West Michigan Groups Making Connections for the United States Social Forum

The 2010 United States Social Forum (USSF) takes place in Detroit June 22 through 28. In anticipation, several West Michigan groups are taking action to spread the word and plan their involvement.

A Dearborn elementary school adjacent to Detroit's Marathon Refinery

Our Kitchen Table (OKT), a grassroots activist organization working for environmental justice and food security, is taking part in East Michigan Area Environmental Action Council‘s ReMedia Project. The OKT team, ReMedia West, will produce short documentaries to promote environmental justice that will be screened at the USSF on June 25. The group traveled to Detroitlast Tuesday where EMEAC members took them on an environmental justice tour of Detroit.

Grand Valley University’s Student Environmental Coalition (SEC) hosted Andrew Plisner, a USSF committee member, on Thursday evening for a discussion about how SEC’s work relates to social justice and today’s educational/cultural crisis.

The Bloom Collective is hosting a USSF discussion group for local folks who want to learn more about the forum or share how they will be participating. This group will start off with meetings Friday April 16 and Friday April 23 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. at The Bloom Collective’s former space, 1134 Wealthy St. SE and Saturday May 1 at MayDay 2010, a May 1 celebration sponsored by Grand Rapids IWW at Grand Rapids’ MLK Park. People can come to any or all of the meetings.

During MayDay 2010, Chinonye, chairperson of the USSF health, healing and environmental justice committee, will share a presentation about the USSF as well as performance. Chinonye is also member of the Calabar Theatre Company.

Are you or your group planning on attending the USSF? Let GRIID know. We are connected to the USSF Writers Group and will be covering the USSF live from Detroit.