NEWS

A preview of the protest “Operation: Accountability”

Operation: Accountability is a planned continuation of previous protests supporting Black Lives Matter and racial equity — such as this one last summer at the University of Michigan — and a response to last month’s siege on the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Torrence Williams | Washtenaw Voice

by ELINOR EPPERSON
Contributor

Update 2/11/2021: Due to inclement weather, the date of the protest has been moved to Saturday, Mar. 13.

Local activists are planning a protest for Saturday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. in downtown Ann Arbor. Called “Operation: Accountability,” the protest will begin on the Diag with speakers from the area. A march will follow the gathering if weather permits.

Survivors Speak, a local non-profit whose mission is to “[amplify] the voices of those who have experienced injustice,” is organizing the event for multiple reasons. The protest is a continuation of previous protests supporting Black Lives Matter and racial equity. It is also a response to the insurrection in Washington almost a month ago.

“[The protest] is about democracy,” says Trische Duckworth, founder of Survivors Speak. The Jan. 6 riot showed that we need to “hold [our] governmental officials accountable” and “stay the course” to affect change, she says. Duckworth hopes the protest will inspire attendees and onlookers alike to get involved in their community and “uphold the democratic process” — as safely as possible.

Participants are encouraged to wear masks, bring hand sanitizer, and maintain social distancing. Organizers will have masks and hand sanitizers on-site to distribute to attendees. For more information, visit the event’s page on Facebook.