Detroit Evening Report: Pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Chicago; Michigan delegates prepare for DNC and more

On this episode of the Detroit Evening Report, stories include the Pro-Palestinian demonstrations unfolding outside the Democratic National Convention in Chicago; Michigan delegates’ preparations for the week’s convention and more.

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Protesters march in Chicago

Pro-Palestinian and anti-war demonstrators marched from Union Park to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday to protest the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Chicago officials said they were committed to keeping the demonstrations peaceful. The Associated Press reports that protesters broke through a fence set up by police near the convention site Monday.

Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud recently met with Vice President Kamala Harris, who’s set to accept the Democratic nomination for president at the convention this week. A source with knowledge of the meeting says they talked about how Harris might approach the issue if she wins the November presidential election. Her campaign says she supports deals for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. 

-Reporting by Pat Batcheller, WDET News

Michigan delegates prepare for DNC 

A top Michigan Democrat says party leaders need to stress messages that speak to Michiganders during this week’s national convention in Chicago. State Rep. Jason Morgan is the Michigan Democratic Party’s first vice chair. 

He says the party needs to be unified coming out of the convention and needs to show support for Michigan’s working class. 

“We can do great things to rebuild the middle class in this country, and I think that’s going be a big focused for us,” he said.

 Tonight’s convention speakers include President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. NPR’s convention coverage begins at 9 p.m. on 101.9 WDET.

-Reporting by Steve Carmody, Michigan Public

Neighborhood Wellness Centers offer free health screenings

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Detroit Health Department are offering overall wraparound health services to the community.

Seven Neighborhood Wellness Centers in Detroit will offer free resources, including COVID-19 testing, and free blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol screenings.  

Visit detroitmi.gov/health for more information and locations.  

Satellite Hub expands health services in Detroit

The Detroit Health Department launched a new satellite health center at the Samaritan Center on Detroit’s east side. The space will offer immunizations for children and adults, lead screenings, and supplemental nutrition education through the Women, Infants, and Children or WIC program.

The center will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, and is located at 5555 Conner St., Suite 2224, Detroit. 

Redford Theatre hosting free movie weekend

The Redford Theatre in Detroit will host free movies this weekend as part of Pluto TV’s “Summer of Cinema” campaign supporting independently run theaters in the U.S. The independent nonprofit theater will give out free tickets for screenings of the first Indiana Jones film, “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” at  2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

There will be 400 free tickets per show available for purchase online, with 100 free tickets in person. People can purchase additional tickets for $7, or $5 for seniors and kids. 

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.