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Photo courtesy of Joe Montgomery.

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In January 2017, amid nationwide response to the inauguration of President Donald Trump, many major cities and even smaller towns saw resistance gatherings in the form of Women’s Marches, focusing on issues of sexism at a national level. While most chose to align themselves with the national Women’s March organization, Ypsilanti, as it often does, did things a little differently. On Friday and Saturday, January 20th and 21st 2017, an organization known as LRAY, or Love Resilience Action Ypsilanti, held a two day event which focused on issues of community building and resistance, as well as issues of sexism, racism, classism, and homophobia. They also held a march in January 2018, with a chief focus on issues of gentrification in the local community.

Podcast speakers:

 

Dr. Beth Currans

Dr. Beth Currans is Associate Professor and Interim Department Head of Women’s and Gender Studies at Eastern Michigan University. 

Ms. Desiraé Simmons

Ms. Desiraé Simmons is Co-Director of the Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice.

Dr. Mariah Zeisberg

Dr. Mariah Zeisberg is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Michigan.

Zine from 2017-18 courtesy of Sara Walsh.

Protest in front of Ypsilanti Urban Renewal office, 811 Madison. Ann Arbor News May 27, 1961. From Ann Arbor District Library newspapers collections.

Photo courtesy of Jen Eastridge.

Protest in front of Ypsilanti Urban Renewal office, 811 Madison. Ann Arbor News May 27, 1961. From Ann Arbor District Library newspapers collections.

Ms. Simmons and Dr. Zeisberg during the event. Photo courtesy of Dr. Zeisberg.

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