Blog Posts

Will Shakespeare Groundcover vendor No. 258 “We need to commemorate her artistry, her poetry, her motherhood, her being in this world. She had friends and family, she had spirit. She loved. She stood up for herself. She did not need to die. We demand justice for Aura Rosser."  — Radical Washtenaw Magazine, 2015 The story … Continue reading The tragedy of Aura Rosser: Police brutality, domestic violence and community policing reform

Ruby Barron Groundcover contributor The Ampersee Encampment was located in a former industrial site near the Growlers Stadium in Kalamazoo. It was home to almost 150 residents after nearly tripling in size this June. The city planned to evict the camp on September 29, citing concerns about health and safety of the residents. However residents … Continue reading Where will they go? Over 100 people displaced as Kalamazoo Public Safety sweeps Tent City

Alexa Culbert Groundcover contributor I am a veteran. A label only eight percent of the American population can claim. Like many before me, I enlisted into the military when I was eighteen years old, and I went on to serve a total of seven years on active duty. The military set my life on a … Continue reading  I transitioned to civilian life but many vets still struggle

We are in a critical moment. In the midst of an ongoing global pandemic that is leaving no family untouched, compounded by increasingly extreme weather events linked to climate change, a unique global art project is shining a light on voices essential to the ecological solutions and collective healing we seek: Indigenous women. ‘Thriving Peoples, … Continue reading Thriving Peoples, Thriving Places: Poster campaign highlights the contributions of Indigenous women to global biodiversity

POP organizers  For a little over a year now, community members have been working together to organize monthly or bi-monthly events called Pull Over Prevention & Mutual Aid Fairs (POP). At the heart of these events is a DIY volunteer-run auto repair service that provides free repairs of broken brake lights, headlights, license plate lights … Continue reading Pulling for each other with Pull Over Prevention

By Will Shakespeare Groundcover vendor No. 258 Mural for National Hispanic Heritage Month by David Valdez “We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success." — The National Archives, 2021 Hispanic Heritage Month is seen as a celebration of histories, cultures and … Continue reading Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

Peter Larson Groundcover contributor Water is essential to human life, but water can also be a hazard to human health. Climate change has led to ever more unpredictable and intense weather events. With more than 80 severe weather warnings in Southeast Michigan this year, this summer is one of the most unusual in Michigan’s history. … Continue reading Keeping our heads and homes above water: flooding and health in Detroit

By Ken Parks Groundcover vendor No. 490 In 1891 Jose Marti was writing about Our America based on his experience as a Cuban who spent some years as a journalist in the United States of America. He observed how the giant of the north was concluding 300 years of Indian Wars that began with the … Continue reading Discovering America

By Andre Vasher Groundcover contributor Re-opening after gaining traction in late 2019, the Recuperative Care program run by the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County returns in full force. The Recuperative Care program first opened at the Robert J. Delonis Center to provide immediate shelter and part-time nursing support to homeless persons discharged from hospitals but … Continue reading Shelter Association Recuperative Care reopens in Washtenaw County

By Lindsay Calka Publisher Tenant activist addresses Washtenaw Apartment's Association after occupying the kickball field, preventing the game from happening. On August 12, the Washtenaw Area Apartment Association’s “Kickball Game and Picnic,” a networking event for landlords, had some unexpected attendees: tenants.  A broad coalition of tenants’ rights activists gathered in protest at Frisinger Park … Continue reading Local renters and housing activists say no to landlord games