Category: Emergent Justice News
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MPSC approves much smaller rate increase for DTE after activists pushed back: Panel OKs $30.6M increase, company asked for $388M hike
BY: ALLISON R. DONAHUE – NOVEMBER 21, 2022 12:18 PM, MICHIGAN ADVANCE The Michigan Public Service Commission authorized last week DTE Electric Co. to implement a $30.6 million rate increase effective Friday — but that’s significantly less than the company’s original request. In January, DTE Electric filed an application seeking a $388 million rate increase, but opponents in…
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We’re Hiring
Interrupt the School to Prison Pipeline as a member of our Wayne County Participatory Defense HUB Team. The Wayne County HUB will focus on adolescents who have either been charged with crimes or are facing punitive measures, such as suspension or expulsion from the public school system. Participatory Defense works with the youth, their family…
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SE Michigan residents blast utility rate hike proposal during Detroit public hearing
BY: KEN COLEMAN – AUGUST 23, 2022 6:36 AM, Michigan Advance For Qiana Davis, it’s a struggle to keep lights and gas on at her Virginia Park home in Detroit. “The [DTE] rates are untenable for anybody,” she said on Monday. “I don’t care how much you’re making. It’s just not feasible for anybody. Most people are living…
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Call to Action: MPSC Hearing
On August 22 at 5pm, Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) will hold a public hearing on the DTE Energy rate case! This is the FIRST TIME they have ever held this type of hearing! And they are doing it because the Defend Black Voters Coalition spoke out and showed up. Now you can help keep the pressure…
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Social justice coalition fights utility rate hike requests
BY: KEN COLEMAN – JULY 28, 2022 12:31 PM The Defend Black Voters Coalition during a public meeting in Detroit on Wednesday called for the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to reject energy rate increases for two utilities. The action came as MPSC considered a request for leading utility companies DTE and Consumers Energy to secure rate increases…
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Blue Cross Blue Shield slammed for donating to Michigan lawmakers who push election lies, voting restrictions
By Steve Neavling on Wed, Jul 20, 2022 at 12:14 pm Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has come under fire for continuing to donate to the campaigns of lawmakers who are pushing voting restrictions and lies about widespread election fraud. The Defend Black Voters Coalition identified $329,000 in contributions from BCBSM to politicians who have pushed…
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Protesters Target Michigan Businesses Over Voter Suppression
State business and political elites at the Mackinac Policy Conference were challenged by community groups over a Republican plan to pass new restrictions on elections and circumvent a veto from the governor. David Moore, @ppolitics JUN 2, 2022 1:12PM EDT In Michigan this week, activists with the Defend Black Voters coalition held a series of…
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Black activists protest voting restrictions by land, air and sea at Mackinac Conference
BY: ALLISON R. DONAHUE AND LAINA G. STEBBINS – JUNE 2, 2022 3:30 PM For a period of time on Tuesday, attendees ferrying to the Mackinac Island Policy Conference were confronted with a protest banner hung from the Round Island Passage Lighthouse: “Loepp, pledge to defend Black voters.” The banner drop, put up by the Defend Black Voters coalition and…
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Coalition calls for Michigan businesses to stop funding voter suppression
by Ken Coleman, Michigan AdvanceDecember 2, 2021 The Defend Black Voters Coalition on Thursday in Detroit called on Michigan companies to cut off funding to legislators who support what they described as “voter suppression legislation.” “These businesses have made statements supporting Black Lives Matter or opposing voter suppression,” said Jennifer Disla, Detroit Action co-executive director…
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Gifts in Gratitude
Now through November 27th, express your gratitude for a person, group or organization that has made a difference in your life by making a donation in their name to Emergent Justice. Your donation will support our work of empowering communities to unapologetically fight to dismantle all systems of injustice throughout Michigan. To make your Gift…