Today striking graduate workers at the University of Michigan will stage a “Rally for Abolition” on the central Diag.

Graduate workers have been on strike for over three weeks over crucial demands such as a living wage, harassment protections, gender-affirming healthcare for trans workers, and a more equitable child care subsidy. Citing widespread concern about the expensive, ineffective, and dangerous make up of the campus police graduate workers are also calling for the Administration to invest in a peaceful, non-police public safety alternative by committing $3 million towards an unarmed crisis-response program called CROS (Coalition for Reenvisioning Our Safety). 

At the Rally for Abolition that afternoon, organizers from across Southeast Michigan will join with GEO and its Abolition Caucus to draw connections between different struggles against police and military expansion. The Rally is organized by a wide cross-cut of groups pushing for abolition in various forms, including Detroit Will Breathe, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, Defend Affordable Ypsi, and students at the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability. 

Speakers will be available for comment during the rally.

Where: Hatcher Library, Diag entrance 

When: Thursday, April 20th, 2pm

Who: Alejo Stark, Abolition Caucus GEO member

Amir Fleischmann, GEO Contract Chair

Tristan Taylor, Detroit Will Breathe Organizer

Roshan Krishnan, MEJC Policy Associate

Jackson, Ypsilanti activist made subject of Washtenaw court system

Pendle Marshall-Hallmark, GEO member & abolitionist

Brian Geiringer, GEO member

Amber Fellows, Ypsilanti resident

Christiana Beckley, Artist & Organizer