April 26 - MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT for Right To Counsel!
Please make public comment for Right To Counsel at 10:00am.
Community advocacy has moved the Right To Counsel ordinance out of committee, and we must keep moving forward! It matters when we show up.
On Tuesday (Apr 26), the ordinance is on the City Council agenda to set for a public hearing (the day for the final vote). We should call in with key talking points, especially to urge to keep the matter moving forward.
Here is how to attend the meeting and make comments. Any of the talking points can be used, or you can speak from the heart. The most important thing is to say you support the right to counsel moving forward today!
Thank you!
Attend In-person at 2 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI on the 13th Floor (Ask for a public comment card.)
Attend Online: https://detroitmi.gov/online-cc-meeting (Raise hand immediately upon entering room.)
Attend by Phone: 1-312-626-6799 Enter Meeting ID: 85846903626# (Raise hand immediately by pressing *9)
TALKING POINTS:
Pass a Right To Counsel for low-income Detroiters facing eviction without delay! People are being evicted every day and we cannot afford to wait.
In fact, in Detroit a person is 18 times more likely to avoid eviction when they have an attorney.
Failing to pass a Right To Counsel hurts black women, elders, seniors, children, and the disabled. We must protect our most vulnerable community members
Right to Counsel is legally sound, fiscally responsible, and is the right thing to do- right now!
Right To Counsel has been successfully implemented in 13 cities and 3 states, including Toledo. It is a proven and successful investment in people and neighborhoods.
A right to counsel keeps Detroiters in their homes and decreases homelessness.
A right to counsel prevents blight because the best blight prevention is keeping people in their homes.
A right to counsel is an investment in our community. There is a 3:1 return on investment for every dollar invested in a right to counsel.
Right to Counsel is an equitable, just, and responsible public policy. It is one of the most fiscally sound public policies the city has, and there is no reason not to fully fund it.
We cannot allow the Administration to weaponize the Law Department and CFO as a tactic for denying vulnerable Detroiters a Right to Counsel. A fully funded right to counsel would be less than 1% of the city budget. Right To Counsel yields a return on investment and stabilizes our communities!