Michigan continues to demand ‘ceasefire now!’

Three Michigan cities – Detroit, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo – held ceasefire marches on March 2, answering the call for “Global Ceasefire, End Genocide” actions. On March 3, a car rally streamed through the streets of Detroit and neighboring Oak Park to block traffic on I-696.

In Detroit, Michigan’s largest city, the ceasefire protest gathered at the riverfront Hart Plaza. There demonstrators topped the park flag pole with a Palestinian flag. Chanting loudly in the gentrifying downtown area, the protest clogged the full width of Woodward Avenue en route to a rally at Grand Circus Park, near sports arenas and music venues. 

Lead banners from the Palestinian Youth Movement and Freedom Road Socialist Organization called out the themes of the action: End the genocide on Gaza now! From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free! Hands off Rafah! Victory to the Palestinian resistance! Remember Aaron Bushnell!

These weekend actions continue the outpouring of local ceasefire resolutions across Michigan – in Ann Arbor (City Council and School Board), Canton Township, Dearborn Heights, Dearborn, Detroit, Ferndale, Hamtramck, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Warren, Washtenaw County, Wayne County, Ypsilanti, to start. 

The “Vote Uncommitted” wave begun by 101,000 votes in the Feb. 27 Michigan presidential primary spurred similar electoral expressions on Super Tuesday against the Biden administration’s arming of Israel’s genocide in Palestine.