in that model of advancing justice through our new partnership with PA was inspiring. The day continued with actual grassroots work--walking down S. Vernor, going from business to business, meeting shop owners and staff, talking with them about their experiences to date with ICE, and offering the information for them, their staff, and customers. They graciously welcomed the information as well as us and as we walked back to our cars at the end of the day, we saw the posters we had distributed hanging in many of the businesses we had visited. (And what a gift to get to know better some of my fellow AMAZING DJJniks!)
Of course, the day wasn't about us; it was about trying to do something to defend against some of the most unconscionable abuses of rights we have seen in our lifetimes. We feel utterly overwhelmed--by all of it. I am grateful to DJJ for providing me an opportunity to participate in fighting back and advancing justice--with small steps, in our own backyard, in relationship with and following the lead of those most impacted by the injustice.
COME JOIN US NEXT TIME!
- Lori Lutz
