The 2014 Detroit Bankruptcy
D'Artagnan Collier, David Walsh speak in defense of the DIA and culture as a social right
By Bryan Dyne, 15 June 2013
Collier and Walsh discussed the defense of culture as part of a program and perspective for the working class.
What the WSWS said about the Detroit Institute of Arts millage
15 June 2013
We are reposting below a statement originally published by the WSWS last August opposing a property tax promoted by the political and corporate establishment of Detroit and Michigan for the ostensible purpose of “saving” the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Detroit emergency manager meets with city’s creditors, presents slash-and-burn plan
By Bryan Dyne, 15 June 2013
Kevyn Orr met with Detroit’s creditors in a closed-door meeting to outline how he intends to restructure the city on behalf of the wealthy.
Detroit emergency manager prepares privatization of trash collection
By James Brewer, 15 June 2013
Orr’s office claims that the privatization will save the city $15 million a year.
Who are Detroit’s creditors?
By Nancy Hanover, 14 June 2013
As Detroit’s emergency manager prepares to release his plan for reorganizing the poorest large city in America, the media is demanding that the population of Detroit pay.
Detroit workers and youth speak out against attacks by emergency manager
By our reporters, 13 June 2013
The threats to sell off city assets, particularly the Detroit Institute of Arts, has provoked widespread opposition across the city.
No to Orr and the bankers’ dictatorship! For a working class and socialist alternative to the looting of Detroit!
Statement of D’Artagnan Collier, Socialist Equality Party candidate for Detroit mayor
12 June 2013
This statement was distributed Monday, June 10 at the first public meeting of the Detroit emergency manager, Kevyn Orr.
Detroit emergency manager holds stage-managed “public” meeting
By Bryan Dyne, 12 June 2013
Kevyn Orr held his required public meeting Monday night where he presented his plans for austerity.
Interview with artist Jef Bourgeau about the threat to the Detroit Institute of Arts
“Art shapes the way you see the world”
By David Walsh and Joanne Laurier, 12 June 2013
We recently spoke to Detroit-area artist Jef Bourgeau about the threat to sell off major works of the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) and related matters.
SEP mayoral candidate speaks at two Detroit election forums
By Bryan Dyne, 11 June 2013
D’Artagnan Collier, the Socialist Equality Party’s candidate for Detroit Mayor, spoke at candidate forums Friday and Saturday, calling for a mass movement of the working class to oppose the financial manager.
Socialist Equality Party candidate campaigns against Detroit Institute of Arts selloff
By Andre Damon, 10 June 2013
D’Artagnan Collier spoke to workers and youth about threats to sell off the DIA’s art to pay off Detroit’s bondholders.
Bankers to gather in Detroit to plot asset-stripping
By Nancy Hanover, 10 June 2013
Municipal bankruptcy would facilitate the abrogation of labor contracts, pave the way for large-scale layoffs and put pensions at risk.
Trial begins for Detroit police officer who killed seven-year-old
By James Brewer, 8 June 2013
Joseph Weekley, the police officer who shot 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones in a 2010 raid, is the defendant in the case.
Socialist Equality Party continues campaign against Detroit evictions
By Tom Hall, 7 June 2013
Tenants threatened with eviction from the Henry Street apartment complex and students from nearby Cass Tech high school spoke with supporters of SEP Detroit mayoral candidate D’Artagnan Collier.
Hamtramck latest Michigan city declared in “financial emergency”
By Bryan Dyne, 6 June 2013
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder took the first step in installing an emergency manager for Hamtramck, the small enclave surrounded by Detroit.
SEP campaign to hold June 13 meeting in Detroit: Hands off the DIA
The defense of culture and the crisis in Detroit
5 June 2013
SEP Detroit mayoral candidate D'Artagnan Collier will speak in defense of the DIA and culture in Detroit.
Detroit plans to sell off closed fire stations
By Bryan Dyne, 5 June 2013
Seven fire stations and the former firehouse headquarters are being sold by the city in order to pay part of Detroit's long-term debt.
Detroit emergency manager threatens sale of all cultural treasures
By Bryan Dyne, 4 June 2013
In line with his earlier appraisal of the value of the works at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Kevyn Orr is now determining whether the city should sell off every other public asset.
Mackinac business conference sets anti-working class agenda for Detroit
By Bryan Dyne, 3 June 2013
The Detroit Regional Chamber last week hosted the annual Mackinac Policy Conference in northern Michigan.
D'Artagnan Collier, SEP candidate for Detroit mayor, speaks on the social crisis in Detroit
By Bryan Dyne, 1 June 2013
D'Artagnan Collier advanced a program and perspective for the working class of Detroit to fight back against the cuts and privatizations happening in the city.
Defend the DIA! Culture is a social right!
D’Artagnan Collier—SEP candidate for mayor of Detroit, 30 May 2013
The following statement was issued by SEP Detroit mayoral candidate D’Artagnan Collier in opposition to plans to sell off the masterpieces at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
The threat to sell off the works in the Detroit Institute of Arts
By David Walsh, 29 May 2013
The news that Detroit’s emergency manager, Kevyn Orr, is thinking of selling the DIA’s art collection to help pay the city’s creditors has provoked widespread anger.
Workers, students speak on plans to sell Detroit Institute of Art masterpieces
By a WSWS reporting team, 27 May 2013
A World Socialist Web Site reporting team spoke to workers and young people visiting the DIA about the proposal to sell the museum’s art collection.
Emergency manager considers selling off Detroit Institute of Arts collection
By Bryan Dyne, 25 May 2013
The DIA, one of the leading fine arts museums in the US, is being considered as an asset Detroit could sell off to help pay the city’s debt.
SEP campaigners oppose Detroit home evictions
By a campaign team, 24 May 2013
Supporters of Socialist Equality Party Detroit mayoral candidate D’Artagnan Collier spoke this week to residents facing eviction at the Henry Street apartments.
Emergency manager to decide on Detroit bankruptcy within six weeks
By Bryan Dyne, 23 May 2013
Detroit’s emergency manager is using the threat of bankruptcy to extract massive cuts from city workers.
Emergency Meeting: A workers program to answer the crisis in Detroit
By D’Artagnan Collier—Socialist Equality Party candidate for Detroit mayor, 22 May 2013
A call for workers and youth to attend an emergency meeting on the crisis in Detroit.
Hedge funds eye Detroit for “hostile takeover”
By Zac Corrigan, 21 May 2013
Detroit’s $8.6 billion in junk bond debt is being eyed by hedge funds eager to play their part in the looting of the city.
Detroit mayoral candidate D’Artagnan Collier campaigns at Eastern Market
By Thomas Gaist, 20 May 2013
Collier spoke to workers and youth about his mayoral campaign, the fight against the emergency manager and the conditions facing Detroiters.
Workers must reject emergency manager’s plan for Detroit
D’Artagnan Collier—Socialist Equality Party candidate for Detroit mayor, 20 May 2013
The Socialist Equality Party candidate for mayor of Detroit is calling on the city’s working class to reject the economic plan put forward by the city’s emergency manager, Kevyn Orr.
SEP mayoral candidate outlines socialist program at Detroit election forum
By Thomas Gaist, 18 May 2013
D’Artagnan Collier, the Socialist Equality Party’s candidate for Detroit mayor, spoke at a mayoral forum on the emergency manager, the social crisis in Detroit and the way forward for the working class.
SEP candidate D’Artagnan Collier on ballot for Detroit mayor race
By Jerry White, 16 May 2013
D’Artagnan Collier, the Socialist Equality Party’s candidate for mayor of Detroit, will be on the ballot for the August 6 primary election.
Detroit’s emergency manager throws down the gauntlet
By Joseph Kishore, 15 May 2013
Detroit is on the front lines of a national and international strategy of the corporate and financial elite, in which increasingly dictatorial methods are being employed to force through deeply unpopular measures.
Detroit’s emergency manager outlines slash and burn “restructuring” plan
By Jerry White, 14 May 2013
Kevyn Orr released a report on Monday, outlining a “comprehensive restructuring plan” for the city involving savage cuts to city workers’ jobs, wages and pensions and the elimination of services to a large section of the population.
SEP Detroit mayoral campaign wins support from workers
By Shannon Jones, 13 May 2013
D’Artagnan Collier joined an SEP campaign team Saturday at Detroit’s Eastern Market.
Video: Detroit tenants denounce mass evictions
By Jerome White and James Brewer, 11 May 2013
Hundreds of low-income Detroit residents are being forced from their homes as part of a plan by Detroit officials to gentrify the downtown area.
D’Artagnan Collier turns in petitions for Detroit mayoral campaign
By Thomas Gaist and Bryan Dyne, 11 May 2013
The SEP submitted one thousand signatures to gain ballot status for the August primary.
Unions, ministers organize protest in Detroit over fast-food worker pay
By Shannon Jones, 11 May 2013
The Detroit protests held Friday at locations across the city shut down several fast-food restaurants.
Detroit’s emergency manager prepares anti-working class financial plan
By Bryan Dyne, 10 May 2013
Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr will submit a report Monday that will be the pretext for an accelerated offensive against the working class in Detroit.
Seniors face eviction in Detroit gentrification plan
By a WSWS reporting team, 8 May 2013
Retired workers living in a rent-subsidized senior housing building in downtown Detroit are facing eviction.
Obama education secretary, Michigan governor promote school “reform”
By Jerry White, 7 May 2013
Obama administration Education Secretary Arne Duncan joined Michigan’s Republican Governor Rick Snyder on Monday to promote the attack on teachers and public education.
Campaign teams for D’Artagnan Collier exceed signature goal in Detroit mayoral race
By an SEP campaign team, 6 May 2013
Campaigners for D’Artagnan Collier, the Socialist Equality candidate for mayor of Detroit, have exceeded their signature goal to put Collier on the ballot.
Two die in northeast Detroit house fire
By Bryan Dyne, 3 May 2013
An elderly couple, one of whom was disabled, died in a house fire in northeast Detroit, the latest fire-related tragedy in the city.
Stop the mass evictions in Detroit!
D’Artagnan Collier—Socialist Equality Party candidate for Detroit mayor, 3 May 2013
The following statement was issued by SEP Detroit mayoral candidate D’Artagnan Collier to oppose the eviction of 300 tenants of the Henry Street apartments in Cass Corridor.
Free health screening in Detroit draws thousands
By a WSWS reporting team, 2 May 2013
Both the uninsured and underinsured turned out at the event held this week at Cobo Convention Center.
Detroit residents speak out against mass evictions
By a campaign team, 1 May 2013
Residents of the Henry Street apartments, located in Detroit’s Cass Corridor, held a tenants meeting on Sunday to fight the eviction from their homes on May 20.
Explosion at Detroit oil refinery raises danger of wider disaster
By Bryan Dyne, 30 April 2013
The explosion of a diesel fuel tank at the Marathon Detroit Refinery raises the specter of a larger industrial disaster in the Detroit area.
Campaigners for D’Artagnan Collier near signature goal in Detroit mayoral race
By an SEP campaign team, 29 April 2013
Supporters of the Socialist Equality Party have collected close to the 1,000 signature goal to place Collier on the ballot for Detroit mayor.
Detroit residents face eviction as officials gentrify downtown region
By Lawrence Porter, 27 April 2013
Elderly and handicapped residents of a apartment complex near downtown have been told to leave within a month, and police have begun transporting the homeless outside of city limits.
SEP campaigns to put D’Artagnan Collier on the ballot for Detroit mayor
By an SEP campaign team, 27 April 2013
SEP supporters campaigned throughout the week to put D’Artagnan Collier on the Detroit mayoral ballot, collecting petition signatures at many locations around Detroit.
The Detroit crisis and the municipal bond racket
Timeline of Detroit debt crisis
By Jerry White, 26 April 2013
Detroit is one of many US cities that have taken on crushing levels of debt in response to the Crash of 2008 and to offset cuts in federal aid and state revenue.
Snyder administration plot to privatize Michigan schools exposed
By Jerry White, 24 April 2013
Officials in Governor Rick Snyder’s administration have been holding secret meetings to map out a strategy to finance corporate-run schools with public funds.
SEP mayoral campaign in Detroit wins strong support in first week
By Lawrence Porter, 24 April 2013
The campaign to place D’Artagnan Collier, a city worker and member of the Socialist Equality Party, on the ballot for mayor of Detroit has gotten off to a strong start.
Detroit emergency manager proclaims power to end collective bargaining
By James Brewer, 23 April 2013
Emergency manager Kevyn Orr claims he is under no legal obligation to participate in bargaining with public safety employees, including police, firefighters and emergency medical responders.
Support D’Artagnan Collier, Socialist Equality Party candidate for mayor of Detroit!
Throw out the emergency manager! End the bankers’ dictatorship in Detroit!
Socialist Equality Party (US), 19 April 2013
The Socialist Equality Party (US) is running D’Artagnan Collier as its candidate for mayor of Detroit. The following is his statement announcing the campaign.
Sequestration cuts hit Michigan
By Lawrence Porter, 18 April 2013
As a result of the sequester cuts signed by President Obama, $150 million will be cut from programs that particularly affect the poor in Michigan.
Emergency manager to select former law firm as Detroit’s “restructuring counsel”
By Bryan Dyne, 17 April 2013
Emergency manager Kevyn Orr is set to select his old law firm, Jones Day, to oversee the restructuring of Detroit’s debt on behalf of the bondholders and banks.
Emergency manager to impose contract on Detroit firefighters
By WSWS reporting team, 16 April 2013
Detroit firefighters will have a new contract imposed on them by emergency manager Kevyn Orr starting July 1.
WSWS 15th anniversary meeting held in Detroit
By Shannon Jones, 16 April 2013
David North, WSWS international editorial board chairman and SEP (US) national chairman, addressed the meeting, drawing attention to the programmatic and theoretical foundations of the WSWS.
Detroit Mayor Bing proposes $300 million cut in city budget
By Bryan Dyne, 15 April 2013
The final decision on all spending will be made by the city’s emergency manager.
Detroit workers, youth denounce emergency manager
By Bryan Dyne, 12 April 2013
Detroit city workers and youth are deeply concerned that they will be targeted by the cuts to social services and public works to be carried out by the emergency manager.
Detroit area gas explosion reveals deadly state of pipeline infrastructure
By James Brewer, 11 April 2013
Utility company Consumers Energy released an interim report that covers up its responsibility in a recent lethal explosion.
Detroit emergency manager prepares to attack pensions
By Lawrence Porter, 10 April 2013
Detroit’s newly installed emergency manager, Kevyn Orr, is preparing to target the pensions and health care benefits of retired city workers.
A Call to Action
Oppose the bankers’ dictatorship in Detroit!
the Socialist Equality Party, 8 April 2013
For an indefinite period of time, Detroit’s emergency manager, Kevyn Orr, can enact laws, replace all elected officials, deploy the police, rip up contracts and assume all the powers of government.
Multi-billionaire Dan Gilbert seeks to cash in on Detroit’s financial dictatorship
By Lawrence Porter, 6 April 2013
Dan Gilbert, the multi-billionaire owner of Quicken Loans, has unveiled a plan to gentrify downtown Detroit with the aid of the newly installed emergency manager.
Wayne State University IYSSE holds meeting opposing financial dictatorship in Detroit
By Bryan Dyne, 6 April 2013
SEP National Secretary Joseph Kishore spoke to an audience of students, retirees and workers at a public meeting called to oppose the appointment of a financial manager in Detroit.
Emergency manager’s ex-law firm hired to oversee Detroit restructuring
By Bryan Dyne, 3 April 2013
Jones Day, the law firm where Kevyn Orr worked before becoming Detroit’s emergency financial manager, has been retained by the city of Detroit as its “re-structuring counsel.”
Detroit workers speak against emergency manager
By a WSWS reporting team, 1 April 2013
WSWS reporters spoke to Detroiters over the weekend about the appointment of Kevyn Orr as emergency manager of the city.
World Socialist Web Site 15th Anniversary Meeting in Detroit
Mobilizing the working class against the bankers’ dictatorship
1 April 2013
We call on workers and young people throughout the region to attend this important April 14 meeting on the 15th anniversary of the WSWS
Detroit’s emergency manager keeps mayor, city council on payroll
By Bryan Dyne and Shannon Jones, 30 March 2013
Kevyn Orr’s first act as Detroit’s emergency financial manager was to restore the wages of the mayor and the city council.
New law granting Detroit emergency manager sweeping authority goes into effect
By Jerry White, 29 March 2013
Powerful financial interests are using Detroit as a test case for imposing deeply unpopular measures in line with what is occurring in Cyprus, Greece and other European countries.
Tensions high at Chrysler Warren Stamping in wake of victimization
By Shannon Jones, 28 March 2013
Skilled trades worker Alex Wassell was fired for opposing the Alternative Work Schedule, recently implemented at the plant.
Emergency Financial Manager takes over Detroit
By Bryan Dyne, 26 March 2013
Kevyn Orr began the first day of his eighteen-month tenure as the state-appointed Emergency Financial Manager (EFM) of Detroit on Monday.
Detroit water and sewerage workers reject concession demands
By Jerry White, 26 March 2013
City workers at Detroit’s giant wastewater treatment plant overwhelmingly voted to reject a contract pushed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 25.
Detroit Democratic politicans promote racial politics over emergency manager
By Larry Porter and Bryan Dyne, 25 March 2013
Detroit’s City Council and union bureaucrats declared that the financial takeover of the city was racist, even though the emergency manager himself is black.
Detroit Water and Sewerage Workers denounce contract
By a WSWS reporting team, 23 March 2013
The six-year sellout agreement is aimed at locking in place the automatic deduction of union dues from workers’ paychecks.
Detroit teachers and city workers:
Reject the concessions contracts! Mobilize against financial dictatorship in Detroit!
the Socialist Equality Party, 22 March 2013
This statement is being distributed to Detroit teachers and workers at the Water and Sewerage Department, voting on contracts today.
On eve of emergency manager take-over
Unions move to ram through concessions against Detroit workers
By Jerry White and Bryan Dyne, 21 March 2013
The sweeping concessions demanded from teachers and the city’s municipal employees give a picture of the draconian measures planned for the entire working class.
The managed bankruptcy of GM and Chrysler: A model for the assault on Detroit
By Jerry White, 19 March 2013
Detroit’s new Emergency Financial Manager is considering a “managed bankruptcy” to slash jobs, wages and pensions.
Detroit emergency manager threatens municipal bankruptcy
By Lawrence Porter, 18 March 2013
One day after being named Detroit’s emergency manager, Kevyn Orr threatened to use the bankruptcy courts to impose drastic cuts.
New Detroit emergency manager owes back taxes
By James Brewer, 18 March 2013
In a revelation by the Detroit News, Orr is found to have two outstanding liens on his Maryland home.
Politicians, media hail appointment of emergency manager for Detroit
By Lawrence Porter, 16 March 2013
The selection of Kevyn Orr as emergency manager is aimed at escalating the assault on the working class of Detroit.
Detroit’s emergency manager: Who is Kevyn Orr?
By Shannon Jones, 16 March 2013
Detroit’s new emergency manager is a ruthless defender of corporate interests
A financial dictator for Detroit
By Joseph Kishore, 15 March 2013
The new financial manager, bankruptcy lawyer Kevyn Orr, will have vast powers and one essential task: to escalate the attack on the working class.
Detroit workers denounce threat to impose emergency manager
By Usman Clemens, 13 March 2013
There is growing anger among workers and youth over Michigan governor Rick Snyder’s impending appointment of an emergency manager over the city
Former Detroit mayor convicted of racketeering and extortion
By Jerry White, 12 March 2013
After a five-month trial a jury on Monday found Detroit’s former mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, guilty of 22 corruption charges.
The Detroit City Council begs Snyder, “We can do this without an emergency manager.”
By Lawrence Porter, 8 March 2013
On March 6 the Detroit City Council voted 7-1 to initiate a legal appeal of the decision by Michigan’s governor to name an emergency manager for the city of Detroit.
The collapse of Detroit: An indictment of American capitalism
By Jerry White, 7 March 2013
Wall Street’s financial elite celebrated a new record Dow Jones Industrial Average this week, even as the city of Detroit plunged towards bankruptcy.
Democratic backers of austerity pose as opponents of emergency manager in Detroit
By Lawrence Porter and Shannon Jones, 6 March 2013
Sections of the Democratic Party in Detroit are posturing as opponents of the impending appointment of an emergency manager by Republican Governor Rick Snyder
Brutal budget cutting, privatization planned for Detroit
By Lawrence Porter, 5 March 2013
Michigan governor Rick Snyder’s declaration of a “financial emergency” in Detroit is paving the way for the gutting of city services and a fire sale of public assets.
Michigan governor moves to appoint emergency manager in Detroit
By Shannon Jones, 2 March 2013
An emergency manager would have virtually dictatorial powers to void union contracts, cut services, sell city assets and privatize city functions.
Fight the bankers’ dictatorship over Detroit!
the Socialist Equality Party, 2 March 2013
The problem is not the lack of resources, but the monopolization of society’s wealth by the rich.
Review panel paves way for emergency manager in Detroit
By Shannon Jones, 21 February 2013
A state review panel declared a financial emergency in Detroit, setting the stage for new attacks on workers throughout the city.
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