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2 JUNE 12, 2026 | VOLUME 17| ISSUE 13 $ Come celebrate Juneteenth! page 3 YOUR PURCHASE BENEFITS THE VENDORS. PLEASE BUY ONLY FROM BADGED VENDORS. VENDOR NO. 674 MEET YOUR VENDOR: BRIDGET GOTHAM PAGE 3 15 YEARS OF NEWS AND SOLUTIONS FROM THE GROUND UP | WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICH. Weekly rallies at Women's Huron Valley Prison call for medical clemency, transparency, reparations, facility closure. page 6 More than 60 people gathered outside Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility on Wednesday, June 10 protesting abuse and neglect. THIS PAPER WAS BOUGHT FROM • Proposal: Housing-development accelerator • Charbonneau: Open your eyes to housing inequity. PAGE 4 @groundcovernews, include vendor name and vendor #

2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER15 JUNE 12, 2026 PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELFDETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes towards production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Vendors are the main contributors to the paper, and are compensated to write and report. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF June Miller Anabel Sicko Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Emeri Jade Bey Pony Bush Pedro Campos Jim Clark David Crane Cindy Gere Kimani Hamilton Mike Jones James Manning Ken Parks Denise Shearer Ayat Sohoubah Veera Vehkasalo Felicia Wilbert Emilie Ziebarth PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett VOLUNTEERS Jane Atkins Jessi Averill Libby Chambers Stephanie Dong Ben Foster Glenn Gates Jacob Fallman Robert Klingler Aklesia Maereg Margaret Patston Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Emilie Ziebarth BOARD of DIRECTORS Anna Gersh Greg Hoffman Jessi Averill Jacob Fallman Jack Edelstein Glenn Gates Mike Jones Hailu Shitaye Shelley DeNeve Steve Borgsdorf CONTACT US Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO OLD ISSUES + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org WAYS TO SUPPORT 1. Buy the paper, read the paper. 2. Get the word out — We rely on grassroots marketing. Talk to people about Groundcover and share us with your network. 3. Volunteer — You'll learn a lot about our vendors, the newspaper and your community. Interested in volunteering regularly? Fill out the form on our website. 4. Advertise your company, organization, event or resource — see rates below. 5. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram — promote our posts and share your favorite articles and vendor interactions. 6. Donate items — A seasonally appropiate list of items most needed at our office and on the street is available on our website. Drop off anytime we're open.

JUNE 12, 2026 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR The annual Juneteenth events Bridget Gotham, vendor No. 674 In one sentence, who are you? A people person. Where do you usually sell Groundcover News? In front of Potbelly on State Street. I also sell at the Ypsilanti Farmers Market on both Tuesdays and Saturdays! When and why did you start selling Groundcover? February 2026. Needed employment! What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor? Hustle and make money. What words do you live by? Treat others as I like to be treated. What is something about you that someone on the street wouldn’t know? I’m an Army Brat. My dad was in the Army. What motivates you to work hard selling Groundcover? Being a part of a team. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Soul food. What was your first job? Ann Arbor News newspaper delivery, age 14! What are your hobbies? Anything sports. What song do you have completely memorized? "Don’t Stop Believin’" by Journey What are you likely to be famous for? My last name – Gotham. What is a small thing that makes your day better? Good customers and making sales! are going on June 19-21. I’ve been to the Ann Arbor African American Festival in Kerrytown and the annual Ypsilanti Juneteenth behind Puffer Reds. Ypsi’s Juneteenth celebration will have music, entertainment and food; they sell items of African history and culture. They sell hot dogs, chips, pizza and ribs – they might even sell pig’s feet. You can expect to hear Black music, old school music and up-to-date R&B songs, all by Black performers. I’m sure there will be group dancing, too. If you don’t know what it is, GROUNDCOVER NEWS Come celebrate Juneteenth! PONY BUSH Groundcover vendor No. 305 Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19th. It's a holiday because June 19, 1865, is considered the actual end of slavery. Most Americans think the Emancipation Proclamation (signed on January 1, 1863) freed the slaves in the south, but that’s not the full story. In reality many slaves didn’t know about the proclamation, and it only really applied to certain slaves in the confederacy … depending on Union victory. On June 19, 1865 Union Troops came to Texas to enforce freedom. I recommend you go to these events and have fun and see the sights. You’ll learn a little bit about history and people! Everyone is welcome to come! See page 9 for more details. Truth or Lies Mystery Lane: Time Travellers LLC, The Lady Ellialia screamed, “Help!” The baby was coming early, one month early to be exact. She was 15 and tied to the local railroad tracks in Marshall, Texas. Ellialia’s husband abandoned the baby and her. She was lying there hoping for anyone to save her and the baby. Armond fell onto the dirt road. Without warning his time machine had thrust him into 1869. He knew it had to be urgent — that’s the only way his machine would thrust him into another time period. Looking around, following the shouts for help, he found Ellialia. “Who would tie a pregnant woman to the train tracks?” he was thinking while cutting the ropes loose. She moaned, grabbing her stomach. Armond asked, “Where do you live?” Ellialia moaned. “Over that ridge,”’ pointing north. He picked her up and began to walk. Upon arriving at her cabin, the baby came quickly. It was a girl she named Evangeline. Armond thought the problem had been solved. He returned to his office the next morning. However, while he was researching Ellialia’s family and history, a woman walked into his office and fainted. Once she recovered Armond asked how he could help her. The lady took off her gloves and said, “I am fading away, please can you help me? Something has gone — I must save you.” Evangeline was confused and afraid, however she grabbed his hand. She knew when the mean man awoke he would continue trying to kill her. Armond explained to the FELICIA WILBERT Groundcover vendor No. 234 young woman, ”You are not in the right place in your life. journey you will die.” He took her hand, turned his hat backwards. wrong in my family. My name is Evangeline Brewster. I am from Marshall, Texas.” He typed her name into his computer. His hat started buzzing; Armond asked the woman to excuse him. He went into the bathroom and locked the door. The hat thrust him into 1884. Armond landed not a second too soon. He landed falling on top of a man who was striking a 15-year-old child with a rock. Knocking the man unconscious, he asked the young lady, “Are you alright?” She was in shock, seeing him appear out of nowhere. Armond asked her name. “Evangeline Brewster,” she replied. “Where did you come from, the heavens?” she asked. “Don’t worry, you are safe with me,” Armond said. His Pinkerton badge was showing. The woman felt a little relief knowing that he was the law. Armond said to the woman quickly, “Please take my hand Whoosh, they traveled to 1885 and landed in the fields on the Armstrong Estate. Evangeline landed into a time of her life when she had time to run and play. Armond knew in two years she would be married to Robert Wood Johnson and have three children who would invent Johnson & Johnson medical products. When he returned to his office the lady was not waiting any longer. However, knowing she was in the right place in her life was enough for him. He did not have to explain how and when he changed the past to correct the future. Thank you, Truth or Lies Mystery Lane readers. Time Travel LLC parts one and two, published March 6 and April 17, 2026 respectively, were FALSE. If you continue this 3

4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS PUBLIC SERVICES 3 more years for Throne EMILIE ZIEBARTH Groundcover contributor Public bathrooms in Ann Arbor have received the royal treatment, but what is the status of Ann Arbor’s famous Throne toilets? In the summer of 2023, the city launched its pilot of a partnership with Throne, a private company which provides and maintains portable full service toilets, complete with running water, a mirror, and changing tables. The high-tech units are equipped with multiple mechanisms for providing feedback on cleanliness, including 21 internal sensors and a survey, which prompts users to rate the condition of the unit. The toilets can be accessed by cell phone, using either a QR code, text message, or mobile app. For those without a phone, key cards are available at the Ann Arbor City Hall, the Delonis Center and First Baptist Church. The phone and key card entry system allows Throne to collect data on usage volume for timely cleaning, and, for safety reasons, allows the unit to limit a single use to 10 minutes. After the initial one year pilot, the city reviewed data and found that the toilet’s ratings were higher than projected, reported Throne. Year one results found: a 4.4/5 average cleanliness rating and zero instances requiring law enforcement, quieting concerns that the public toilets may serve as sites for criminal behavior or be poorly maintained. Since then, the city has extended its contract with Throne for five years. For 2025-26, the City signed a $541,000 contract with Throne to continue with the maintenance of eight toilets downtown. The Downtown Development Authority is partnering with the city to provide funding for the toilets. While the current year-long agreement ends in June, City Administrator Derek Delacourt confirmed that the city has renewed its contract with Throne for 2026-27. There was some initial chatter in the city that the Throne units were in place to test possible locations for permanent public bathrooms, but Delacourt stated that the city is not currently considering constructing new permanent public toilets. Ann Arbor is not alone in its need for more public toilets. The United States averages just eight public toilets per 100,000 residents, while nations with Throne bathroom on Liberty St. comes in handy during street festivals like Sonic Lunch. the highest concentration have over fifty public toilets per 100,000 (Public Toilet Index.) While most avoid the topic, the reality is: everyone needs to go. Indeed, 70% of Americans report using public toilets one to five times per week (Bradley’s Handwashing Survey.) The need for public toilets goes beyond convenience and should be understood as a public health issue, as many, including unhoused individuals and those with certain chronic illnesses, experience debilitating consequences without access to a Private labor, public services AYAT SOHOUBAH U-M student contributor Across a wide range of basic city functions, Ann Arbor has repeatedly chosen private contracting over direct municipal provision. In recent years, the City Council has approved or renewed contracts for street resurfacing, sidewalk repair, street tree pruning, park forestry work, sidewalk snow removal and janitorial services. These decisions reveal the pattern that Ann Arbor keeps public responsibility at the level of funding, oversight and contract management, while moving much of the actual labor outside city government. The City still raises the money, writes the specifications, awards the contracts and remains politically accountable for the results, but outside firms often do the day-to-day labor. In 2026 alone, the city moved to renew a $6.7 million street resurfacing contract with Cadillac Asphalt and a sidewalk repair contract with Precision Concrete. In 2024, it approved contracts with PPM Tree Service for routine street tree pruning and with Davey Tree for park forestry services. A $1.14 million janitorial contract for major city facilities was approved by it in 2023. In the 2024 sidewalk snow removal contract, staff wrote that snow clearing on city-maintained sidewalks had historically been done by Parks staff for Public Works, but that those employees were also responsible for parks, parking lots and facility maintenance, creating “competing interests” that reduced the staff available for timely pedestrian snow removal. The team presented the contract with Target Facility Management to improve efficiency. In the City’s towing system, Ann Arbor’s own documents state that public tows are typically administered through contracts with private tow companies, and officials said a revised arrangement with Washtenaw County was meant to improve customer service and reduce costs to people whose vehicles were towed. On the City’s towing page today, residents can still find approved towing companies and pay them directly for towing and storage fees. Seen one by one, these decisions can look routine, but taken together, they suggest a larger picture of how Ann Arbor understands public responsibility. The City appears to prefer an administrative model in which the government sets rules and manages contracts, while private firms carry out the work itself. What makes this especially notable is that alternatives have been discussed. In 2021 and 2022, the City Council directly explored the possibility of municipal sidewalk snow removal. The Transportation Commission endorsed municipal sidewalk snow removal as an urgent need, and a city memo analyzed the feasibility of a city-run program for winter sidewalk maintenance. That memo estimated first-year costs at about $559,153 and second-year costs at about $394,152, for a two-year total of roughly $953,305. By comparison, the 2024 sidewalk snow removal contract with Target Facility Management was approved for up to $150,000 for one year. The cityrun option would likely cost more, but that is also the point: the debate is not only about the cheapest short-term arrangement, but about what level of public investment Ann Arbor is willing to make in basic services. That is where a Zohran Mamdani-style frame becomes useful. Mamdani, the mayor of New York City, has argued for a more direct government role in providing public services. During a major winter storm, his administration promoted New York’s emergency snow shoveler program, which employed more than 1,000 people to help clear snow during active snowfall. The example is useful because it shows a different way of thinking about snow removal: not only as a service to be managed, but as public work that can be organized through the city itself. Whether or not one agrees with those politics, it offers a useful contrast. It asks a different question: not simply who can do a job cheapest this year, but whether some basic services should remain under more direct public control. Ann Arbor’s repeated reliance on contractors may be efficient in some cases, but it also raises a broader question about what residents should expect from city government. If services like snow removal, sidewalk repair, tree maintenance and facility cleaning are all treated mainly as contracts to administer, then public responsibility becomes more distant from the actual work people rely on every day. The City should not reject contracting entirely, but it should be more willing to ask when direct municipal service would create stronger accountability, better long-term capacity and a clearer public commitment to the people who live here. public bathroom. Yet, solutions to the issue have been plagued by bureaucratic inefficiencies in many cities, perhaps most famously New York City, which has had 15 self-cleaning toilets in a storage unit since 2006, due to an inability to select locations for the units. Ann Arbor’s program is a hopeful success story in the crappy history of U.S. public bathrooms, and the model seems to be catching on; Royal Oak and Detroit have followed suit, installing their own Throne toilets in July 2025. JUNE 12, 2026

JUNE 12, 2026 PUBLIC SERVICES YDL offers Noise Permit and more for summer Noise Permit is the annual summer staple put on by Ozone House and Ypsilanti District Library. The free summer workshop series serves local youth and young adults (ages 10 to 24) by teaching music production, performance and, new this year, videography. The program was started in 2011 to give young creatives a dedicated space to hone their skills and collaborate, eventually culminating in a live showcase. This summer, it is expanding the way teens can explore their creative interests. The Michigan Arts and Culture Council increased its funding to more than $15,000 this year, which helped purchase new equipment and bring more programs to Noise Permit. With the increased funding, four new Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) will enable youth to learn more about the technology needed to create this art form. “We were able to purchase four complete audio work stations and all four have a midi keyboard and microphone packs that can plug in to the laptops,” YDL librarian Stephanie Pocsi-Marrison said. In addition to the traditional beat creation, writing and lyric editing, audio recording, editing and mixing workshops, Noise Permit will now include videography, visual storytelling and video editing. Youth will be able to use the DAWs at the library or at the Ozone House Drop-in Center during the workshop season. A digital camera and other videography equipment will also be available, along with new recording accessories. This popular workshop series is aimed at teens who are interested in working with local professional artists to learn new skills. The workshop series will culminate in a live concert with stage performances by youth participants on Friday, August 7, 6-8 p.m., at YDL’s downtown Library Plaza (229 W. Michigan Ave.). “We really wanted to focus on increasing our capacity for teaching and providing access to the technology and materials,” said Pocsi-Morrison. “With access to our own set of DAWs and videography equipment, we can invite teen and young adult participants to record at the library or Ozone House whenever they are free.” Another new component to Noise Permit this year is Wednesday Night Table Talk. Once a week, a guest artist will share a meal with young artists. These guest artists will MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 answer questions and share more about their creative practices, the role art plays in their lives, navigating the business side of being a creative artist and using social media to promote creative work. “Learning how to use your voice in writing is the key to advocacy,” said YDL Parapro Shayla Card-Nowlin. “Learning how to collaborate is how we learn how to ask for help, and being in a community is how we learn to create a safe space for all.” YDL-Michigan (229 W. Michigan Avenue) also offers the following opportunities for fun this summer: Opportunity Awaits! Visit Michigan Works! Southeast the second Friday of each month, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A representative will be in the building to answer questions and provide information and assistance on job leads, employment, job fairs and career guidance. All services are free of charge unless otherwise noted. Michigan Works! Southeast offers career guidance, access to training, free job fairs, and workshops. For more information, visit www.mwse.org. Join other families every Monday at 10:30 a.m., starting June 15, for Downtown Storytime at the YDL to explore early literacy skills and talk about how learning and playing together benefit you and your child. This storytime will have something for everyone and dedicated space for infants to enjoy the fun. Each week they will explore a new theme, like fairytales, engineering, or creating art, while singing, dancing, reading and playing together! Interested in leveling up your cooking abilities? Join FedUp Ministries, Monday, June 15, 1:30 p.m., for a chef boot camp where you decide the skills you want to work on. Learn to cook for a crowd, dice any veggie or innovate with basic ingredients to create something new and mouth-watering. Any highly motivated and food-curious kiddos are invited to hone their chef skills! Ages 8-18. Thursday, June 18, 11 a.m., “JuneStorytime: A teenth Musical Century of Black History.” Learn more about music through the generations and then practice playing and making music with different instruments and tools. This is the rescheduled event with Drummasphere from February. Friday, June 19, 3 p.m., “Juneteenth of jazz and poetry.” Michigan Poet Laureate Melba Joyce Boyd returns alongside award-winning jazz bassist Marion Hayden's Legacy Ensemble, featuring pianist Ian Finkelstein and drummer Tariq Gardner. Mentored by master trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, Marion Hayden began performing jazz at the age of 15. Hayden has performed with such diverse luminaries as Bobby McFerrin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Geri Allen, Regina Carter, Steve Turre, David Allen Grier, James Carter and Nancy Wilson. Widely recognized as an advocate for the preservation of cultural and artistic legacy, she was honored with the prestigious Kresge Artist Fellowship, the Spirit of Detroit Award, and the Jazz Hero Award from the National Association of Jazz Journalists. Hayden has collaborated for more than 20 years with Michigan Poet Laureate Dr. Melba Joyce Boyd, creating original musical landscapes to accompany Boyd's rich tapestry of poetry. The library is honored to showcase this legendary friendship during Juneteenth downtown. The Superior and Whitaker Ypsilanti District Library branches are also full of summertime fun and events! Visit website ypsilibrary.org GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library Open 10am–8pm Daily Visit any of our five locations across town to browse books, magazines, newspapers, and more. Check out movies, CDs, art prints, musical instruments, or even home tools—you name it! Enjoy fast and free WiFi, study and meeting rooms, and plenty of comfortable spaces to relax or hang out. Unusual Stuff To Borrow There’s more to borrow at AADL than books, music, and movies. To name a few, there are games, telescopes, stories to go kits, and home tools. Check out these unusual yet handy items during your next library visit. Michigan Activity Pass With a valid library card from any Michigan public library, you can print a pass to participating organizations through the Michigan Activity Pass website. Some partners offer complimentary or reduced-price admission; others, discounts in their gift shop or other exclusive offers. Summer Game Code: ITSCOVERED FEATURED EVENT 5 2025 Noise Permit performance. Courtesy of the Ypsilanti District Library. Tuesday, June 16 • 7 PM • Hollway Field It’s AADL Night when the Mighty Oak women’s team takes the pitch against Detroit FC. Get in FREE with your AADL card & get ready for giant games, stickers, t-shirts, & a BIG Summer Game code. Learn more at afcannarbor.com.

6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS INJUSTICE JUNE 12, 2026 Weekly rallies at Women's Huron Valley Prison call for medical clemency, transparency, reparations, facility closure LINDSAY CALKA Publisher Over the past month, three women have died while in custody at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility (WHV), amplifying the decades-long movement to shut down the only women’s prison in Michigan and free Krystal Clark, along with all medically fragile and elderly women. Earlier this year, Michigan State Representative Laurie Pohutsky presented a case of abuse and neglect being inflicted upon women at WHV to the Michigan House Oversight Committee. During the February 24 session, former employees and inmates testified to black mold, sexual assault of inmates by corrections officers, denial of medical attention, drug trafficking by prison employees — and retaliation for attempting to speak out against these injustices prior. The oversight committee voiced concern in response to the presenation, but no concrete actions were taken beyond calling for further investigation. This inaction proved to have deathly consequences. Khaira Howard, 28, died May 14, 2026. She was sentenced to be released May 27. Witnesses report she was left alone for 45 minutes while supposed to be under medical observation by prison staff. Two days later on May 16, Rebecca Fackler, 57, died from a severe cyst infection in her leg born from a surgery complication. June 6, Ashley Hoath, 36, died. Cause of death is officially unknown, with mixed reports of suicide and overdose. Michigan elected officials have published statements calling for the resignation of Heidi Washington, Michigan Department of Corrections Director. A June 10 rally outside the prison on Bemis Road in Ypsilanti brought out more than 60 community members and affected family members. A coalition of organizations presented demands including: Independent and transparent investigations surrounding the deaths of Hoath, Howard and Fackler; Release all findings, medical files and bodycam/ security footage to their families; Financial reparations to the grieving families and for the women inside surviving torture due to medical neglect and uninhabitable conditions at WHV; Immediate outside medical care to all women needing treatment; Medical clemency for all the severely frail women inside; Gretchen Whitmer immediately release Krystal Clark; Shut Down Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility "the Valley of Death." Krystal Clark is a whistle-blower suffering from mold exposure. You can read more about the campaign to free Krystal in the May 1, 2026, May 31, 2024 and Feb. 9, 2024 editions of Groundcover News. Rallies will continue weekly on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. outside WHV, 3201 E. Bemis Road. Community member writes postcard to Gov. Whitmer, demanding she grant medical clemency to Krystal Clark. Loved ones of Khaira Howard wave signs in her memory. Howard, 28, died inside WHV less than two weeks before her release date. The age of pride, vanity and convenient hypocrisy This particular span of time that humanity has been witness to has been a remarkable age of wonder. In less than two centuries we have developed technology that has revolutionized humankind's very way of life and every conceivable subject it entails. Medicine, transportation, industry and every conceivable discipline has evolved in ways that have dramatically impacted the quality of life for pretty much every person on earth — yet not always positively. Despite the rapid advancement of our world, humanity has remained unable to cease its talent for showcasing the absolute worst traits of human nature. Additionally, unfortunately, that particular showmanship has also evolved, and atrocities alone are no longer enough for satisfaction; we have been discovering ways to take it many steps further. Despite multiple millennia in which through trial and error we experience, we learn, and we are humbled, we find ways to behave as if we’ve never learned a thing. Regardless of knowing better, we tend to use presumed traits of others, regardless of how flawed, and the lack of either factual or firsthand JAMES MANNING Groundcover vendor No. 16 knowledge of them, as a justification. Even if the argument is so weak it’s more accurate to just call it an excuse rather than a justification. Even though we know it’s wrong and outright bigoted, it’s still a tool nearly everybody reaches for. Many, if not most, people will hardly even hesitate to mistreat others, especially if a self-serving purpose is involved. Going back to knowing better, we know this to be morally wrong at the very least. No matter how harmful it turns out to be for the person you targeted, you are going to do what you want over what is right, most times. When everything’s done you will either be absolutely convinced the person you exploited deserved it or had it coming in some way. That belief is fact to you, so much so that the last thing you will ever willingly concern yourself with is the truth, especially because whatever action you have taken has been rationalized and excused to allow you to feel that you have in fact done nothing wrong. We as a species have come a long way in all we have learned and discovered, yet still the average person behaves this way nearly every day of their life or whenever the chance arises. Believing proudly they are in the right and would possibly murder anyone who tells them otherwise, over admitting reality. Admitting to being anything less than perfect is to turn your back on your own sense of pride. Unfortunately this is the golden age of inflamed ego, shameless pride and the vanity to eternally avoid having to address the less than honorable things people do. If I were to define modern day America in a single world, it would be vanity. It really does capture the shallowness associated with the average person here. The willingness to simultaneously feign ignorance, which in turn excuses living in existential dread of your neighbors as potential threats. And so it's treated as a universal truth, especially when a great deal of media we consume bombards us with these implications. Therefore we find ourselves with tailor-made and sound reasons for pre-emptive attack. We’ll often find anyone with perceived vulnerabilities who is unlikely capable of defending themself from whatever it is we have in mind. Again this is largely for self-serving purposes where the basic strategy involves the greatest reward at minimum risk. We instinctively know all this is wrong, and we do it over and over and over. All this leaves a void. Not just between classes but in the very nature of how we communicate. People think so highly of themselves, all the while being fundamentally broken on so many levels. This article isn’t underlining anything particularly new. However, I try my best to encourage others to give the world around us a slightly more critical analysis. The seemingly endless list of problems we face today will never get resolved (and they are never going to just go away on their own) until the day we drop all the fear and are willing to address them.

JUNE 12, 2026 INSP VEERA VEHKASALO ISO Numero Finland used to be one of the leading countries in Europe for managing homelessness, and for a long time, homelessness in the country was falling. Finland even introduced the Housing First model around the world. But last year, the number of people without a permanent home rose for the second year in a row. In 2025, the increase was as much as 20%, the highest in the history of keeping statistics on homelessness. “I’m really afraid that this will result in an ugly mess,” said Paula Saikkonen, Research Manager at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. Saikkonen has researched the welfare state and social security, among other things, and is concerned about the direction of the current situation. She notes that homelessness is a kind of extreme circumstance, and states that by the time we get to the stage where solutions to homelessness must be found, the situation is already quite bad. “Homelessness is the consequence of long-term development, and it rarely happens overnight.” The situation today is that there is no end to the recession in sight, longterm unemployment is rising, and the need for social assistance is increasing. At the same time, social assistance and housing allowances have been cut. As a result, Saikkonen noted that households are experiencing deepening financial distress. In addition, client fees for social care and healthcare services are rising, and many people will have to pay more and more fees out of their own pockets. Saikkonen explained that this means people will not go to the doctor, or they will try to save on housing costs. “These are the choices that people make. Rent arrears are not often the result of someone simply stopping their rent payments. Rather, people pay a small part of the rent, and the arrears accumulate over time.” Rent arrears is the most common reason for evictions, and a record of payment disruption makes it difficult to get a new apartment. Some people hit rock bottom, which, at its most extreme, leads to homelessness. “The noose tightens for those who are in a very difficult financial position,” Saikkonen summarized. She pointed out there is still no research data on the reasons for the current acceleration in homelessness. However, she believes that social security cuts play a role. “Social security has been reduced throughout the term of the current government. There have been many changes, and, of course, they accumulate.” It is precisely these cumulative cuts that “constantly target people who are already in challenging positions,” as Saikkonen put it, that will result in an ugly mess. In Finland, the Centre for State-Subsidized Housing Construction collects data from municipalities to compile annual statistics on homelessness. The municipalities also believe that the reasons for the increase in homelessness are the changes to social security, and the lack of proportion between rent levels and housing costs approved by Kela (the government agency in charge of social security programmes). How big a role does adequate social security play in homelessness policy and the prevention of homelessness? “It does play a big role,” Saikkonen said. However, she points out that social security does not only mean financial benefits, but, more broadly, it also refers to various social care and healthcare services. Preventing homelessness also requires a wide range of social work services, healthcare, housing advice … “People need personalized encounters. A housing allowance is enough for a large number of people, but some people need income support. Our public services could make sure that people do not end up in terribly bad life situations.” This is at the heart of the Finnish welfare state. Housing alone is not enough to prevent homelessness; the entire system must operate in such a way that people do not fall through the cracks. To sum up, a good homelessness policy needs a broad welfare state. The latest changes to income support will take effect in the spring and will cut or limit benefits for many people. How does Saikkonen view the coming developments? “It looks awful, especially for vulnerable groups.” She admitted that the situation is difficult as the national economy is in a terrible state and there is little work to be had. “But this is the time when we should expressly ensure that if and when the situation improves, there will be people in the country who are able to work and to function.” Currently, the cuts are targeted at people in very difficult positions, and many of them do not have the opportunity to influence their situation, or even to take care of their own affairs. As we know from the health sector, Saikkonen points out, acting in time is much cheaper than treating a chronic problem. If you are already homeless, it may take a long time to recover from the situation. “In the long run, it is a problem for everyone if people are falling off a cliff.” Translated from Finnish via Translators Without Borders. Courtesy of Iso Numero, a street paper in Finland. Ville (name changed) is homeless in Turku. He was waiting for a place in supported housing. Turku has the highest number of homeless people per capita in Finland. Photo by Veera Vehkasalo GROUNDCOVER NEWS The noose tightens: homelessness continues to rise in Finland 7 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed for a voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling an issue more than 4 weeks old. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code or leave positive review of a Vendor experience please email contact@ groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website.

8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS YPSILANTI On May 22, an announcement from Ypsilanti Mayor Nicole Brown was posted on Facebook that read: “As many in our community are aware, there was an incident involving the Ypsilanti Police Department yesterday that has understandably raised concern and questions. The matter is currently being reviewed, and I want residents to know that transparency, accountability, and community trust remain important throughout this process. I know situations like this can create frustration, emotion, and uncertainty. I encourage everyone to allow the review process to move forward while we continue to seek facts and clarity. We will share updates as appropriate and remain committed to ensuring our community’s concerns are heard and taken seriously.” — Mayor Nicole A. Brown The incident was caught on camera. On Thursday May 21 in the parking lot behind the YDL-Michigan and Bridge Cafe, a woman (whose name is omitted for privacy) was arrested for carrying drug paraphernalia. A video was released on social media showing two officers wrestling the woman to the ground and struggling to put handcuffs on her. There was a plainclothes officer in the video, two arresting officers and two members of the Sheriff’s department. In spite of the existence of the Sheriff Department’s Co-Response Unit and Mobile Crisis team, there was no Community Mental Health or mental health professional presence of any kind. The video showed that the woman, petite and in her early 30s, had a cast on her arm that appeared to be bleeding as two large policemen were forcing her arms behind her back while she was lying face down in the dirt. Both policemen appeared to be twice her size. She can be heard pleading facility or syringe service program is not to be considered paraphernalia. It says that — as clear as day.” Williams added, “They could have JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 allowed me to take the person to the LEAF facility so that she could have a safe place to recover and be away from Bridge Cafe, since that was obviously the point. However, to me, the only person who could have made that call is the owner of Bridge Cafe.” In fact, it is unknown whether or not with the police saying her arm was bleeding and her chest hurt. The police refused to acknowledge her wounds or the fact that they were potentially committing an illegal arrest. The person who took the video, Corn Williams, director of LEAF harm reduction program in Ypsilanti, was heard informing the policemen that they were (potentially) committing an illegal arrest. (Editor’s Note: harm reduction refers to public health programs that strive to improve well-being for people with substance use disorders, meeting them where they are.) Williams described what happened that led him to recording the video: “Officer Edwards made a beeline to the back of Bridge Community Cafe. This [meant it] was in the parking lot of the library. I went out to see what was going on, and they already had one person in handcuffs. There was another officer attempting to detain [the woman], and Edwards immediately jumped in and assisted in physically restraining her. “I asked them both what she was being detained for, and they said possession of paraphernalia. I immediately informed them that the city council had recently passed an ordinance amendment to align with state law; MCL 333.7451 states that anything distributed from a harm reduction the police observed the harm reduction device or if they were called. Community members Sheri Wander and Pastor Anna Taylor-McCants of Fed Up Ministries went to the police station to file a complaint. They were told there was no police officer available to take their statement but the police chief would call them back. When the chief finally did, he said there was no reason for him to believe a complaint against the arresting officer was legitimate. The arrest was discussed at the June 2 Ypsilanti city council meeting. Several community members spoke and were appalled by the incident and concerned that the city is allowing police violence to escalate. Leah Mills Chapman, Ypsilanti Township resident and downtown Ypsi business owner, had this to say: “I am standing before you today, yet again, to address the violence against Black women that appears to be escalating in the City of Ypsilanti. “The first time I raised this issue was after the incident at the Beer Cooler. I am raising it again because of the incident that occurred on the 21st, approximately two weeks ago. My concern is simple: Am I safe as a Black woman who lives, works, and invests in this community? Are Black women safe in Ypsilanti at all? “Does owning a business change how a person is treated compared to someone who does not? That question is deeply concerning to me. JUNE 12, 2026 Was Ypsi Police Department use of force excessive? “When I watched the video and saw the level of force used by officers from the Ypsilanti Police Department against a woman, it struck me as excessive and entirely disproportionate. The following day, the City of Ypsilanti released a statement. The chief's name was not attached to it. That is concerning because these officers report to the chief, yet there was no direct acknowledgment from police leadership regarding what had occurred. There was also no indication of what actions, if any, had been taken regarding the officers involved. Were they placed on administrative leave pending an investigation? Are they still on patrol? “Do I have to worry about my safety, and the safety of other Black women in this community? “I am asking for a meaningful investigation. I understand that the police chief reports to the city manager, and I am asking city leadership to examine what is happening within this police department. What I saw that day — a woman being tripped, pinned with a knee to her back, and forced face-first into the dirt — was absolutely unacceptable.” Andrew Hellenga, the Ypsilanti city manager, said he thought the force used during the arrest was excessive. City council member Amber Fellows commented that the staff have been weak on police accountability to the public and that the council will have to take action. Following are the questions that remain in the absence of a response from the Ypsilanti Police Department. (I called the police department and asked for Officer Edwards and he was unavailable. The Police Chief never called me back.) What was the officers' stated reason for the arrest? Was she charged? Does YPD believe the paraphernalia exemption applied? Is there an internal review? Has any officer been reassigned or placed on leave? We plan to follow-up in future editions.

JUNE 12, 2026 SUMMER FUN gardens are known for photo shoots. When we arrived it was packed with around 50 people lounging around on the hill and walking with dogs and babies in buggies. There were families and young people doing glamour shots for uploading online fun, and amateur and professional photographers taking photos of the blooming peonies. The gardens are so wonderful with CINDY GERE Groundcover vendor No. 279 Spring has sprung and the wonderful floral colors have bloomed more vibrantly this year after the pro-Palestinian political protest of last year which resulted in their being cut down. My friend and I took a short trip to the University of Michigan Botanical Gardens, located in the Nichols Arboretum. The brides on Sunday mornings love having their photos taken at the wonderful peony gardens, all in their beautiful dresses with the bridesmaids. The many varieties of peonies. What I find so amazing is the mixed colors — white and red, yellow and deep red. The sun was shining in the evening and the colors were visually powerful. It felt like I had stepped into a living garden and the shining fairies were going to dance among the flowers right before our eyes. Dogs are permitted but must all be well-behaved and on short leashes due to the crowd. This event only lasts around three weeks, from the middle of May to the middle of June. A visit to the peony gardens is one small event that feels more like a mini vacation in Ann Arbor. A location where you can take photographs, draw or paint and stroll after church or take the family for fun. This garden is also a place to maybe see a fairy or two sitting community EVENTS 32ND ANNUAL JUNETEENTH: NAACP A2 BRANCH Saturday, June 13, 12-6 p.m. Wheeler Park, N. Fourth Ave at Depot. Gathering at Wheeler Park to honor the June 19, 1865 announcement of the emancipation from slavery in Texas and other locations in the southwestern U.S. The park is named in honor of Ann Arbor's first and only Black Mayor, Albert Wheeler. Kids' activities and games, food, vendors, crafts and other items for sale. Preceded at 10 a.m. by a unity march to Wheeler Park. Gather at 9:30 a.m. in Fuller Park, 1519 Fuller. YPSI ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION June 19-21, University Bank Commerce Center parking lot. 301 W Michigan Ave. Ypsilanti. Friday, June 19, 5:30 p.m. Ypsilanti’s first-ever Juneteenth parade led by Mayor Nicole Brown, Washtenaw County Commissioner Crystal Lyte, and community organizer Trische Duckworth. Followed by entertainment by DJ BUff1 and R&B by Detroit soul singer Alise King. Food and drink concessions. Bring your own chair. Saturday, June 20, 12 p.m. Live musical performances (times TBA) by local rappers Prince Marc Jakob and Kid Jay, and Ypsilanti soul singers Nikki Gio and Lakesia Charese, followed by headliners gospel-flavored blues band Lady Sunshine and the X Band and Detroit Gospel singer Marcus Cole. Sunday, June 21, 1 p.m. fellowship service featuring speaker Tyra Hill of Tyra Hill Ministries, followed by a gospel concert (3 p.m.) featuring David Whitfield & DWP, Detroit gospel singer Bam Travis, the gospel ensemble Joy Quarter, and more. Music spun throughout the day by DJ Helluva. ARGUS SUMMER ARTISAN MARKET Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Argus Farm Stop - Packard, 1200 Packard St. Ann Arbor Show and sale of handmade goods by 20 local artisans. JAYCEES SUMMER CARNIVAL Thursday-Sunday, June 25-28. Thurs and Friday opens at 4 p.m. Sat. and Sun. at 12 p.m. Pioneer High School, 601 W Stadium Blvd. Four days of rides, games, food and family fun. There is a $10 minimum purchase required to enter. Unlimited ride wristbands sell for $35 (cash). Ride tickets cost $1.50 each. You can purchase a sheet of 50 ride tickets for $60 (cash). Most rides require 3-6 tickets with a few exceptions for premium rides. Height restrictions apply. GROWING HOPE COMMUNITY POTLUCK Friday, June 26, 5-7 p.m. Growing Hope, 922 W. Michigan Ave. Ypsi. Join us at Growing Hope Urban Farm for our second potluck of the season — a joyful gathering where community comes together to share a meal, celebrate the land that feeds us, and share a vision for food justice in Ypsilanti. Bring a dish to share! Please note this is not at the downtown Farmers Marketplace location. ANN ARBOR BIKE PARTY Friday, June 26, 7 p.m. Meet at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, 315 Detroit Street. All are invited to ride along on this slow, 8-10 mile bike ride through Ann Arbor, suitable for all ages and abilities. Safety and silliness are the priorities. BIG PLAY DAY Friday, June 27, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Nichols Arboretum, 1610 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor. A family-friendly event offering dynamic outdoor play opportunities, open-ended nature explorations, and guided activities suitable for all ages. If the event is canceled due to weather, an update will be posted to mbgna.umich.edu/big-play-day. Submit an event to be featured in the next edition: submissions@ groundcovernews.com Some peonies have a nice scent but Groundcover hasn't quite figured out how to publish scratch and sniff photos! on a stem of the branches — you never know. As always, you will feel love in the air with the fragrance of the blissful peonies. The U-M botanical gardens have activities for kids all summer long which can be found on their web site, m b g n a .umic h .e du/ nichols-arboretum GROUNDCOVER NEWS Take a stroll through peony gardens while they last! 9

10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS VENDOR VOICES Facing reality KEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 ego fixations are ever in our face as we search for the inner child who was buried during the socialization process. Just to follow your breath to its source is a daily challenge which requires constant effort. Indigenous-centered culture, as We do our best every day to see reality as it is and do something good. Most human beings look at their lives with some of this motivation. Our ancestors and spiritual friends have helpful advice for this path which is best called the path of awakening. I came into the office today singing “Blue Skies Smiling at Me.” Groundcover coffee is a treat as I wake up a bit more. When we become aware of our ignorance it may look too pervasive to overcome. If we take even the smallest steps towards freedom and exert some discipline to stay on the path, the results can add up as we free our mind bit by bit. My patience is tested every day. I think of my Father the Rev. James K. Parks, who often said, “Lord, give me patience and give it to me now.” Our exemplified by Beatrice Menase Kwe Jackson, is known for “Offerings Down, Prayers Up.” Those who showed up for The Golden Rule sailboat when it was in Detroit (August of 2023) got a chance to meet her. The sailboat is a Veterans for Peace project to end nuclear weapons and live for peace. Beatrice Menase Kwe Jackson came from the U.P. to do a Water Ceremony on the Detroit River. I’m writing this on Memorial Day, which, in my mind, is for all the victims of war, especially children. Compliance culture feeds the war machine every day. As we connect with each other and build a community that cares, we will find new habits that are life-friendly. Keep your eyes open for Revolutionary Food Gatherings and other creative events in the Groundcover Community Calendar. The Karuna Buddhist Center in the Upper Room of Bethlehem United Church of Christ is a good place to learn your natural mind and its compassionate wisdom source. Appearances may distract you as the playfulness of the mind takes over in the struggle to focus the mind on the object of meditation, beginning with the breath. It’s good to remember a commentary in the Diamond and Heart Sutras, “Peace of mind does not come from absence of struggle, it comes from absence of confusion and uncertainty.” The struggle is good. In Cuba you will regularly hear “La lucha sigue” — “The struggle continues.” It’s hard to believe the number of criminal terrorists who get a big welcome in Florida, protected by the CIA and the network of Miami operatives who count the votes in Florida and are praised by President Trump and all presidential candidates. A Cuban airline was bombed on October 6, 1976. Much information has now been declassified and can be found in the National Archives. The perpetrators are known and given sanctuary in Florida. October 6 is a day of remembrance in the Caricom member states. The truth often survives the propaganda and coverups that define imperialist information control. I was raised on the ethic “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.” I once did a long meditation on the beach at the Bay of Pigs. I was given a ride to this historic site on a Cuban trade union excursion. Brigade 2506 was the group of Cuban exiles who landed on the beach at the Bay of Pigs in 1961. John F. Kennedy was called a traitor for the failure of the Bay of Pigs and some say that that was the beginning of what led to his assassination. JUNE 12, 2026 Life gets interesting as you engage reality. I have found the deepest reality with the help of Tibetan meditation masters (in the tradition of Karuna, above). Because Tibet is part of China, CIA operatives exploit any problems to promote an anti-China perspective. A professor from the University of Mexico in Mexico City warned me about the Tibetan CIA connection. I replied about complexity and the importance of learning from people you have differences with. The all good expanse of primordial purity (a recurring theme in many of my articles) is the most profound reality. Be at ease with that and live with that as your guide. All differences can be resolved dialectically to a higher synthesis. Buddhist and Marxist dialectics have a lot in common in the higher stages. The Dalai Lama commented on that in regard to the pressure he faced when a Tibetan Communist Party was formed in the exile community. Their view was that socialism is an advance over capitalism but in Tibet it should be Tibetan socialism not Chinese socialism. The Dalai Lama once said he was a Marxist but not a Maoist. As theory and practice evolve to a higher synthesis we will use appearances to point out reality more completely. Everything is a clue to the great mystery! LGBTQ RESOURCE CORNER JIM TOY COMMUNITY CENTER 560 S. Main St, Ann Arbor. 734-995-9867 www.jimtoycenter.org Information, education, social events and advocacy by and for the Queer and Ally community in the Washtenaw County area. Check website for groups, meetings and events EMU LGBT RESOURCE CENTER 354 EMU Student Center, Ypsilanti. 734-487-4149 lgbtrc@emich.edu Increase students’ sense of belonging and contribute to a culture of equity through programming, advocacy and education. U-M SPECTRUM CENTER 3200 Michigan Union, 530 South State Street, Ann Arbor. 734-763-4186 spectrumcenter@umich.edu University of Michigan's gender and sexuality resource center working to enhance campus experiences, increase belonging and help students thrive. CORNER HEALTH CENTER 47 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti. 734-484-3600 Primary, specialty, mental health care and support services. The Corner is committed to providing gender affirming care to young people. OZONE HOUSE PRIDEZONE Located at Ozone House Drop-In Center in downtown Ypsilanti at 102 N Hamilton St. For ages 12-17, PrideZone meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For ages 18-24, PrideZone meets the 2nd and the 4th Thursdays of the month, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Stay connected to PrideZone’s events by joining our "Remind thread." Text @pridezone to 81010 and you will be automatically added! HIV/AIDS RESOURCE CENTER 3075 Clark Road, Suite 203, Ypsilanti (800) 578 2300, info@hivaidsresource.org - HOTLINES FOR HELP If you are in crisis or in need of immediate help, please text or call one of these national numbers: The Trevor Project: Call 1-866-488-7386 or Text 678678. Trans Lifeline: Call 1-877-565-8860 988 Lifeline: Text or Call 988 Two deer were prancing deep within the woods Prance prance prance Go the two deer in love Prance prance prance Go the two deers madly in love The two deer were prancing along And BOOM! goes the shot Down goes a deer Only one deer prancing alone forever Two Deer Madly in Love JOSEPH SCHREIBER Groundcover vendor No. 705 Two deer were prancing deep within the woods Singing their happy deer songs And prancing their happy deer prance Two deer were prancing deep within the woods The two deer were madly in deer love As they pranced about the forest the two deer were planning their marriage Prance prance prance Deep within the forest

JUNE 12, 2026 VENDOR VOICES WILL SHAKESPEARE Groundcover vendor No. 258 “All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my Angel mother." — President Lincoln’s tribute to his mom, Nancy Hanks Lincoln (1784-1818) The above quote is Lincoln’s tribute to his mom, when he was a small-town attorney in Springfield, Illinois. During Mother’s Day celebrations in America, many people choose to buy Hallmark greeting cards which express Abraham Lincoln’s sentiment and gratitude for his mother. To some online perspectives, Mother’s Day “originated as a movement for peace, public health and community healing, rather than the modern commercial holiday.” Online demographic journal Quizlet noted that the approximate number of soldiers who died on the Union and Confederate sides were 620,000 to 750,000 — in a population of 36 million (including approximately 4 million slaves). It was estimated that 360,000 Union soldiers died, and 260,000 Confederate soldiers died. Lincoln’s famous two-minute speech (275 words) delivered in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on November 19, 1863, was powerful and brief. The purpose of the Gettysburg address was to help dedicate a national cemetery for soldiers who died at the battle of Gettysburg, and to honor their sacrifices and acknowledge their participation in a struggle to “preserve a nation founded on liberty and equality.” But why are we talking about Lincoln’s Civil War Speech as part of the origin story and cultural literacy about Mother’s Day? Intersection of Civil War tragedies and Mother’s Day The Gettysburg address started by making reference to the Declaration of Independence. Lincoln unequivocally said that the American nation was “conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” He called for a new birth of freedom in order to ensure that “the government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” As the nation celebrates its 250-year anniversary on July 4, 2026, Lincoln’s famous speech in Gettysburg reminds us that in order to preserve our Democracy for the next 250 years, we must be eternally vigilant to ensure that the nation lives up to the ideals of the founding fathers. On Veteran’s Day which takes place on November 11 every year, the nation mourns and honors those who died in military service. Memorial Day, which takes place every year on the last Monday in the month of May, used to be called “Decoration Day.” Why? It is a time to remember, mourn and honor fallen soldiers and pray for permanent peace while decorating their graves with flowers and posters. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, “In the waning years of the Civil War (1861-1865) and immediately afterwards, communities in the North and South, Black and White, decorated soldiers’ graves with floral honors on Springtime ‘Decoration Days.’ The practice of strewing flowers on graves has been documented from classical Roman times to Western Europe in the nineteenth century.” Mothers of fallen soldiers and their relatives were distraught and traumatized by the Civil War. They never wanted the nation to go through such a bloody and painful episode. It is no accident that Mother’s Day observance was proposed as a peace and public health movement. Women of America did not want future wars, and they wanted to be fully engaged in any wars which cost staggering numbers of American lives. Mother’s Day movement from 1870 to present day Women's rights activist, poet and abolitionist Julia Ward Howe issued a powerful declaration in Boston, circa 1870. It was called “The Mother’s Day Proclamation.” It called for mothers to say “NO” and refuse to allow their sons to be killed and mained as casualties of war. She proposed that women of America and other countries “assemble in councils to advocate for the amicable settlement of international questions.” Howe’s proclamation is reminiscent of the 1848 Suffragette “Declaration of Sentiments” in Seneca Falls, New York, which made demands somewhat similar to the July 4, 1776 Declaration achieve equality, freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To fully understand why Ms. Howe wanted to associate Mother’s Day with permanent international peace, one has to understand some of her women’s right roles during and after the Civil War. According to the online magazine peacealliance.org/history, Ms. Howe nursed and tended the wounded during the civil war. She realized that the effects of the war go far beyond the killing of soldiers in battle. What she witnessed during the civil war inspired her to call out for women to “rise up through the ashes and devastation …” A prominent name in the creation of “Mother’s Day” was Mrs. Ann Reeves Jarvis. Her involvement in this of Independence to GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11 Civics and peace movement origins of Mother's Day Clockwise starting top left: Julia Ward Howe, Mary Towles Sasseen, Ann Reeves Jarvis and Anna Jarvis. creation lasted from the 1850s until the early 20th century. Online magazine Old Farmers Almanac noted that Mrs. Jarvis was a peace activist “who organized Mothers’ Day Work Clubs in West Virginia to combat unsanitary living conditions …” She was also very “concerned about high infant mortality rates, especially pervasive in Appalachia, and wanted to educate and help mothers who needed it the most.” This is why some historians say that the Mother's Day movement was highly connected to the issues of maternal public health and environmental quality. Ann Reeves Jarvis was given the credit for being “a champion of peace, reconciliation and public health.” Furthermore, Jarvis created Mothers Work Clubs in West Virginia “to combat diseases and improve infant mortality.” Some historians noted that during the civil war, she organized “Mothers’ Friendship Day” to promote peace and unite divided communities. Another noteworth name is Mary Towles Sasseen. She was a teacher in Henderson, Kentucky. Historians said that she “led her class in what is the first known observance of Mother's Day, focusing just on honoring mothers.” She got her pamphlet published in the late 19th century which revealed her vision for Mother’s Day. How did she do that? The magazine Old Farmers Almanac noted Mary Sasseen traveled across the state to educational gatherings in order to promote the observance of a national holiday primarily in public schools, with a suggested date of April 20th, her mother’s birthday. It was noted that schools in several states, such as Kentucky and Ohio, adopted Sasseen’s idea. She passed on in 1906 before her dream of a Mother's Day national holiday was realized. It was noted that the “the Kentucky legislature passed a resolution acclaiming Mary as the originator of the idea of celebration of Mother’s Day.” Anna Jarvis was the daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis. Old Farmers Almanac shared that after Mrs. Ann Reeves Jarvis died in 1905, her daughter carried the mantle of leadership from Philadelphia. She started to campaign for a national day to honor all mothers. Anna Jarvis said, “I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will find a memorial on mother's day, commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life … She is entitled to it.” Mother’s Day is now held in the month of May. Why? Old Farmers Almanac noted that “In May of 1907, Anna memorialized her mother’s lifelong activism with a memorial service held at the Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, where Anna’s mother had taught. The following year, on May 10, a Mother’s Day service was held at the same church to acknowledge all mothers. Thus was born the idea that the second Sunday in May be set aside to honor every mother, whether living or deceased.” In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill which designated the second Sunday in May as a legal holiday which will be called “Mother’s Day.” President Wilson also noted that it would be a day dedicated “to the best mother in the world, your mother.”

12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS LIVING ARCHIVE JUNE 12, 2026 Camp Take Notice given notice CAROLYN LUSCH Groundcover contributor The weeks leading up to June 22 were a busy time for the residents of Camp Take Notice and for the members of MISSION, the nonprofit organization that supports CTN. Having learned on May 29 that CTN residents would be evicted from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) land on which the camp had existed for two years, both campers and organizers began preparing for their response and their individual futures. One of the camp’s founders, Caleb Poirier, compared their situation to a bus going up a hill that had run out of gas. “We can effect a change if we’re in pushing mode,” he said. He was one of many to encourage the group at the all-camp meeting on Sunday, June 17. Although the campers met every week to discuss and vote on camp matters, this last meeting before eviction day was especially tense. It was also unusually well-attended, with not only campers but also members of the media and representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) looking on. Where to go Some campers, like Jackie, who has lived in CTN for a year, were prepared for acts of civil disobedience. “Lock me up, take me away,” she declared when asked about her plans for Friday. Most of the campers, however, were preoccupied with the search for housing or new camping sites. On May 29, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and Michigan Campaign To End Homelessness announced that they would work in partnership with state and local authorities to provide housing to the residents of Camp Take Notice. Funds were made available for 40 year-long housing subsidies, a figure based on the number of campers staying at CTN when the eviction notice was issued. However, the previous week boasted a CTN population of 68, and as of this story’s publication only 33 campers have been offered a housing subsidy — with others having been denied subsidies based on reasons such as veteran status, income and immigrant status. Those individuals offered subsidies have a temporary place to stay at the Delonis Center from June 21 until they find housing with the help of case workers. For campers without subsidies, the immediate future is uncertain. Some, like Sharon Bridgewater, plan on staying with family members. Others don’t have that option. “I really don’t know,” responded camper Herberto when questioned about his plans. “I don’t have any family in this country.” Herberto, a U.S. citizen and native of Puerto Rico, said that he was denied a housing subsidy because he found a part-time job three weeks before. “I still think it’s not fair. I’m willing to pay a percentage.” Some campers have begun searching for new sites to set up camp. A member of Webster United Church of Christ in Dexter volunteered to arrange rides for the relocating campers, some to clandestine locations. Campers traded leads and advice, weighing the risks of being found on private property by the police. One exclaimed, “If we get arrested, what do we do?” Why CTN? The uniqueness of the MDOT property that CTN has called its home since May 2010 is a large part of why CTN residents want to stay, according to Poirier. It is also close to a bus stop, which is critical for allowing campers to access resources and search for jobs, and is not directly adjacent to a residential neighborhood or a business district. The camp has been located at five other sites around the Ann Arbor area, but has always been evicted within a year or two. Because the current land is owned by MDOT, the Ann Arbor Police do not have authority; instead, the camp has been in dialogue with MDOT officials and the Michigan State Police. Those entering the camp step over a guardrail, walk down a mulched path into a wooded area, and after a short distance begin to see clusters of tents among the pine trees. The rumblings of the freeway recede, replaced by muted conversations and bird songs. David, one of the campers, said that he appreciated how beautiful and removed the spot was, and would sometimes sit and meditate. Many of the other campers expressed attachment to the current campsite. “I would rather stay here than get housing,” stated one camper. Another camper, Dule, agreed. “I wish they wouldn’t close this place,” he said, looking around the camp while giving a tour to visitors. “Isn’t it nice out here?” For many, community support was a fundamental element of Camp Take Notice that would not be easily recreated elsewhere. David described CTN as a place where people “can come and feel safe, get their life back together.” Sharon expressed similar feelings. “I feel really safe down here,” she said. The governing structure of the camp by was cited the Rev. Curt DeMars-Johnson of Webster United Church of Christ as a reason he became involved. He saw the camp’s weekly meetings, in which campers make decisions through a one-person, onevote system, as “manifesting the best practice of democracy.” Being noticed Camp Take Notice started living up to its name in October 2011, when filmmaker Tavis Smiley and Princeton professor Cornel West filmed footage of Camp Take Notice as part of their five-part PBS special, “The Poverty Tour: A Call to Conscience.” Members of MISSION and other camp supporters believe that this publicity may be why MDOT, which until then had been tolerant of the camp’s presence so long as they were actively seeking other locations, began making inquiries into the growing size of the camp. In response to one of these inquiries, MISSION’s board, with camper input, wrote a letter stating the camp’s intent to remain at that site permanently. Some MISSION members believe that it was this letter that prompted MDOT officials to begin making plans to evict the camp. A formal eviction notice was served on May 29, stating Originally published in the July 2012 edition of Groundcover that it would be illegal to be on the property after 12 a.m. on Friday, June 22. A representative of MSHDA, which responded to inquiries made to the MDOT office, said that “safety issues” and concerns of “surrounding neighbors” played a part in the eviction decision. A press release by MSHDA also cites public safety and health concerns as reasons for the eviction. Representatives of the ACLU declined to comment at the all-camp meeting, saying that they were still discussing options. However, during the meeting one representative explained that their case for reversing the eviction decision, if a case were to be made, would rest on those people who were involuntarily homeless and did not have a place to go after the eviction — thus making potential arrests tantamount to criminalization of status. However, the ACLU was struggling to find suitable candidates for plaintiffs. Community responses In the last few weeks before the eviction, sections of the community came out in force to express their support for CTN and the campers, and to demand that attention be paid to the issue of homelessness. On June 14, members of at least 30 faith-based organizations came together at St. Mary’s Student Parish in downtown Ann Arbor for an interfaith prayer vigil. see TAKE NOTICE next page 

JUNE 12, 2026 LIVING ARCHIVE  TAKE NOTICE from last page One of those presiding was Rev. Ian Cross of Holy Faith Church in Saline, who later declared his intention to be arrested on the eviction day, “because I think that homelessness is being criminalized and swept under the rug. It needs to be visible, seen, dealt with.” Other community members at the event expressed support for CTN’s presence. “We would all want this camp to be closed — the right way,” said Daniel Fernandes, an employee at GM and part-time student at University of Michigan. He had joined other attendees of the prayer vigil in procession from the church to Liberty Plaza. Looking around at the assembly, he observed that community support had grown considerably over the past year. Some individuals and organizations see this as an opportunity to find better long-term solutions to homelessness in Washtenaw County. Chuck Warpehoski, director of the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice and 2012 Ann Arbor City Council hopeful, would like the attention focused on CTN to be shifted to “the deeper problem of the lack of adequate, affordable, and supportive housing.” The Washtenaw Housing Alliance (WHA), made up of several organizations in the county who share the goal of ending homelessness in the region, has been working with MSHDA and state agencies to provide housing to the evicted campers. In a statement made in response to the CTN situation, WHA executive director Julie Steiner said, “We work together to ensure that residents at CTN have access to physical and mental health services, substance abuse treatment, employment support, shelter and, ultimately, housing.” Beyond eviction day Demonstrations in support of CTN’s plight continued in the camp’s final days, with significant attendance and media coverage. Though the eviction was scheduled for June 22, the date was extended thanks to conversations between MISSION and Mark Sweeney, regional manager for MDOT. The camp was given the weekend to finish moving campers to new sites and to hold a community cleanup effort, which would include volunteers from churches. Brian Durrance of MISSION expressed gratitude to Sweeney and MDOT for this extension and for allowing them to stay on the land for two years. He also spoke of the way in which CTN had educated people on the depth of the problem of homelessness in the area. “Lawmakers were unaware that there was such a need,” said Durrance. Moving forward, MISSION members still have been hoping to influence Governor Rick Snyder, the only elected official with the power to reverse MDOT’s decision, and are continuing discussions with all levels of government. Also, according to Durrance, MISSION has been in contact with local churches and lawyers, looking at the possibility of improving the current site or purchasing new land for a permanent Camp Take Notice. Perhaps most significantly, supporters of CTN saw the public outpouring of support and the willingness of decision makers to discuss options as a victory for the plight of the homeless. As Peggy Lynch, a MISSION member and CTN supporter who walked into the prayer vigil event and saw the large crowd gathered, declared: “We have already won.” No matter what ultimately becomes of the site and MISSION’s vision, one thing is sure: this camp was noticed. GROUNDCOVER NEWS Advocacy alert! June 16 City Council resolution to remove Ypsilanti homeless encampment At the June 2, 2026 Ypsilanti City Council meeting, Ward 1 Council member Me'Chelle King moved to place a resolution on the June 16, 2026 agenda to remove a homeless encampment in the Bell-Kramer neighborhood on the south side of the city. Many housed residents of Ward 1 spoke at the June 2 meeting asking for the removal of the encampment, citing fears of escalation. This decision follows the May 14 Click On Detroit news segment regarding a stolen bike; read more in the May 29, 2026 edition of Groundcover News. On Tuesday, June 16, 7 p.m., advocates can give public comment for three minutes in person at Ypsilanti City Hall, 1 S. Huron Street, or attend/speak remotely via the Zoom link accessible at cityofypsilanti.com/321/Mayor-City-Council Unable to make it? Email your City Council representative ahead of time cityofypsilanti.com/323/ Elected-Officials 13

14 GROUNDCOVER NEWS PUZZLES Bugged Peter Collins JUNE 12, 2026 ACROSS 1. Family nickname 4. Sharp 9. Jobs' creation? 14. Acapulco gold 15. Revolutionary invention? 16. Progeny 17. "Delta of Venus" writer Anais 18. Big name in publishing 20. English king who was a son of William the Conqueror 22. Other, in Mexico 23. Slope of y = 10x + 2 24. "Frozen" snowman 25. Ones paying a flat fee? 28. Big Indonesian lizard 33. Marijuana ingredient, in short 36. iPod Mini successor 37. Take the honey and run? 38. Some deli orders 40. Guidance givers 42. Ann ___ 43. The prez, for short 44. WSJ competitor 45. Peter Pan, for instance 49. Here, not in the heavens 50. Somewhat 54. Reciprocal of cos, in trig class 57. Grasps 58. Like some beds 60. Legendary "gift" 63. Teachers' org. 64. Starting squad 65. Tribe for which a Great Lake is named 66. "The ___ Side" (cartoon) 67. Rap or rock 68. Twosomes 69. Word that can follow the last part of 18-, 28-, 45-, or 60-Across DOWN 1. "Tiny Bubbles" singer 2. "Little Mermaid" mermaid 3. Disco queen Summer 4. Off kilter 5. Title for Mao 6. Morn's opposite 7. ___ Beach, CA 8. Drunk as a skunk 9. Hatred 10. In support of 11. Put on a long face 12. Squander 13. "Paradise Lost" setting 19. '60s TV's talking horse 21. Bobby's monogram, in '60s politics 26. Geologic periods 27. Margarita rim coating 29. A solo homer could tie it 30. Lummox 31. Grand Ole ___ 32. Flying start? 33. Golf course hazard 34. "You are ___" 35. Havana home 39. One-named U2 frontman 40. He was beaten by Barack 41. Passionate 43. Brief 46. Many a fake ID user 47. Got into hot water? 48. Colorado State athlete 51. Canadian National Park 52. Perfect 53. Misty-eyed 54. Unaccompanied 55. Art Deco designer 56. Filmmaker Ethan or Joel 59. "The Untouchables" role 61. Tip container 62. Streamlet PUZZLE SOLUTIONS May 29, 2026 edition Originally published in the August 2019 edition of Groundcover

JUNE 12, 2026 POETRY Three Closed Doors PEDRO CAMPOS Groundcover vendor No. 652 In the deep rooms where my silence lives, there are three doors that creak when the wind blows. The first hides what I silenced too early: folded dreams, letters never written, cries I abandoned before they began. Its name is Repression, and it breathes slowly. The second is a forbidden shrine, a hidden flame under an ancient veil. There, every step is watched by invisible eyes, and every shadow carries the weight of commandment. This is the door of Taboo, where fear dresses itself as sacred. The third—ah, that one deceives: it has mirrors inside. I open it and see faces that aren’t mine, borrowed guilt, wounds I hand to others. Inside lives Projection, making me battle enemies I invented. But one day, tired of carrying shadows, I touched all three handles with the same question: — Who am I when I no longer hide? And the doors, one by one, opened. Light spilled from the depths of the house, and I understood that growing up isn’t slaying monsters— it’s recognizing that every one of them was bearing my name. 7 Heavenly Attributes EMERI JADE BEY Groundcover vendor No. 660 In heaven’s garden, bright and wide, Seven virtues walk beside The weary hearts of humankind, Leaving trails of light behind. **Humility** wears simple clothes, And speaks in whispers soft and low. It does not boast, it does not claim, Yet kings bow gently to its name. **Kindness** carries golden rain To cool the fires of grief and pain. A tender word, a hand held near, Can quiet sorrow, calm all fear. With open palms walks **Charity**, A flowing river to the sea. It gives its bread, it shares its flame, And loves the lost without a name. **Patience** sits beneath old trees, Listening to the restless breeze. It teaches hearts to trust the dawn Even when the night feels long. **Chastity**, with crystal light, Guards the soul through darkest night. Pure not only flesh, but mind, Keeping truth and love aligned. Then steady **Temperance** appears, Balancing joy and human fears. Neither too little nor too much, But wisdom in a careful touch. And strong **Diligence** climbs each hill, With faithful heart and iron will. Through every labor, small or grand, It builds tomorrow hand in hand. These virtues are the stars above, The shape of heaven, the face of love. And every soul that walks their way Turns earth itself to brighter day. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 15 No Soft Entry DAVID CRANE Groundcover contributor I wear it on my sleeve but guard it like a wolf. No social corners, just roundabouts. People orbit, misreading motion for weakness. Some call it arrogance. I call it survival. Being unapologetically myself is the only rebellion I’ve mastered. Try to touch me and you’ll meet your own reflection. No Witness DAVID CRANE Groundcover contributor I don’t chase peace — I build days that don’t fall apart. Discipline doesn’t speak — it removes what doesn’t last. You don’t need to prove it. Not everyone rebuilding is building. Some just rearrange damage and call it change. Don’t wait for motivation. Remember the cost of not moving. The real flex isn’t winning — it’s showing up with no one watching. Imperfect weather KIMANI HAMILTON Groundcover vendor No. 518 Even water ain’t clean Even water gets pissed on Even water has fecal matter In it even water is Impure due to mud even, Water has blood in it Even water gets hit With lightning. Something so pure Has such a journey Before it is purified Simply water. #Chloride

16 GROUNDCOVER NEWS FOOD Chicken rice salad DENISE SHEARER Groundcover vendor No. 485 Directions: First, you boil whatever chicken parts I think chicken rice salad is a very tasty comfort food. Especially my recipe. It is a way to have plenty of food to eat and share. I’m going to share how to make it. Ingredients: Chicken Rice (instant or regular) Diced vegetables, your choice (I prefer cucumbers, canned mushrooms, green bell peppers and onions) Dressing, your choice (I recommend Thousand Island Dressing) Salt and pepper you have. Boil the chicken until it is done. When the chicken is done, take it out and put it in another metal container. With the chicken broth that is left over from the boil, either cook instant rice or regular rice, it doesn't matter. Let the chicken and rice cool, then cut up whatever vegetables you want to add. I prefer cucumbers, mushrooms from the can, green bell peppers, or colored bell peppers and onions. Then, when the chicken is cool, tear it into little pieces, add the vegetables, whatever type of dressing you like, and mix it together. Put in salt and pepper to taste. You'll have a delicious salad. JUNE 12, 2026 PHONE (734) 994 - 9174 • PEOPLESFOOD.COOP NATURAL FOODS MARKET & DELI 216 N. FOURTH AVENUE ANN ARBOR, MI MAKE MEALS YOU LOVE! Fresh ingredients to $5 OFF ANY PURCHASE OF $30 OR MORE One coupon per transaction. Must present coupon at the time of purchase. Coupon good for in-store only. No other discounts or coop cards apply. Not valid for gift cards, case purchases, beer or wine. 07/09/2026 OFFER EXPIRES 5/30/2026

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