Following the marches and protests regarding the events in Ferguson, Missouri,last semester, social relations and policy junior Jocelyn Hines returned to Muskegon, Michigan, determined to bring the same urgency for change to her hometown.
Her work began when she approached the pastor of her church, Rev. Anita McCants of Phillip Chapel AME Church, to put together a reclamation march.
Local churches brainstormed to come up with issues they would address during the march, which showed through their signs, emblazoned with messages such as “reclaim our families,” “black lives matter” and “breathe life into our city.”
Hines’ motivation to spearhead the Muskegon community’s mobilization about these issues was inspired by MSU rallies, the high murder rates in the Muskegon area and similar outrage in Cleveland, Ohio, and Staten Island, New York, following the violence and racial tension in Ferguson.
“We need more dialogue around the community,” Hines said. “I thought it would be great to do a march in my own community. I love the city and it has been given a bad reputation and it was time to take charge.”
Social media and letters to local churches helped spread Hines’ purpose. She hoped to gain feedback on other issues affecting residents. Her church held a meeting to decide where the march would go, what neighborhoods they would target and what main concerns would be addressed.
The reclamation march took place Saturday. Participants weaved in and out of residential areas and through intersections and corner stores, guided by police officers, and ended in a rally.
“It created a lot of excitement,” Hines said. “(Residents) didn’t really think we were going to do it with the weather, but we were determined to do it.”
This marks the first of many events to come. Hines said she hopes her church continues to lead more marches and resource fairs — anything to continue the conversation.
“(We’re) just trying to support other people trying to support their cities,” Hines said.
Her church now plans for these events to be monthly. Hines hopes to stay involved when she is home from college over breaks, but hopes her church continues without her. The goal is to get young people involved with their community, according to Hines.
“I’m excited for future events, hoping more people and churches participate and taking in to the next level and make change in government officials and police to create excitement in the city,” Hines said.
