Demonstrations -- Michigan -- Detroit

Detroit's Walk to Freedom

eclemens — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 22:48:12 -0400

This Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we recall Detroit's Walk to Freedom, described by Dr. King as “one of the most wonderful things that has happened in America." Dr. King led the march and shed light on the status of African Americans in northern industrial cities. Organized by the Detroit Council on Human Rights (DCHR), the Walk to Freedom was the largest civil rights demonstration in the nation’s history. Its purpose was to speak out against segregation and the brutality that met civil rights activists in the South while at the same time addressing concerns of African Americans in the urban North: inequality in hiring practices, wages, education, and housing. The date of the march, June 23, 1963, was chosen to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 1943 Detroit Riots in which 34 people, the majority of them African American, were killed. read more »

(360) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "Walk to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 06:45:28 -0400

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. leads an estimated crowd of 125,000 civil rights activists down Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit during the historic "Walk to Freedom." Rev. C.L. Franklin, Walter Reuther, Rev. Albert Cleage and Mayor Jerome Cavanagh are all in view.

(DN_1119) NAACP, Pickets, Housing Discrimination, Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 11 May 2011 09:10:05 -0400

Members of the NAACP picket the apartment building at 647 W. Warren for discriminative housing practices, Detroit, Michigan.

(DN_1122) NAACP, Pickets, Housing Discrimination, Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 11 May 2011 09:26:51 -0400

Demonstrators picket the General Motors Building to protest discriminative hiring practices, Detroit, Michigan.

(1608) Depression, Hoovervilles, Detroit, 1930s

eclemens — Tue, 01 May 2012 09:17:19 -0400

Photograph, taken near Detroit's Black Bottom neighborhood, shows sub-standard housing available to the poor during the Great Depression.

Snapshot part of a series taken by Walter and Victor Reuther.

(5903) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:10:40 -0400

Thousands rally against racial discrimination in downtown Detroit during the “Walk to Freedom” civil rights demonstration.

Demonstrators carry signs that read "Integrate Before it is too Late," "Life, Liberty, Happiness Thru Work -- Give Us Jobs," Evers was Killed but His Cause will Never Die -- NAACP," "This is OUR Country Too," and "Don't Eat Jim Crow - He is too Tough."

(5906) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:15:20 -0400

Thousands rally against racial discrimination in downtown Detroit during the “Walk to Freedom” civil rights demonstration.

Demonstrators carry signs that read " Fight for Freedom -- Join the NAACP,' "Evers Died for You -- Join the NAACP for Him," "3rd Congressional District Democrats," and "The UAW Supports President Kennedy's Civil Rights Program."

(5908) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:26:38 -0400

Thousands rally against racial discrimination in downtown Detroit during the “Walk to Freedom” civil rights demonstration.

Demonstrators carry signs that read "I want to Live Where I Choose! White House for Rent...No Color Barrier," "Equal Housing" and "CORE: Congress of Racial Equality."

(5909) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:31:06 -0400

A composite photo shows Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. leading the "March to Freedom" and a bird's-eye view of the thousands who rallied on Woodward Ave in downtown Detroit during the demonstration against racial discrimination.

(DN_1127_1) NAACP, Pickets, Housing Discrimination, Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 11 May 2011 09:39:06 -0400

Members and supporters of the NAACP picket outside of the Open Occupancy Hearing at Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan.

(12271) Ford Hunger March, Funeral Procession, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:49 -0400

“The head of the vast funeral march of 70,000 proceeding down Woodward Avenue in silent pledge that the four martyrs (Joe York, George Bussell, Coleman Leny and Joe Blasio) who were killed on Monday, March 7, 1932 did not die in vain.”

--Photographer’s Description

Note: The banner leading the marchers reads "Smash Ford-Murphy Police Terror." The "Murphy" invoked is Detroit's Mayor Frank Murphy.

(12272) Ford Hunger March, Funeral Procession, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:49 -0400

-Photographer's Notation

(12273) Ford Hunger March, Funeral Procession, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:49 -0400

Thousands line Woodward Avenue as the funeral procession for four of the men slain during the Ford Hunger March passes by, Detroit, Michigan. Within the crows, people hold banners and sign denouncing the violence and urging men to join the auto worker’s union.

(12274) Ford Hunger March, Funeral Procession, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:49 -0400

Thousands line Woodward Avenue as they await the funeral procession for four of the men slain during the Ford Hunger March, Detroit, Michigan.

(12275) Ford Hunger March, Funeral Procession, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:49 -0400

Thousands fill the streets as they await the funeral procession for four of the men slain during the Ford Hunger March, Detroit, Michigan.

(12276) Ford Hunger March, Funeral Procession, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:50 -0400

The first of four hearses that carry Joe York, George Bussell, Coleman Leny and Joe Blasio, four of the men killed during the Ford Hunger March, leads the vast funeral procession down Woodward Avenue.

(12276) Ford Hunger March, Funeral Procession, Hearse, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:48 -0400

The first of four hearses that carry the men who were killed during the Ford Hunger March leads the vast funeral procession down Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan.

(12277) Ford Hunger March, Funeral Procession, Police, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:50 -0400

Mourners confront Detroit Police officers during the demonstration and funeral procession for four of the men killed during the Ford Hunger March. Several people hold signs aloft, the most prominent proclaims “Negro and White Unite!.”

(12278) Ford Hunger March, Funerals, Communist Party Headquarters, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:50 -0400

The coffins that hold Joe York, George Bussell, Coleman Leny and Joe Blasio, four of the men killed during the Ford Hunger March, are given a public viewing at Detroit's Communist Party Headquarters prior to their internment at Woodmere Cemetery.

Note: The African American man at front center is Christopher Alston, a future organizer for UAW - Ford.

(12279) Ford Hunger March, Funerals, Woodmere Cemetery, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:50 -0400

Mourners stand by memorial wreaths during the funerals of Joe York, George Bussell, Coleman Leny and Joe Blasio, four of the men killed during the Ford Hunger March, at Detroit's Woodmere Cemetery.

(12280) Ford Hunger March, Victims, Joe Bussell c. 1930s

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:50 -0400

Portrait of Joe Bussell, killed by Ford Servicemen during the 1932 Ford Hunger March, Detroit, Michigan.

(12281) Ford Hunger March, Victims, Joe York, c. 1930s

pneirink — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:50 -0400

Portrait of Joe York, killed by Ford Servicemen during the 1932 Ford Hunger March, Detroit, Michigan.

Courtesy of Belle Weisman

(12282) Ford Hunger March, Workers' Inquiry, Flyer, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:50 -0400

A flyer inviting people to the public investigation of the Ford Hunger March Massacre by a Workers Jury to be held March 25, 1932 at Detroit’s Cass Tech High School.

(23542) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:52:24 -0400

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers his “I Have a Dream” speech to a rapt audience at Cobo Hall during the “Walk to Freedom” civil rights demonstration.

(24840) NAACP, Demonstrations, Housing Discrimination, Detroit, 1962

eclemens — Wed, 11 May 2011 09:13:24 -0400

Members of the NAACP’s Housing Committee create signs in the offices of the Detroit Branch for use in a future demonstration.

(24847) NAACP, Demonstrations, F.W. Woolworth, Detroit, 1960

eclemens — Wed, 11 May 2011 09:11:25 -0400

Members and supporters of the NAACP picket the F.W. Woolworth store at 6565 Woodward Ave. and West Grand Boulevard in an effort to force the store to allow integrated lunch counters, Detroit, Michigan.

(24841) NAACP, Demonstrations, Housing Discrimination, Detroit, 1962

eclemens — Wed, 11 May 2011 09:12:31 -0400

Members of the NAACP’s Housing Committee create signs in the offices of the Detroit Branch for use in a future demonstration.

(24844) NAACP, Demonstrations, F.W. Woolworth, Detroit, 1960

eclemens — Wed, 11 May 2011 09:12:31 -0400

Members and supporters of the NAACP picket the downtown F.W. Woolworth store in an effort to force the store to allow integrated lunch counters, Detroit, Michigan.

(24845) NAACP, Demonstrations, F.W. Woolworth, Detroit, 1960

eclemens — Wed, 11 May 2011 09:11:25 -0400

Members and supporters of the NAACP picket the downtown F.W. Woolworth store in an effort to force the store to allow integrated lunch counters, Detroit, Michigan.

(24846) NAACP, Demonstrations, F.W. Woolworth, Detroit, 1960

eclemens — Wed, 11 May 2011 09:11:25 -0400

Members and supporters of the NAACP picket the Gratiot Ave F.W. Woolworths store in an effort to force the store to allow integrated lunch counters, Detroit, Michigan

Note: In the background the Gratiot Central Market is in view.

(24849) NAACP, Demonstrations, State Capitol, Lansing

eclemens — Wed, 11 May 2011 09:11:25 -0400

An unidentified speaker addresses demonstrators on the steps of the state capitol as they celebrate the landmark Supreme Court decision of “Brown v Board of Education,” Lansing, Michigan. The event took place during the Michigan State Conference of NAACP Branches. In the foreground a choir is visible.

(25328) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "Walk to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 07:11:44 -0400

A birds-eye view of demonstrators as they make their way down Woodward Ave. during the “Walk to Freedom” civil rights march in downtown Detroit.

(25329) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "Walk to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 07:17:19 -0400

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. leads an estimated crowd of 125,000 civil rights activists down Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit during the historic "Walk to Freedom." In the background spectators standing on the roof of a building are in view. At far right is St. John's Episcopalian Church.

(25330) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "Walk to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 07:59:30 -0400

Thousands rally against racial discrimination on in downtown Detroit during the “Walk to Freedom” civil rights demonstration.

(25331) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "Walk to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 08:01:12 -0400

Thousands rally against racial discrimination on in downtown Detroit during the “Walk to Freedom” civil rights demonstration.

(25332) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 08:03:04 -0400

Thousands rally against racial discrimination on in downtown Detroit during the “March to Freedom” civil rights demonstration.

(25333) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 08:05:03 -0400

Thousands rally against racial discrimination on in downtown Detroit during the "March to Freedom" civil rights demonstration.

(25334) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 08:09:24 -0400

Thousands rally against racial discrimination on in downtown Detroit during the “March to Freedom” civil rights demonstration.

(25335) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 08:22:45 -0400

Thousands rally against racial discrimination on in downtown Detroit during the “March to Freedom” civil rights demonstration.

(25336) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:30:36 -0400

Thousands rally against racial discrimination on in downtown Detroit during the “March to Freedom” civil rights demonstration.

(25337) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:33:52 -0400

Thousands rally against racial discrimination on in downtown Detroit during the “March to Freedom” civil rights demonstration. Signs read "Enact Effective Legislation to End School Segregation," "Fight for Freedom -- Join the NAACP," and "Evers Died for You -- Join the NAACP for Him."

In the background the Fox Theater and St. John's Episcopalian Church are in view.

(25338) Civil RIghts, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:40:39 -0400

Thousands rally against racial discrimination on in downtown Detroit during the “March to Freedom” civil rights demonstration.

(25339) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:37:04 -0400

An interior view of Cobo Hall as participants in the “March to Freedom” civil rights demonstration wait for the speakers to appear.

(25340) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:39:05 -0400

An interior view of Cobo Hall as participants in the “March to Freedom” civil rights demonstration wait for the speakers to appear.

(25341) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:41:31 -0400

John B. Swainson addresses participants in the “March to Freedom” civil rights demonstration in Cobo Hall.

(25361) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:47:08 -0400

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers his “I Have a Dream” speech to a rapt audience at Cobo Hall during the “Walk to Freedom” civil rights demonstration.

(25696) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:15:03 -0400

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. makes his way towards the front of Detroit’s Cobo Hall at the conclusion of the “Walk to Freedom” civil rights march.

Left to right: Benjamin McFall, James Del Rio, Dr. King, Unidentified Detroit Police Officer, and Marc Crawford.

(25756) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:48:09 -0400

“Freedom Marchers” pass through Campus Martius in downtown Detroit as they make their way towards Cobo Hall for the conclusion of the “March to Freedom” civil rights demonstration.

Demonstrators, escorted by Detroit Police, carry signs that read "Lets move to Grosse Pointe" and "Dearborn KKK is Michigan's Mississippi -- KKK" - both references to suburbs who were, at that time, well known for exclusionary housing practices.

(25772) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:04:56 -0400

A view of the crowd outside of Detroit’s Cobo Hall at the conclusion of the “Walk to Freedom” civil rights march. Due to the limited seating inside of the building, thousands of activists remained outside and listened to the speeches through the use of external speakers.

(25773) Civil Rights, Demonstrations, "March to Freedom," Detroit, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:10:00 -0400