DETROIT, Michigan (WXYZ) — Mayor Mike Duggan Tuesday said Monday the city had a beautiful protest against systemic racism with no violence. He is giving credit to young Detroiters.
The mayor says despite a few problems, the fact that there have been so many peaceful demonstrations says something about the city’s youth. After all there are hate groups working against what they are standing up for. He said Detroit Police investigated a threat against the city on a website.
“Nationally a post from Antifa, calling for violence. And then the investigation showed it wasn’t Antifa at all. It was a white supremacist group that faked the website to create animosity against Antifa. These folks are trying to get us to tear at each other and tear down our cities,” said Mayor Mike Duggan.
Despite the attempts to incite violence The mayor says he has noticed that time and time again young Detroiters are confronting agitators and calling for peace.
WXYZ spoke to teenagers who have been protesting with the leader of Caught Up Mentoring Toson Knight.
“It is our city. We’re here. We’re not going to allow you to destroy it. We’re not going to let you tear it up,” said Knight.
“I don’t want them to destroy the city, so I will be out here trying to make it peaceful everyday,” said Marcus Douthard, a 17-year-old Protester and Caught Up Mentee.
“I am not going to lie. We are going to hold more marches and protests. But I am going to make sure we are safe,” said Stefan Perez, a 16-year-old Protester, as he spoke to the mayor Monday night.
Monday this teen took a megaphone and convinced a crowd to follow the city’s curfew. Mayor Mike Duggan said he will help him make sure his voice is heard.
“On a day when the President of the United States delivered a message of hatred some young people on Third Street showed true leadership, demanded change, and did it in a way that demonstrated love. It is too bad our president can’t get a lesson from our young people,” said Duggan.
Deputy Police Chief Todd Bettison said he wants protesters to know that while Detroit Police are enforcing curfew to prevent violence - they support the message of most protesters. On Sunday he tried to show that - when he heard the crowd chant, “Kneel with us.”
“I kneeled and someone from the crowd tossed something and tear gas was deployed and they dispersed,” said Bettison.
Many in the crowd reacted with disappointment at the person who tossed what appeared to be a water bottle.
The deputy chief said he was disappointed that his action did not have the effect he was hoping for. He wanted to prevent the use of tear gas. He said he was worried his act would garner criticism, but his fellow officers told him they appreciated the gesture.
“What I want everyone to know is I have gotten nothing but love from white officers, black officers. Thanking me for kneeling to support George Floyd. Nothing but thanks,” said Bettison.
Police say they intend to enforce the city’s eight p.m. curfew. Some protesters out on Tuesday said they believe they have the right to practice free speech at any hour and plan to protest beyond the curfew.
Perez refused to march with them due to a disagreement over whether the protest would end at curfew. He said he is concerned outsiders with ulterior motives will harm his city under the cover of darkness.
“I want people to stay safe,” he said.
