Friend,

For 109 days, Detroiters have been in the streets, marching for racial justice.

During this time, our neighbors have been subjected to an illegal abuse of power by the Detroit Police Department, including police using batons, shields, rubber bullets, tear gas and pepper spray, and choke holds against peaceful protestors, members of the free press, and legal observers. This violates our residents' First Amendment right to protest and our Fourth Amendment right to be free from excessive force.

While I have joined with local elected leaders in demanding an independent investigation into the Detroit Police Department’s troubling actions, our allies at Detroit Will Breathe—who have been leading the protests on the ground—have brought a federal lawsuit against DPD and the City of Detroit.

Detroit Will Breathe has won an initial court order, temporarily stopping abusive police practices against protesters. And while we should not have to go to court to protect ourselves from police brutality, the judge’s order clearly tells us that something is wrong with police practices and must be addressed.

As Detroit Will Breathe moves forward with the federal lawsuit, it will require taking depositions from the Mayor, the Chief of Police, individual officers, as well as our plaintiffs who have had their rights violated.

Detroit Will Breathe has set up a GoFundMe page to directly support the lawsuit—defending protesters against abuse by the Detroit Police Department. I’ve been proud to stand alongside our allies at Detroit Will Breathe. Will you pitch in today to support their federal lawsuit and defend protesters against unlawful, violent actions by the Detroit Police Department?

This lawsuit is already costing thousands of dollars, with each deposition costing between $800 - $1,500 just to pay court reporters to transcribe interviews with witnesses and involved parties, including the Mayor and Police Chief.

In order to seek a permanent injunction against Detroit Police—barring them from using batons, chemical weapons, and chokeholds against protestors—the lawsuit will need to employ expert witnesses, further adding to the legal costs.

Will you join me in supporting Detroit Will Breathe’s federal lawsuit against the Detroit Police Department and the City of Detroit?

Across the country, people are rising up, demanding racial justice and freedom from police violence. I hope you’ll join me today in defending the rights of Detroiters.

In solidarity,

Rashida