
Victories

Victories
We're working hard to win concrete victories that improve our members’ lives.
Here is a partial list of the things we've helped to win.
Immigration
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A new stronger national policy preventing ICE from conducting raids at hospitals, schools and places of worship
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Stopped a bill mandating E-Verify for Michigan employers
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Stopped a bill stripping undocumented workers of workers’ compensation
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Helped to win municipal IDs in Detroit
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Led coalition in Wayne County that successfully ended Wayne County Sheriff's practice of honoring ICE “detainer” requests without a judicial warrant
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Created statewide sanctuary coalition to support immigrants fighting deportation
Criminal Justice Reform
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Restored the oversight powers of the Detroit Police Commission
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Won “Fair Chance Hiring” ordinance in Kalamazoo
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Won removal of “no stopping, standing or parking” signs deployed in African-American neighborhoods in Kalamazoo, which had been used as a pretext for stop-and-frisk policing
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Led and developed coalition to win “Fair Chance Housing” ordinance in Detroit
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Won enforcement of protections against housing discrimination against returning citizens in Kalamazoo
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Helped lead a national grassroots effort to free Cyntoia Brown
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Led the First Step Act Campaign in Michigan and delivered ‘yes’ votes from both of Michigan’s US Senators for the First Step Act
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Won new discipline policies in Kalamazoo Public Schools to reduce the disproportionate discipline and criminalization of students of color
Caring Majority (elder, family and health care)
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Created Kalamazoo mobile dental clinic
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Passed a long-term care study (formerly HB 4674) in the state budget and won $100,000 in match funding from state legislature to implement the study of the long-term care in Michigan
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Raised $200,000 in match funding for the long-term care study from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund
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Created statewide coalition of leaders from 20+ organizations within the care landscape in Michigan
Housing
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As part of HOMES coalition, created Kalamazoo Local Housing Assistance Fund to prevent homelessness, then won $5 million millage to fund program
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Saved the foreclosure redemption period from repeal by the legislature, preserving the ability of homeowners to fight their foreclosures or find new housing
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Played major role in winning "Fair Chance Housing" ordinance in Detroit
Workers' Rights
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Played key role in raising minimum wage in 2014 to $9.25.
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Played steering committee role in the MI Time to Care campaign to win paid sick days
Environmental Justice
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Helped win appropriations from state legislature to address Flint water crisis
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Prevented Flint City Council from signing away the ability of residents to sue the water authority over future issues