The Commons Rises in Detroit

[marmar]

http://onthecommons.org/content.php?id=2767



from OnTheCommons.org:



The Commons Rises in Detroit
On the Commons joins the action at the U.S. Social Forum. Follow us on Twitter and blogs

By Jay Walljasper


On the Commons is headed to Detroit to take part in the U.S. Social Forum— a large scale gathering of people committed to making history by transforming American society.

The focus of the event, held June 22-26, is to find equitable solutions to the ongoing economic and ecological crises by building “a powerful multi-racial, multi-sectoral, inter-generational,
 diverse, inclusive, internationalist movement.” The Forum—inspired by the World Social Forums held in Brazil, India, Kenya and other countries— is expected to attract 30,000 participants.

Reclaiming the commons is a major theme of this year’s Social Forum, and On the Commons is convening a number of events in a workshops, People’s Movement Assembly events and discussions at local watering holes

Whether you make it to Detroit or not, you can be a part of the action by following us on twitter@ Onthecommons.org (#commoner) and on-the-scene blogs here at Onthecommons.org.

*On the Commons will co-convene participants from across the U.S. and the global South at a key strategy session to Re/Claim Our Commons

*“Our Water Commons”:http://www.ourwatercommons.org / , a project of OTC, hosts a number of events focusing on a new wave of global activism around the idea of water as a commons belonging to all.

For more information

[leveymg]

1. I thought this was about raising sheep and cash crops in what used to be suburban Detroit.

[marmar]

2. What used to be?

[leveymg]

4. Images of Detroit and environs from the pre-post- industrial era

[marmar]

3. That's not suburban Detroit....that's in the city.

nt

[leveymg]

5. "Suburban" in the original meaning refers to outside the city center

Downtown Detroit to most people is the Renaissance Center (GM HQ), which on the outside still looks pretty good. But a lot of that office space is empty.

[marmar]

6. I live here....I know. But when most people here the word suburban, they think suburbs.....

A semantic quibble yes, but saying what used to be suburban Detroit is a bit deceptive, IMHO. And believe it or not, there are still may neighborhoods INSIDE THE CITY where people still live and go on with their daily lives.

[leveymg]

7. I just did a White Paper study on the 14th District for Conyers office

and I live near Washington. Detroit looks like a city that has enormous potential for green redevelopment, and is a place where people can afford to live. That is not the case here in Northern VA.

I just wanted to distinguish downtown from some of the neighborhoods. Most of the Detroit area is not blighted, and are stable neighborhoods where, as you point out, people live and work happily. No disrespect intended. :hi:

[leveymg]

8. My apologies - my original comment was a bit OT.

Didn't mean to stomp on your post. Please go ahead and repost the announcement.

I'll go to my room now . . .

[JNelson6563]

9. Good idea to choose Detroit for this event.

:toast: