Authentically Detroit is a BridgeDetroit partner podcast that tells the stories of Detroiters’ lives through exposition and interview.
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In this episode, hosts Orlando Bailey and Donna Givens Davidson partner with the Lower Eastside Action Plan (LEAP) to discuss the Detroiters Bill of Rights with city council president pro-tem, Mary Sheffield.
The Detroiters’ Bill of Rights is a slate of proposed amendments advanced by councilwoman Raquel Castaneda Lopez, Sheffield, and a coalition of community groups advocating for progressive policies rooted in “racial and social justice.” Proposed policies include prohibition of water shut-offs, reorganizing the Police Commission and restricting the controversial facial recognition technology.
Elements of the Bill of Rights were recently adopted by the city charter. However, Sheffield called out local policy makers who have objected to the slate, “The law is bent and moved to make things work when we want to make it work. But on certain issues, we always get this pushback telling us it’s illegal.”
Concerning the ban on water shutoffs in Detroit, Sheffield said, “There has not been the political will to move this issue forward.”