Detroit activists angered by the takeover of city finances by an attorney from Washington, D.C., are vowing to “educate and escalate” their protests on Monday, claiming racism is at play.
“It’s obvious that race played into this decision,” said the Rev. Charles Williams III, the head of the Michigan affiliate of Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, in a report from The Daily Caller.
His comments come in context of a planned march on Detroit’s Cobo Hall, where Gov. Rick Snyder will be meeting to discuss the economic future of the city. Mr. Snyder appointed a three-person panel last week to take over the city’s finances; the team is led by Washington, D.C.-based attorney Kevyn Orr — who is also black. Mr. Orr will have the authority to oversee all the city’s finances, to include labor contracts.
“We’re going to educate and also escalate,” said Mr. Williams, in reference to the protest, as The Daily Caller reported. “Between us and all the people for [United Auto Workers], there should be hundreds. There’s going to be action, and escalation around some civil disobedience.”
Mr. Williams cited some examples of what types of civil disobedience to expect — before adding this warning: “There are plenty of people committed to going to jail.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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