Detroit

THE LIVE FREE DETROIT COALITION IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE NATIONAL LIVE FREE CAMPAIGN. 

Supporting Facts

All people, regardless of race, have inherent value and deserve to live free from violence, access the full rights of American citizenship and reach new opportunities for a better future.

 

 

 

And yet, the reality is that black and brown people are criminalized and dehumanized as the country immorally justifies their killing and allows them to get lost in the maze of the broken criminal justice system.

We know that communities with high crime rates also have high unemployment, underachieving schools and a lack of resources. By fixing the systemic barriers that block us from addressing the root causes of violence, we can reduce violence and end mass incarceration.

The persistent portrayal of black and brown youth by everyday Americans and the media as violent, dangerous and as the “other” has eroded the moral character of our nation and has left us unwilling and unable to see their humanity and care about their lives.

When our neighbors call on us, we will answer, because we love and care for their well-being. It is up to us to ensure that when young people wake up to go to school, they can learn and be successful; and when they return home at night, they feel safe and free from violence and trauma.

People of color – especially young men – are disproportionately impacted by gun violence and mass incarceration.

In the past 35 years, nearly 13 times more black children have been killed than the total number of black people lynched in the 86 years between 1882 and 1968.

COALITION MEMBERS

Church of the Messiah

Church of the Messiah Our congregation is made up of 60 % African American men under the age of 30. One of the church’s main areas of work, BLVD Harambee, is a non-profit organization helping foster life skills and connect resources for the holistic development of young people in the neighborhood.  BLVD Harambee was created by the Episcopal Church of the Messiah to promote Empowerment, Education, Employment, Enlightenment and Entertainment.

New Era Detroit

New Era Detroit is bringing back Black love and unity one man, one woman, one child, one community at a time. Our work is focused on planting a new mindset of accountability within our communities as well as preparing our people to positively contribute to the growth and development of our neighborhoods. Our established programs demonstrate key concepts in action that support our goals- community engagement is the foundation.

We build community relationships that develop organic bonds which lead to trust and understanding with our people. We work towards economic empowerment by helping our people achieve home and business ownership while supporting Black owned businesses to unify our own economic base.

Our youth programs work to challenge young minds and create a new generation of young Black professionals. NED does NOT promote hate towards any other race; we focus instead on the love of our own FIRST, implementing accountability, action and consistency across the country.

NEW ERA DETROIT, WE ARE WHO WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR!

BYP100 – Detroit Chapter

Black Youth Project 100 is an African American youth organization in the United States. Its activities include community organizing, voter mobilization, and other social justice campaigns focused on black, feminist, and queer issues.

Eyes Wide Open Hope Detroit

Founded by Ortegus Jackson “for the upliftment of fallen humanity, to protect and serve our woman, children and elders.” Eyes Wide Open Hope Detroit is a non-progft that provides services for the homeless community.

Black Bottom Gun Club

The first chapter member of the National African American Gun Association in Michigan. Based out of and serving Detroit and the surrounding cities, the Black Bottom Gun Club is named after the historic African American neighborhood that endured The Great Depression though World War II.

Our goals are to promote and train for safe and responsible gun ownership, self defense, and sportsmanship. We place an emphasis on understanding state gun laws. While the Black Bottom Gun Club is open to all races and ethnicities, we unapologetically place primacy on and center the unique needs and interests of African Americans relative to the Second Amendment.