BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. – Phoenix Williams, who recorded students taunting him and calling him the N-word while on the school bus when he was an eighth-grader in Bloomfield Hills, has already inspired change in his life. Phoenix said that bus ride and the impact of the incident has stuck with him, and watching the video of George Floyd’s death has motivated him to again work for change. MORE: Metro Detroit religious leaders fight for change in our communityPhoenix captured the school bus incident on video when he was 13 years old. He’s now a freshman at Howard University, but that moment in eighth grade still shaped much of his young life. You can hear from Phoenix in Hank Winchester’s full video above.

George Floyd video inspires Bloomfield Hills teen to continue working for changePublished: June 23, 2020, 5:37 pmPhoenix Williams, who recorded students taunting him and calling him the N-word while on the school bus when he was an eighth-grader in Bloomfield Hills, has already inspired change in his life.

DETROIT Dozens of people in the Detroit area were bailed out of jail during the coronavirus pandemic by nonprofits pushing to dismantle the cash bail system. Roughly 55 people in the area have been bailed out of jail during the pandemic by Michigan Liberation and The Bail Project, a national nonprofit with an office within the Detroit Justice Center. Under Michigan law, cash bail can be used for any criminal offense. The group was leading a coalition of organizations planning a Mothers Day bailout event for Black women. Loomis Quinlan said Michigan Liberation considers cases of bail up to $7,500, but $2,500 is the highest single amount the organization has paid so far.

The Michigan branch of NextGen America is hosting a virtual performance Saturday with Flint-based musician Tunde Olaniran as part of their Pride Week of Action.The musician is expected to offer a new performance created specifically for the event. The Nigerian-born, Flint-based musician is known for their unique and eclectic sound, fusing fast dance, electronic and hip-hop styles with socially-conscious lyrics. Olanirans first album, Transgressor, debuted in 2015 and their latest album, Stranger, was released in 2018. The musician has been featured on NPRs All Songs Considered and in New Yorker and PitchFork magazines, among others. Protestors are marching to demand change and decry racism and police brutality in the U.S.RELATED: Lawmakers use protest momentum to push state racial reforms

Many Black Americans also celebrate a day of freedom called Juneteenth on June 19, which commemorates the day the last African American slaves were notified of their freedom in 1865. Much like the Fourth of July, Juneteenth -- also known as Freedom Day or Jubilee Day -- is celebrated around the country with parades, cookouts and community gatherings. Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm named Juneteenth as a state holiday in 2005, declaring the third Sunday of June as Juneteenth National Freedom Day. This year, amid national unrest over the recent killings of Black Americans, Detroit is holding a weeklong celebration to commemorate Juneteenth. The city of Detroit began holding virtual discussions on Monday related to Black Americans culture and history on their Facebook Live.

We must do more than just condemn bigotry and acts of excessive force committed by law enforcement officers. Mandating law enforcement agencies report use of force data, disaggregated by race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion and age. Creating an independent investigative and prosecutorial process for deaths that involve the actions of law enforcement officers. Requiring continuing education for law enforcement officers as a license requirement; improving and standardizing police policies and trainings (including de-escalation, cultural competence and implicit bias trainings). Whitmer has encouraged continuing education for law enforcement officers, and has supported legislation that requires increased implicit bias and de-escalation training for Michigan officers.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A large protest formed in Washington Township on Friday as around 1,000 people gathered near the “Romeo Rock.”There has been controversy surrounding the rock since racist graffiti was sprayed on it earlier in the week. READ: Future of ‘Romeo Rock’ uncertain after ‘Black Lives Matter’ message replaced with racial slurDemonstrators took to the streets Friday in support of Black Lives Matter. The tiny Romeo community of about 3,600 people was rocked earlier this week when vandals wrote racial slurs on the rock, which is a landmark. The rock had been painted with the Black Lives Matter slogan before it was vandalized. Demonstrators Friday said their collective voice will drown out the few who vandalized their beloved rock.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. Shelby Townships police chief was placed on paid administrative leave during an investigation into alleged comments he made on social media about the George Floyd protests across the country. READ: Shelby Township police chief on paid leave over social media comments about George Floyd protestsA meeting is being held inside Shelby Township City Hall. Because the hall is closed to the public, part of the meeting is being held on a Zoom audio call. Shelide had a personal Twitter account where he posted inflammatory statements regarding the civil unrest around the country. The township supervisor said that the Tweets were unprofessional and could be considered racially insensitive and derogatory.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is hosting a live virtual town at 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Guests Former Vice President Joe Biden and Ohio Representative Marcia Fudge will discuss racism and racial disparities amid national protests following the killing of Black Minneapolis man George Floyd and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. You can watch the town hall from the NAACPs Facebook Live stream below:MORE: The Latest: Floyds brother urges lawmakers to make reforms

DETROIT Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan will host a news briefing at 3 p.m. Thursday to discuss resources available for salons, barbershops and other businesses reopening Monday amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Mayor Duggan previously established an 8 p.m. curfew for Detroit when protests became chaotic Downtown over one week ago. Detroit protests have since remained peaceful. Detroit transportation employees were concerned about unsafe working conditions and the spread of COVID-19. READ MORE: Reopening Michigan amid the COVID-19 pandemic

The idea behind Project Green Light is to use cameras linked to police to keep the community safe. 2 was to end Project Green Light. Now there are Project Green Light cameras all over the city. Beydoun said hes seen an increase in business because of Project Green Light. It will be up to them if Project Green Light continues or is shut down, Beydoun said.

DETROIT Around the country Americans are demanding change following the killing of George Floyd, a Black man, by a Minneapolis police officer. Americans are now marching and protesting for a second consecutive week to demand justice for Floyd and countless other Black Americans killed by police officers. Activists are calling for more than just justice, though -- they are calling for tangible change to prevent these tragedies from occurring in the future. Below are some resources to help explain what those demands entail and their significance amid the current national unrest. Policing alternative: Community-led public safety initiativesAdvocates believe that a new approach to public safety is necessary to ensure the safety of all American lives -- especially Black Americans who are disproportionately arrested, sentenced and killed by police around the country.

Police reform is not a new topic of conversation, however; police reform dates back to the mid 1800s and was continuously encouraged all throughout the 20th century. These past grievances, past harms by law enforcement, need to be addressed before even attempting to move forward.What does police reform look like? Police reform happening nowIn response to the national outrage over Floyds and Taylors deaths, police departments around the country have committed to police reform. Alternative to police reformSome advocates are calling to defund the police instead of promoting police reform following Floyds death. Defunding advocates argue that procedural police reform does not adequately address systemic racism in the U.S. and therefore wont effect enough change to make a difference for marginalized communities.

DETROIT The Detroit City Council released a statement Tuesday urging the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners to adopt police reformations amid the national unrest over the killing of George Floyd. People across the country are protesting against police brutality and demanding change to prevent further tragedies from occurring in the future. Detroit organizers have demanded more widespread change that includes but goes beyond the police department, including a move to defund the police, make Detroit a sanctuary city, restore running water to all city residents and more. READ MORE: Detroit protest leaders list 11 demands ahead of meeting with mayor, police chiefLast week Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones announced her support for the peaceful protests demanding justice for Floyd and countless other Black Americans unjustly killed by police officers. We still see them and we will do right by them.You can read the Detroit City Councils full statement supporting police reform by clicking here.

ROYAL OAK, Mich. A Royal Oak business owner who was heavily criticized for his initial response to employees wearing Black Lives Matter messages said he learned from the experience and supports the message. The Black Lives Matter movement is sparking conversations about race across the country, including in the corporate world. The first was in response to rumors Holiday Market had fired two workers for wearing Black Lives Matters messages on their uniforms. The first post was mostly to define what really happened, and the second post defined who we are, Violante said. In his second post, Violante wrote, Holiday Market stands firmly in the truth that Black Lives Matter.

DETROIT Authorities in Metro Detroit are skeptical of the Minneapolis City Council plan to disband the citys police department. Certainly they have probably the right to opt out of having a police department, Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon said. Right now, theres a call from protesters to defund the Detroit Police Department. People in the city of Detroit want their police department, Detroit police Chief James Craig said. What is the plan?Craig said he feels there will be reform or restructuring of police departments in Minneapolis and across the country.

DETROIT A former Detroit police chief who has worked closely with the Minneapolis Police Department for years said that department has some serious problems." Ike McKinnon, a well-known former Detroit police chief, has had a unique look inside the Minneapolis Police Department for a couple of years as a consultant. The police department has some serious problems," McKinnon said. There are serious problems with the minority community, McKinnon said. People dont understand there are serious problems, McKinnon said.

The now-former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin has been charged with unintentional second-degree murder in addition to third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Three other officers involved in the incident have been charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and second degree manslaughter. Still, Ellison says he is committed to prosecuting the former Minneapolis police officers to the fullest extent of the law. For 100 years after that, we were held as second-class citizens -- including in the north, like in Detroit and Minneapolis. His message comes just days after Minnesota agreed to ban police chokeholds and neck restraints following the killing of Floyd.

Defunding the police means what it says: Divesting funds from police departments and then reallocating them to social services and other community resources where they are needed. According to data compiled by the Urban Institute , state and local governments spend $115 billion on policing in 2017 in the U.S. Though advocates for the movement share a similar goal, the end results of defunding the police looks different to many. Researchers and advocates have suggested reinvesting the funds into housing, education, mental health, homelessness, domestic violence and similar services and programs. In his interview with CBC News, Vitale points out some potential flaws behind the move to reform police instead of defund them.

Demonstrators are gathering around the country to protest the killing of George Floyd and other Black Americans. Watch the live coverage from NBC News below. Protests have consumed cities across the U.S. following the killing of Black Minneapolis man George Floyd on May 25. A Minneapolis police officer killed Floyd by kneeling on his neck for more than eight minutes while he was in police custody, handcuffed and laying on the ground. READ: Prosecutors seek right mix of charges in George Floyd caseAll four officers were fired last week.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Shelby Township’s police chief was placed on paid administrative leave during an investigation into alleged comments he made on social media about the George Floyd protests across the country. One of the alleged tweets from Chief Robert Shelide referred to people in a photo as “wild savages” and talked about “body bags for these vicious subhumans." READ: Shelby Township police chief on paid leave over social media comments about George Floyd protestsShelide released a statement on Thursday noting that “an apology is insufficient and an insult to the gravity of my comments." He asked for the “courtesy of forgiveness” regarding the inflammatory comments he made on Twitter. My record speaks to the commitment and professionalism that I have exhibited for more than 30 years without incident, both of which were compromised by my emotion.

DETROIT Since the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis, cities around the country -- including Detroit -- have seen protests against police brutality and racial inequality. As we end the week with more protests and more unrest, a group of religious leaders joined Local 4 for a roundtable to discuss working to be part of change in our community and this country. The congregants at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Detroit and many others are virtually fighting for a change in race relations. My sense is, and Im not alone in this, is racism is primarily a white problem, said Bishop Bonnie Perry, of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. They force themselves into the fire to steel themselves to fight for change.

Shelby Township police chief on leave after inflammatory tweets surfacePublished: June 4, 2020, 6:10 pmShelby Township’s police chief has been placed on paid administrative leave during an investigation into alleged comments he made on social media about the George Floyd protests across the country.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Shelby Township’s police chief has been placed on paid administrative leave during an investigation into alleged comments he made on social media about the George Floyd protests across the country. Police brutality protests prompted Twitter user Bobby S. to say, “This makes me want to vomit. Please pray.”Shelby Township police Chief Robert Shelide (Shelby Township Police Department)“I would hit them with tear gas and water cannons, rubber bullets,” Bobby S. replied. It’s a for of surrender.”The Bobby S. account replied, “100% agree. “The core of all of our beliefs as Americans is due process, presumption of innocents and equal protection under the law and the right of freedom of expression,” Shelby Township spokesperson Brad Bates said.

DETROIT Local 4 has learned why Detroit officials decided not to enforce the curfew Wednesday night when protesters continued to march through the streets past 8 p.m.Mayor Mike Duggan said he let Detroit police Chief James Craig make the call on whether to enforce the curfew. READ: Protesters declare victory after Detroit police let them march without enforcing curfewOn Friday and Saturday, when the sun went down, peaceful protesters went home while violent protesters tried to take over the streets. We agree with protesters, Duggan said. On Thursday night, Craig put himself alongside protesters, and the mayor left it up to him to make the controversial call to disregard the curfew. Protesters have gathered for Thursday night, and the curfew is still on.

Gretchen Whitmer and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan joined a unity march through Detroit to honor the life of George Floyd. Whitmer and Duggan joined local clergy and law enforcement members, starting in Highland Park and ending on Woodward Avenue near Wayne State University. We need to stand up and we need to speak out and we need to take action, Presbyterian leader Bob Agnew said. As the march neared Wayne State, everyone turned the corner at Warren Avenue and took a knee, giving Floyd a moment of silence. We know that we are at a tipping point in this country and we cannot let this day only be a day, Whitmer said.

DETROIT – Many people watching police brutality protests around the county and in Metro Detroit want to donate, but officials are warning that scammers are trying to cash in on the opportunity. Scammers are looking to take advantage of the generosity of people who try to donate on behalf of the George Floyd protests. If you want to donate, don’t rush, BBB officials said. Investigate where your money is going and donate to local organizations. There are some legitimate organizations and accounts that have been established for donations.

DETROIT Detroits police chief and community leaders criticized out-of-town protesters who are coming to the city and seem intent on creating a confrontation. Whitmer during COVID-19 pandemicRay Winans, a Detroit mentor and community leader, said he doesnt condone protesters destroying the city. Its not right, and its outright disrespectful.On Tuesday night, protesters marched up Gratiot Avenue and got into a confrontation with Detroit police officers when they refused to disperse. The rest were from Detroit suburbs, except for six from Maryland, Washington, D.C., California and New York City. Do you care about the city of Detroit? Craig asked.

DETROIT Young Detroiters have been garnering a lot of praise for their handling of some tense situations during the protests. One of the standouts has been a 22 year-old woman named Gabrielle Wilson. RELATED: Detroit authorities, community leaders working together to keep protests peacefulWilson has stood out for her strong message against police brutality and her ability to keep things calm. Wilson continues to work her shifts as a security guard and on no sleep, she continues to protest. Wilson has also stood out to Detroit film maker Stephen McGee.

DETROIT The outrage over George Floyds killing in Minneapolis has spilled over into violence around the country, but in Detroit, authorities and community leaders are working together to keep protests peaceful. From Detroit City Hall to the neighborhoods, people are making sure violence and vandalism is contained during protests. That success has a lot to do with the relationships police build with community leaders such as Maurice Hardwick, better known as Pastor Mo. Detroiters such as artists Trick Trick, Tray Little and Gabrielle Wilson all defended the city. You can hear from Bettison and Pastor Mo in Shawn Leys full video posted above.

Here are some steps to take to avoid spreading the coronavirus (COVID-19) if youre participating in protests. The coronavirus is still circulating in our communities, and obviously, many people in the crowds werent wearing masks. That could increase the risk of spreading COVID-19 in communities that havent been hit as hard during the pandemic. The incubation time is generally somewhere between five and 14 days. Remember, you might not have symptoms, but you can still spread the virus if youre infected.

Health experts fear those crowds will further spread the coronavirus (COVID-19) because people are standing too close together, and many arent wearing masks. Every day at 2 p.m., the Detroit Health Department posts the citys specific numbers. After three days of close, person-to-person contact during protests, health officials worry about what will happen to the trend in 12-14 days -- the incubation period for the virus. My fear is were going to have another spike, said Denise Fair, the chief public health officer for the Detroit Health Department. READ: Steps for avoiding spread of coronavirus after protestingShe said it was shocking to see so many people without masks shouting and chanting.