Tag Archives: Nicole Brown

1,000 march in support of Black Lives Matter in Ypsilanti

By Mark | June 21, 2020

My friend Donald Harrison, one of the founders of the iFFY film festival, took his video equipment to yesterday’s Black Lives Matter march in Ypsi as part of his Citizen Activist Media initiative. Check it out. Ypsilanti Black Lives Matter Protest June 20, 2020 from 7 Cylinders Studio on Vimeo. [As for iFFY, Donald tells […]

Posted in Art and Culture, Civil Liberties, Uncategorized, Ypsilanti | Also tagged Annie Somerville, Beth Bashert, black lives matter, Citizen Activist Media, Donald Harrison, IFFY | 59 Comments

How should a community respond when an elected official admits to racism and asks for another chance?

By Mark | June 18, 2020

Tuesday night, during Ypsilanti’s City Council meeting, Mayor Beth Bashert, when discussing the re-appointment of Ka’Ron Gaines as a City Human Relations Commissioner, said the following. “Since I will be crucified if I vote against any black person on any commission, I’m going to vote yes,” she said. And, with that, yet another political career […]

Posted in Uncategorized, Ypsilanti | Also tagged apology, Beth Bashert, forgiveness, Ka'Ron Gaines, Mayor of Ypsilanti, racism, resignation, retribution, Ypsilanti City Council | 127 Comments

International Village, the final chapter

By Mark | April 9, 2018

Remember how, back in October, Ypsi City Council voted unanimously to pursue a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding a trip to China taken by elected officials and City staff? Well, the investigation, which was conducted by Edward Plato of The Plato Law Firm, has now been concluded, and you can read all about the […]

Posted in Uncategorized, Ypsilanti | Also tagged Amanda Edmonds, Amy Xue Foster, Beth Ernat, business class, China, CSSA, Darwin McClary, economic development, Edward Plato, John Barr, local press, Metro Times, scandals, The Plato Law Firm, Tom Perkins, Tony DeGiusti, Water Street, Wayne State University Chinese Student and Scholar Association, Ypsilanti City Council | 54 Comments

Five thoughts after watching Ypsilanti officials testify in International Village ethics probe

By Mark | October 11, 2017

Last night, there was a special hearing at Ypsi City Hall, during which our Mayor, Mayor Pro-Tem, Police Chief, and Economic Development Director were all questioned under oath about their recent trip to China, and what, if anything, they knew about the funding of the trip, which, contrary to what they’d told the public, really […]

Posted in Water Street Commons, Ypsilanti | Also tagged Amanda Edmonds, Amy Xue Foster, Beth Ernat, China, cider, Community Benefits Agreement, CSSA, Dan Vogt, Darwin McClary, Detroit Metro Times, donuts, EB-5, economic development, ethics, International Village, John Barr, Lois Richardson, Tom Perkins, Tony DeGiusti, transparency, Water Street, Water Street Commons, Wayne State University, Wayne State University Chinese Student and Scholar Association, Ypsilanti City Council | 141 Comments

With the Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem having left the room, Ypsi City Council votes unanimously to pursue a formal investigation into their recent trip to China

By Mark | October 4, 2017

At tonight’s Ypsilanti City Council meeting, as you might imagine, people were anxious to discuss the most recent scandal swirling around the International Village development. Unfortunately, those in the best position to comment didn’t seem to want to talk about it. Mayor Amanda Edmonds, who just last night returned from 10-day trip to China, which […]