Peace WTP fam, April has been a month of emergence and so much growth! Our teams have been fusing their amazing skill sets, their diligence and creativity to fight for our people across the state. This month, we saw that ORGANIZING WORKS in all the power building we have been doing for a Michigan that honors the dignity of all people, regardless of any human made constructs. Let’s dig in– 

picture of Drive Michigan Forward Coalition and migrant leaders

On April 23, 2023, introduction of the Drive SAFE bills!

Last week, our Communications Director and Social Media Strategist, Eli Day and Tanisha Pyron, hit a Kerry Washington-sponsored convening in LA, which brought together grassroots communicators from around the country to share strategies on storytelling and audience engagement. As they put it: “It was great to learn and collaborate so closely with a group of brilliant storytellers and organizers. We’re really honored to be marching toward a better world with them where everyone everywhere can flourish for generations.”

picture of Michigan Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, speaks at a media event Wednesday in Lansing. She and other Democrats and supports say they are confident they can pass a law granting driver licenses to undocumented workers. (Bridge photo by Jonathan Oosting)

We joined the sponsors of the Drive SAFE bills, the Drive Michigan Forward Coalition, and other groups during a press conference on bill introduction day. According to the Michigan League of Public Policy, if the bills were to become law, approximately 55,000 people could obtain driver’s licenses in the first three years of it taking effect. Read more about the bills below. 

Eviction defenders gather in an attempt to keep police and bailiffs out of Taura Brown’s home in the Cass Community Social Services Tiny Home program. Brown lost a court battle to retain the property. (Photo by Eli Day) 

Our comms director wrote a timely piece about eviction defense in the city, “an act of civil disobedience designed to expose the cruelty of legal court proceedings that end with people being ejected from homes and onto the street.” Read the full story below! 

A Kalamazoo Housing meeting was held to discuss rent control amid the rising housing crisis. (Phil Gawel/WWMT)

Our organizers are also holding house meetings to discuss the skyrocketing rent rates. “Housing is a human right, since COVID rent rates have gone up astronomically, almost double. It is way past time for some rent control,” Samad Nadeem, We The People Action Fund said. Read the full story below!

picture of Migrant leaders tracing a banner

The leaders of our Migrant Leader School, Detroit Chapter, created a beautiful banner during an art build we hosted. We partnered with Garage Cultural who held an intentional space to skill share and create community. We now know how to create powerful banners for future actions!

In honor of national poetry month we wanted to highlight Nandi Comer, the state’s first poet laureate in more than 60 years! Comer, an award-winning writer, grew up in Detroit, graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in English and Spanish and has served as a writer-in-residence in Detroit Public Schools and community centers. Read more about what this appointment means for Michigan, plus a great Q&A with the poet laureate!