Pride Rally for Rights, Equality, and Change

I rolled my little video equipment cart down to the Michigan Equality rally at the Capitol Building in Lansing on Saturday, June 13, 2009. I had received a voicemail message on Friday evening from someone asking me to record a speech by local activist and journalist Todd Heywood. I was willing to do it because I had planned to be downtown the next morning. Still, the caller risked my doing the favor by concluding his call with an ill-timed "Go Pens" shout out, which was just one hour before the fateful Game 7 in Hockeytown. Needless to say, I wasn't up all night celebrating a Detroit Red Wings victory.

Michigan Equality -- a prominent political arm of the LGBTQI community -- sponsored the noontime rally, which was sandwiched by the enthusiastic, high-energy Michigan Pride parade and celebration gathering at Adado Park. I did not get a count of the crowd but as everyone streamed onto the Capitol grounds from the parade route, the numbers appeared impressive -- way, way bigger than that teabagging anti-tax rally a few weeks ago.

Realistically, I should accept that part of me that is becoming, in effect, a video blogger because I recorded Heywood and all the other speakers at the rally. Heywood's video recorded speech is below and you can follow the links of the other speakers listed below. Or, if you prefer that CNN TV news-type feel, you can watch the speeches on my LiveStream channel posted below right or here.

Michigan Equality Rally Speakers

Kathie Dunbar

Kathie Dunbar, Lansing City Council Member and author of the city's Human Rights ordinance, uses her stand-up comedy skills to kick off the rally with humorous and welcoming remarks here.

Mayor Virgil Bernero

The Mayor welcomes the Pride crowd to Lansing and talks poignantly about his brother who died of AIDS here.

Dr. Penny Gardner

Longtime activist talks about marriage rights in Michigan here.

Dr. Julie Nemecek

Co-Director of Michigan Equality talks about future battles to ensure equality in the state here.

State Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith

A leading ally of equal rights talks about legislative issues pending in Michigan here.

State Rep. Pam Byrnes

Another prominent legislative ally talks about the legal challenges in Lansing here.

Michelle E. Brown

Co-director of Michigan Equality speaks of the progress the equality movement has achieved in various states around the U.S. here.

Jocelyn Benson

This politician/candidate stopped by to discuss rights, equality, and need for political change here.

Todd Heywood

Activist and journalist talks about the community's need to discuss HIV status in a open and honest fashion here.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

Todd Heywood Addresses

Michigan Equality Rally

13 June 2009 * Lansing, MI

Naomi Klein: Q&A Session at Michigan State

I've run into people today who were still chattering about author Naomi Klein's speech at Michigan State University is past week.  As author of The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, her appearance in mid-Michigan could not have been more timely, with the economic melt-down and all.    Don't miss out on listening to her entire speech.  Smaller portions of her speech will be made available in the near future.

The question-and-answers portion of Klein's MSU presentation was just as impressive as her speech.  The words and wisdom she imparted should be required listening for the peace community, especially the active one in Lansing.  The Q&A is provided immediately below.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

Q&A Session with Naomi Klein

17 February 2009

Michigan State University

Pix of the Week: Cluster Bomb Survivor Tour

I'm starting this new series of highlighting a favorite or "best" picture from the week of actions in the Greater Lansing peace community. Below is a collage of pictures that I shot from the Cluster Bomb Survivors' Tour this past week. I'm highlighting the photo (immediately below) of East Lansing City Council member Nathan Triplett presenting a city resolution supporting the ban on cluster bombs and declaring it "Cluster Bomb Awareness Week." He presents the resolution to the international delegation from the tour and local activists who helped bring the tour to the Greater Lansing area.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

Nathan Triplett Presents Resolution to the

Cluster Bomb Survivors' Tour

Photo Collage of Cluster Bomb Survivors' Tour

Quick Post: SDS Reunion Photos

This is a quick post to provide a link to some of my photos from the Michigan State University SDS reunion Friday night at Kedzie Hall. I will add more photos and captions tomorrow, along with a more detailed report on what turned out to be a very busy and fascinating day in East Lansing, Michigan.

-- RTR

Link to photos:
http://www.flickr.com/gp/9042461@N06/7HE9NC