An Open Letter from MWRO Member, Ann Grimmett:

Greetings All!

I'm here in Detroit, the site of the 2nd United States Social Forum, and we'd like to extend an invitation to everyone that's interested, to attend this historic, cultural, and enlightening venue!

The unique properties that helped to get Detroit chosen for the site of the 2010 USSF include, (1) Our diversity, we are touted as the "Blackest" city in the US, our Mexican town is and has been a thriving community for decades, and we also boast the largest Arab American population outside of the Middle East! (2) We are on prime "Waterfront" and on an "International Border"! (3) Our Cultural Community is second to none! (4) We are the home of "Belle Isle," a unique "island" from where you can actually see the Canadian shore! We are also "The Melting Pot of America"!

We are "The Motor City" and the name "Motown" is synonymous with music at its best! The motto of Detroit is Speramus Meliora Resurget Cineribus which translates to "We hope for better things, it shall rise from the ashes!" which has been Detroit's motto since the 1800's!

I know I'll see you all, as you join us to build this movement of movements! The USSF will be in Detroit from June 22-26, 2010.

(Image courtesy of US Social Forum)

USSF Planned for Detroit June 22-26, 2010!

The dates and locations are set for the next United States Social Forum: June 22-26, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan, at Cobo Hall and Hart Plaza! Over 20,000 national grassroots activists and social movement organizations, and Detroit residents are expected to fill downtown Detroit and communities across the city. The USSF is going to be an exciting and momentous organizing event to build a better U.S. and a better Detroit!

Michigan Welfare Rights Organization will provide the meeting space over the next year to allow local activists and residents to discuss and develop the USSF plans. The Detroit local organizing committee (D-LOC) is open to all members of the community who are interested in shaping and planning for this national event. Contact the MWRO office for information on D-LOC meeting dates, subcommittees, and workgroups, (313) 964-0618. The USSF 2010 website will be arriving soon with more info and details!

Image from MWRO: USSF National Planning Committee members tour Cobo Hall in anticipation of the USSF.

USSF National-Local Planning Kicks Off in Detroit!

Planning for the United States Social Forum in Detroit 2010 kicked off this week with a reception for national and local planners and funders. The reception was held at the Hannan House in Detroit, Michigan, a senior citizen-based foundation that addresses housing and other service needs

The reception was a cross-generational event with nearly 100 people from across the country and Detroit, representing diverse peoples and backgrounds.

Local organizers and national activists are meeting over the weekend to lay the groundwork for launching this tremendous grassroots effort. Much more information will be coming soon about how you can get involved, engage your community, and make plans to get to Detroit as we work toward "Another World Is Possible. Another U.S. Is Necessary"!

(Photo courtesy of Lou Novak, Green Party Detroit)

Detroit Selected for 2010 U.S. Social Forum

After a final round of visits and discussions with grassroots groups and national organizers, Detroit has been selected as the site for the next U.S. Social Forum (USSF) in 2010! Other potential host cities were El Paso, TX, and New Orleans, LA.

Five local grassroots organizations were also selected to serve as local anchors for the planning process. They are: Centro Obrero de Detroit, Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice, East Michigan Environmental Action Council, Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and South Eastern Michigan Jobs With Justice. Read the Detroit Greens blog post for more details.

MWRO is honored and pleased to be among one of the selected organizers for this national event! We participated in the first USSF in Atlanta, GA, and took a busload of MWRO members, local Detroit residents, students, seniors, and activists. It was a marvelous learning experience and we shared many stories about the water crisis, economic problems, housing foreclosures and more, with thousands of national and international comrades.

The 2010 USSF will be a major rallying cry for people all over this country (and beyond) to come together and plan for what we need, what we can do, and how we will change our communities. Read the USSF 2010 NPC Vision. Stay posted to get involved and participate. And start saving your pennies to get to Detroit in Summer 2010!

(Image courtesy of the U.S. Social Forum)

Help Bring the 2010 U.S. Social Forum to Detroit

MWRO, along with many Michigan grassroots organizations, is working to bring the USSF to Detroit in 2010. We believe Detroit it at the center of major social and economic problems and can help deliver the local and national solutions that communities like ours need!

We are competing with El Paso, TX, and New Orleans, LA--cities both with great people and a myriad of problems.

In an effort to spread the word and build the ranks of organizations ready to help us win the right to be the 2010 host city, we invite you to celebrate with us with music, food, video and general good times. Plan to be on hand at the Detroit Celebration of the USSF.

Join us for a potluck event on Friday, December 5, 6:00 – 9:00 PM at the
Central United Methodist Church, 23 East Adams Ave at Woodward in downtown Detroit. If you can't attend, email your support to info@mwro.org

Get a flyer and get more information about potential host cities and the vision for USSF 2010.

See more VIDEOS about USSF:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kncStfnpJxI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khBU4IGFOCc