The 2014 Detroit Bankruptcy
The Democrats and Detroit
By Jerry White, 1 August 2019
The bitter experience of Detroit workers exposes the claims by Sanders, Warren and others that the Democrats represent a genuine alternative to Trump’s reactionary policies.
Amid mounting opposition, former Michigan Governor Snyder withdraws from Harvard fellowship
By Sheila Brehm, 4 July 2019
The decision came in the face of widespread opposition on the Harvard campus, in Flint, Michigan, and nationally.
Five years since Detroit bankruptcy
Moody’s warns investors about Detroit’s mounting debt
By Debra Watson, 5 December 2018
Moody’s Investors Service has issued major warnings about the ability to meet bond payments and financial shortfalls in the city’s public schools.
Fifteen workers hospitalized after explosion at US Steel mill south of Detroit
By Jessica Goldstein, 13 August 2018
According to local news reports, workers initially refused a supervisor’s directive to clean out a dust separator, warning that it posed a safety issue.
Detroit water shutoffs to resume in midst of punishing heat wave
By Debra Watson, 7 July 2018
Detroit water shutoffs will resume this week, after a one-week pause, though extremely high temperatures and heat advisories in Detroit are expected to continue throughout the summer.
Detroit exits bankruptcy, but conditions remain bleak
By Helen Hayes, 9 May 2018
The federal courts and the state government are relinquishing direct control over city operations, entrusting further budget cuts and austerity measures to the administration of Democratic Mayor Mike Duggan.
Police kill two men in two days in Detroit suburbs
By a reporter, 17 April 2018
The killings last Monday and Tuesday went largely unreported in the media, perhaps because they took place in middle-class suburban areas rather than the inner city.
Police kill two men in two days in Detroit suburbs
By a reporter, 17 April 2018
The killings last Monday and Tuesday went largely unreported in the media, perhaps because they took place in middle-class suburban areas rather than the inner city.
Twelve-year-old boy dies in Detroit area fire
By Jerry White, 22 November 2017
While the fire is still under investigation, authorities are looking at a space heater as the cause of the fatal blaze.
Corporate interests, racial politics dominate Detroit mayoral election
By Tyler Van Dyke, 7 November 2017
With the backing of the city’s major corporations and the Democratic political establishment, incumbent Mayor Mike Duggan is expected to be reelected in today’s mayoral election.
Some Detroit-area residents left homeless after eviction from condemned low-income motel
By Debra Watson, 27 October 2017
The deplorable conditions faced by low-income renters in the Detroit area highlight the crisis of affordable housing in the United States.
Temporary shutdown of GM Detroit-Hamtramck plant signals new threat to auto jobs
By Shannon Jones, 13 October 2017
Some 1,800 workers at the facility face a six-week layoff starting in mid-November, with the indefinite layoff of 200 workers planned for January.
As Detroit mayoral election approaches, water shutoffs continue amidst pervasive poverty
By Debra Watson, 6 October 2017
As the election approaches, persistent and shocking levels of poverty in Detroit and continuing residential water shutoffs belie claims that the city is making a comeback.
As teachers narrowly ratify concessions deal
Billionaire’s Detroit sports arena to take $34.5 million in school tax money
By J. Cooper, 2 August 2017
Detroit public schools will lose millions of dollars due to continuing handouts to the city’s billionaire developers.
Experts warn of public health crisis as Detroit rejects halt to water shutoffs
By Kathleen Martin, 1 August 2017
Data from the Henry Ford Global Health Initiative found that patients are 1.55 times more likely to get a water-borne illness if they live on a block where a water shutoff occurs.
SEP public meetings: “Flint and the Grenfell fire: Social crimes against the working class”
26 July 2017
The SEP and the IYSSE are holding public meetings Thursday in Detroit and Flint, Michigan to review the experience of the Grenfell fire tragedy in London and its broader implications for the working class.
Detroit Federation of Teachers accepts merit pay, other concessions
By Phyllis Steele, 3 July 2017
The Detroit Federation of Teachers is attempting to impose yet another round of concessions on teachers who have suffered years of givebacks, layoffs and eroding school conditions.
Latest fatal house fire kills one adult and two small children in Detroit
By Tim Rivers, 29 June 2017
An apparent electrical fire took the lives of an adult and two small children in a working-class neighborhood of Detroit Tuesday.
Detroit and Wayne County Democrats bleed working-class homeowners dry
By Debra Watson, 24 June 2017
Local Democratic administrations have been using what amounts to a scam to fleece homeowners in the Detroit metropolitan area in order to increase tax revenues.
While one in six homes have no running water
Billionaire real estate mogul Dan Gilbert cashing in on corporate welfare in Detroit
By Kathleen Martin, 6 June 2017
The Quicken Loans CEO is raking in cash from the city and the state to fund his real estate development enterprises downtown, two and a half years after Detroit's bankruptcy.
“This is a new world we’re seeing with Betsy DeVos”
Detroit-area charter school shuts doors, leaves teachers unpaid
By Debra Watson, 5 June 2017
Teachers at the Southfield, Michigan school learned only last week that Renaissance, which calls itself a school turn-around specialist, has run out of money.
Almost 10,000 Detroit households face water shutoff
By James Brewer, 1 June 2017
Some 400 households had their water service disconnected in the one-week period following the city’s resumption of water shutoffs earlier this spring.
One third of American households cannot afford water bills
Mass water shutoffs continue for Detroit households
By Kathleen Martin, 29 May 2017
Recent reports show major sustainability issues, with rising costs of water and affordability for millions of US households.
Union conceals district’s takeaway demands from Detroit teachers
By Phyllis Steele, 22 May 2017
So egregious were the school board’s demands that the Detroit Federation of Teachers executive board could not bring it back to rank-and-file educators.
Michigan partnership agreements only a temporary reprieve in statewide school closure threats
By Marissa Ross, 20 May 2017
The announcement of unprecedented mass closures sparked outrage among students, parents and educators across the state.
Waste plant polluting southwest Detroit neighborhoods
By Kathleen Martin, 15 May 2017
The new biosolids waste facility has violated one-hour EPA sulfur dioxide emission standards over 2,500 times in the last year.
The Michigan power outages and the case for the nationalization of the utility industries
By Jerry White, 15 March 2017
At its peak last week, more than a million homes, schools and businesses in the metropolitan Detroit area and outstate areas had no electricity.
Thousands still without power in metro Detroit
By Kathleen Martin, 13 March 2017
Tens of thousand of residents remain in the dark and without heat in below freezing temperatures following high winds last week that crippled the aging electrical grid in the Detroit area.
Hundreds of thousands in the dark in Michigan as windstorm cripples aging electrical grid
By Shannon Jones, 11 March 2017
Michigan residents once again had their lives disrupted by a fairly routine weather event, testifying again to the longstanding neglect of US infrastructure.
Boil advisory issued in Detroit following water system malfunction
By Kathleen Martin, 2 March 2017
The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department issued a boil water advisory Tuesday due to concerns over bacterial contamination affecting a large section of the city.
What did billionaire Mike Ilitch leave Detroit?
By Shannon Jones, 15 February 2017
Behind the official paeans to the late billionaire Mike Ilitch lies the reality of a city devastated by the ruthless workings of capitalist “free enterprise.”
“There are a lot of struggling people in the Detroit Metro area”
Hard-pressed Detroit area families face bleak holiday
By Shannon Jones, 25 November 2016
As we enter the holiday season, residents of Detroit and surrounding suburbs face continued high levels of unemployment, food insecurity and homelessness.
Detroit housing crisis deepens with county tax foreclosure auction
By Debra Watson, 23 November 2016
Following the rejection of a lawsuit on a moratorium, thousands of Wayne County, Michigan residents may soon face eviction as officials seize properties for back taxes.
Detroit Federation of Teachers pushes through sellout contract
By Nancy Hanover, 19 September 2016
Educators greeted the agreement with anger and skepticism in the face of the concerted attempts by the union to derail their struggles over the course of the last year.
US federal court rejects challenge to Michigan emergency manager law
By James Brewer, 14 September 2016
The ruling upholding a law used to force Detroit into bankruptcy and switch Flint to a toxic water source was based on the assertion that the population does not have a right to vote.
Vote “No” on Detroit Federation of Teachers’ contract!
By Nancy Hanover, 12 September 2016
The American Federation of Teachers is demanding that educators acquiesce to low pay, overcrowded classrooms, unsafe buildings and more school closures.
Detroit teachers angered by contract deal
By Marissa Ross, 8 September 2016
Detroit teachers received contract “highlights” at a mass meeting called by the Detroit Federation of Teachers and will begin voting next week.
After the destruction of the Detroit Public Schools
Michigan officials press to close “failing schools”
By Nancy Hanover, 6 September 2016
The reorganization of DPS has established the precedent that debt-ridden schools can be dissolved, reorganized and/or replaced with private entities.
Judge tosses out Detroit Public Schools lawsuit against teacher “sickouts”
By Marissa Ross and Nancy Hanover, 25 August 2016
In the wake of the dissolution of the DPS and the launching of the Detroit Public Schools Community District, the court case against teacher protests has been wrapped up.
Affordable housing shortage in Detroit creates dire conditions for seniors
By a WSWS reporting team, 18 August 2016
WSWS reporters uncovered landlord neglect at a government-subsidized retirement building in Southwest Detroit.
Low-income retirees in the Detroit-area face abysmal housing conditions
By Debra Watson and Catherine Long, 8 August 2016
An acute lack of affordable housing along with deplorable conditions in existing housing stock has left tens of thousands without a safe and healthy place to live out their retirement.
Michigan attorney general charges six more state officials in Flint water crisis
By James Brewer, 30 July 2016
These six indictments bring the number of criminal indictments to nine.
Michigan governor signs Detroit Public Schools dissolution measures
Judge Rhodes, Democrats try to pacify Detroit teachers
By Nancy Hanover, 27 June 2016
Hundreds of teachers and parents turned out for a town hall informational meeting called by local Democrats to explain the legislative deal which will terminate the Detroit Public Schools.
“Public education is not a business, it is a right”
Detroit teachers and parents speak out against public school reorganization
By a WSWS reporting team, 27 June 2016
Teachers and parents spoke to the WSWS at a public town hall meeting held in the wake of the legislative deal to dissolve the 174-year-old Detroit Public Schools.
Michigan public school teacher messages of solidarity with Mexican teachers
27 June 2016
Michigan public school teachers express their support for teachers in Oaxaca and throughout Mexico in the face of last week’s government massacre.
Teachers’ union sanctions destruction of Detroit Public Schools district
By Nancy Hanover, 18 June 2016
The Michigan legislature uses debt crisis as the pretext to dissolve the district and rewrite the rules governing education in the nation’s largest poor city.
Michigan legislature approves attack on public education in Detroit
By Shannon Jones, 11 June 2016
The bill safeguards the interests of hedge funds and other large investors at the expense of students and teachers.
SEP election meeting: Detroit is a battlefield in a war on the working class
26 May 2016
At this meeting on May 31, Socialist Equality Party presidential candidate Jerry White and vice presidential candidate Niles Niemuth will speak about the critical issues facing workers and youth.
Outrage erupts at Flint meeting of pipeline board
By James Brewer, 20 May 2016
Residents of Flint spoke out in anger during a board meeting of the KWA pipeline authority.
Wall Street presses for Detroit school restructuring deal
By Nancy Hanover, 13 May 2016
Detroit Public Schools emergency manager Judge Steven Rhodes is ramping up pressure for a legislative deal in the state capitol.
After sickouts, what is the way forward for Detroit teachers?
By Jerry White—SEP candidate for US president, 13 May 2016
The struggle of Detroit teachers poses the need to unite all sections of the working class in a movement against big business and its political servants in both parties.
Angry reaction to Obama’s speech in Flint
An interview with LeeAnne Walters
By our reporters, 6 May 2016
Walters, her husband, and another Flint resident, Keri Webber, angrily walked out of Obama's event Wednesday after he arrogantly declared, “The kids will be just fine.”
Detroit Public School teachers end sickouts, face new legislative attacks
By Nancy Hanover, 5 May 2016
The Detroit teachers union shut down a two-day sickout as Michigan legislators debated new attacks under the guise of “rescuing” the public schools.
Video: Detroit teachers speak on the struggle to defend education
By our reporters, 4 May 2016
Detroit public school teachers spoke to the WSWS at a demonstration on Tuesday, the second day of their walkout.
In midst of water shutoffs, Flint water crisis
Detroit teachers shut schools for second day to protest non-payment of wages
By Thomas Gaist, 4 May 2016
The new attack on Detroit teachers is part of a wider assault on the working class being carried out by both big business parties and the Obama administration.
Support the struggle of Detroit teachers! Unite the working class in a fight back!
By Niles Niemuth, 4 May 2016
The attack on Detroit teachers is just one part of an assault on every section of the working class throughout the region and beyond.
Click here to watch video
“Our money is literally being stolen”
Teacher sickout shuts Detroit Public Schools
By Shannon Jones, 3 May 2016
Nearly all of the Detroit schools were shut down Monday as teachers protested the announcement by DPS Emergency Manager Steven Rhodes that they will not be paid over the summer months.
Detroit, Michigan resumes mass water shutoffs
By Nick Rodriguez, 3 May 2016
Detroit, which lies next to one of the largest bodies of fresh water on the planet, is resuming a policy that denies thousands access to one of the most basic requirements of life.
“Everyone feels very betrayed by the union right now”
Detroit teachers union holds rally to back governor’s school restructuring plan
By Walter Gilberti, 29 April 2016
The Detroit Federation of Teachers’ mobilization to support new Detroit Schools legislation fizzled as teachers largely boycotted the demonstration at the state capitol in Lansing.
Two years of the Flint water crisis
A crime of capitalism
By Shannon Jones, 25 April 2016
April 25 marks the second anniversary of the criminal decision to shift the city of Flint’s water supply to the polluted Flint River, setting in motion a social catastrophe.
Low-level officials face indictment in Flint lead poisoning crisis
By Shannon Jones, 21 April 2016
Two low-level state officials and a city of Flint employee face multiple felony and misdemeanor charges in relation to the lead poisoning of city residents.
Thousands of Detroit children exposed to lead or copper contaminated water
By Nancy Hanover, 19 April 2016
One third of DPS schools are reporting lead or copper contamination of drinking water, with one sample at 100 times the EPA toxic level.
Class action lawsuit details destruction of Detroit Public Schools
By Nancy Hanover, 14 April 2016
Amid a continuing drive to dismantle Detroit Public Schools, a lawsuit charges that state officials have deprived students of a “minimally adequate” education.
“What’s happening here is emblematic of what’s going on across the country”
Detroit newspaper workers protest contract takeaways
By Shannon Jones, 31 March 2016
Detroit Free Press and Detroit News journalists held a protest Wednesday over company concessions demands, including increases in health care costs and conversion of full-time to part-time work.
Legislative attack on Detroit Public Schools taking shape
By Nancy Hanover, 24 March 2016
With funding for Detroit schools in question, Judge Rhodes and Republican Governor Rick Snyder are backing legislation for an unprecedented reorganization of the impoverished city’s schools.
As April 8 fiscal deadline approaches
Judge Rhodes threatens shutdown of Detroit Public Schools
By Nancy Hanover, 14 March 2016
As Wall Street demands action on the reorganization of Detroit Public Schools, Judge Steven Rhodes threatened that schools could “go dark.”
Detroit teacher: “Children are made into dollar signs”
By our reporters, 14 March 2016
Detroit teachers spoke to the World Socialist Web Site at the DFT emergency meeting on Thursday, March 10.
Fires at Detroit wastewater plant underscore danger of job cuts
By Dan Coles, 10 March 2016
A series of fires has broken out at the facility in southwest Detroit.
Democrats cover up role of Obama administration in Flint water crisis
By James Brewer, 9 March 2016
Clinton and Sanders said nothing about the US Environmental Protection Agency, which concealed its findings of high lead levels in Flint’s water.
Flint resident files lawsuit against corporations, officials
By James Brewer, 5 March 2016
LeeAnne Walters, whose four children still experience symptoms from exposure to lead, named three companies and three officials in her suit.
New information emerges about Flint’s decision to switch to untreated water
By James Brewer, 1 March 2016
The examination of uncovered documents, combined with the thousands of newly-public emails released by Governor Rick Snyder, begin to uncover the economic interests behind the poisoning of Flint.
Top advisors to Michigan governor urged switching water supply from polluted Flint River
By Shannon Jones, 27 February 2016
Newly released emails show that top aides to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder advocated switching the Flint water supply back to the Detroit water system by October 2014, a year before the public disclosure of contamination.
Former US bankruptcy judge to be new emergency manager of Detroit schools
By our reporters, 26 February 2016
The Detroit Federation of Teachers brought the judge who oversaw the city's bankruptcy to a meeting of school employees to sugarcoat the bipartisan attack on public education.
Who is Judge Steven Rhodes?
The political struggle facing Detroit teachers
By Jerry White, 24 February 2016
Detroit teachers were brought to a meeting Wednesday to listen to retired judge Steven Rhodes, who, during the Detroit bankruptcy, did the dirty work for Wall Street while posturing as a neutral and even-handed arbiter.
Despite lead poisoning, Flint water rates highest in US
By James Brewer, 18 February 2016
A report by a national water advocacy group surveys comparative rates in the country’s largest water systems.
Water quality official warned Flint, Michigan was not prepared for switch to Flint River
By James Brewer, 16 February 2016
Eight days before switching to the heavily polluted river as a water source, a city official warned that the water system was not ready for the change.
Detroit bankruptcy judge appointed to restructure public schools
By Nancy Hanover, 15 February 2016
Michigan’s governor, facing the twin crises of Flint and Detroit public schools, has called in Judge Steven Rhodes to reorganize the Detroit schools.
Parents express support for protesting Detroit teachers and students
By Lawrence Porter, 13 February 2016
During a meeting of the district-sponsored Detroit Parent Network, audience members denounced the appalling conditions in the schools.
“It’s not just a fight for teachers or students, it’s a fight for education”
Detroit Public Schools students launch protests to demand quality education
By Nancy Hanover, 11 February 2016
DPS students use Michigan “Count Day” to emphasize their fight to defend their teachers and the right of all young people to a decent education.
National teachers’ union leader seeks to smother Detroit protests
By Lawrence Porter and Nancy Hanover, 11 February 2016
The American Federation of Teachers is seeking to divert opposition into fruitless appeals to state Democrats and Republicans—the very forces seeking to dismantle public education.
White House pushes ahead with plan to slash pensions for up to one million retirees
By Andre Damon, 9 February 2016
Retired truck drivers and delivery workers said in a hearing in Detroit Monday that they had been notified their pension benefits would be reduced by between 50 and 70 percent.
“This is a dog and pony show”
Retirees speak on Teamster pension cuts
By a WSWS reporting team, 9 February 2016
Retirees denounced both political parties along with the Teamsters union for the devastating pension cuts being demanded by the Central States Pension Fund.
Cities and towns across the US suffer lead poisoning rates worse than Flint
By Carlos Delgado, 9 February 2016
One of the first doctors to describe the effects of lead on children called the disease “a toxicity of habitation.” Today it might be more accurately termed a toxicity of poverty.
Politicians, unions use the “carrot and stick” to try to derail Detroit Public Schools struggle
By Nancy Hanover, 6 February 2016
As Emergency Manager Darnell Earley resigns, union officials and Michigan politicians are working overtime to try to derail the struggle of Detroit teachers.
Emergency meeting on the crisis in Detroit and Flint draws over one hundred workers and youth
By E.P. Bannon, 29 January 2016
The meeting, which was attended by teachers, city workers, autoworkers, students and other sections of the working class, discussed a political strategy for the entire working class.
Detroit student protest organizers explain issues behind Cass Tech walkout
By E.P. Bannon, 28 January 2016
Leaders of the group, We the Students, at Cass Technical High School in Detroit explained the reasons behind their student walkout on Monday.
Large turnout at emergency meeting on the crisis in Detroit and Flint called by SEP
28 January 2016
Over a hundred workers, retirees and young people, including representatives of teachers and students participating in a sickout protest in Detroit Public Schools, as well as autoworkers and Flint residents, attended an emergency meeting called by the Socialist Equality Party and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality in Detroit Wednesday. A full report on the meeting will follow tomorrow.
Detroit high school students stage walkouts to support teachers
By E.P. Bannon, 27 January 2016
As teachers were forced to appear in court, high school students staged walkouts in protest of repression against teachers and the deplorable conditions in city schools.
Detroit judge rules against restraining order over teacher “sickouts”
By Jerry White, 26 January 2016
In a highly political decision, a Detroit judge denied the request by the emergency manager over the Detroit schools for legal action to halt the wave of teacher “sickout” protests.
“This isn’t just our fight, it’s for public education across the country.”
Detroit teachers denounce legal witch-hunt
By Lawrence Porter, 26 January 2016
Detroit teachers in court Monday spoke with the World Socialist Web Site after a judge rejected a request for legal action against sickout protests.
”Democracy is being taken away in Michigan”
As Detroit teachers head to court, politicians plot further attacks
By Nancy Hanover, 25 January 2016
Teachers face a hearing Monday as the Detroit Public Schools seeks an injunction against sickouts and legislators ramp up efforts to ban opposition to the destruction of public education.
Evidence mounts that poisoned Flint water caused deaths
By Andre Damon, 23 January 2016
At least 10 people have died from an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, which has been linked to the poisoning of Flint residents covered up for more than a year by the government.
Detroit schools’ injunction against teachers: An anti-democratic attempt to crush protests
By Eric London, 23 January 2016
DPS is threatening to fire all protesting teachers, encouraging teachers to snoop on each other and employing reactionary legal arguments to attack public education.
The roots of the crisis in Flint and Detroit
By Eric London, 22 January 2016
The catastrophe in Michigan, including the lead poisoning of thousands of residents in Flint, has provoked outrage across the country.
Hearing scheduled to consider injunction against protesting Detroit teachers
By Jerry White, 22 January 2016
While a judge denied an initial request for a temporary injunction, 23 teachers have been ordered to appear on Monday morning to answer accusations that they organized “illegal strikes.”
Emergency meeting January 27 on the crisis in Flint and Detroit
22 January 2016
The Socialist Equality Party and International Youth and Students for Social Equality are calling a public meeting in Detroit, Michigan on January 27 to discuss a political strategy to unite the working class.
School authorities seek injunction to halt Detroit teacher protests
By Jerry White, 21 January 2016
Twenty-eight defendants are named in a legal action, which could result in large fines if teachers continue “sick out” protests.
“We are all in this together. This is class warfare”
Video: Detroit teachers speak out in protests during Obama visit
By Jerry White and Buster Haycook, 21 January 2016
Hundreds of teachers shut down the school system in a “sick out” protest Wednesday against decaying buildings, overcrowded classrooms and years of pay and benefit cuts.
The Flint water crisis and the criminality of American capitalism
By Jerry White, 20 January 2016
In a State of the State address, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder sought to cover up and evade responsibility for the poisoning of an American city.
Michigan workers speak on the poisoning of Flint water
By James Brewer, 18 January 2016
Workers in Flint and surrounding areas are incensed at the continued crisis around the poisoning of Flint’s water.
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