MPT at U.S. Social Forum Chase Bank Action

MPT at U.S. Social Forum Chase Bank Action

By: Ray M. Wolfe, MPT Intern

Senior staff at Michigan Peace Team reached out in an attempt to field a large peace team for a march and demonstration at Chase Bank’s headquarters in Detroit during the social forum. They were not disappointed when more than 30 people responded and attended Friday morning the day of the event. I was fortunate enough to spend most of the week in Detroit for the U.S. Social Forum and was honored to be a part of this peace team.

My experience serving on this particular team at this action would prove to be very moving and positive. We broke the larger group into several affinity teams with four or five members each. Sheri was the experienced member in my group and did a great job ge

tting us prepared to be a strong team in the field. I was surprised at how much I found myself caring and looking out for Sheri and the others in my affinity team as the day progressed.

Our team managed to stay together brilliantly throughout the somewhat chaotic rally and march to Chase Towers. One of the hardest things for me was remaining neutral and refraining from chanting and singing with the demonstrators. It took a lot of focus to keep at the task of providing a safe and peaceful space for the people to air their grievances.

Once we arrived at the bank the people all gathered upon the steps and continued their demonstration. The organizers of the event had put together a delegation to try and enter the bank and demand a meeting with senior Chase officers. These were people who were willing to be arrested to draw attention to their struggle. The most humbling and exci

ting part of my day was when our affinity team was asked to surround the delegation in front of the bank’s doors and the legion of police officers defending them.

Sheri consulted the team to be sure we were all okay with providing a barrier between the police and the delegation. We took our places and I was moved to tears at times looking into the faces of those willing to suffer for their principles. One lady in the delegation was 93 years old and she was on the very front lines.

The picture formed in front of those doors was very powerful indeed

with peace team members standing between the police and the protesters and National Lawy

ers Guild members very near by watching diligently. The message seemed to be sent loud and clear to law enforcement and security that they would not be able to trample these people or their rights.

At the end of the day we were successful in providing a safer space for the people to exercise

their right to assemble. The bank agreed to meet with four members of the delegation and committed to a meeting within two weeks to allow the grievances of the community to be expressed and addressed. I am completely convinced that Michigan Peace Team played a critical role in this success and I was very pleased to be a part of it.