OCTOBER 2, 2026 MAKING CHANGE International Day of Peace was da bomb TOMMY SPAGHETTI Groundcover vendor No. 669 On Sunday, September 20, 60-80 citizens gathered in Liberty Plaza for a rainy United Nations International Day Of Peace. The first speaker was mayor-elect Yousef Rabhi. He spoke about the necessity of constant struggle for peace. Stephan Trendov reminded everyone that “only champions show up to compete in rain and snow.” Erick Brown gave a lengthy diatribe on the subject of ethanol. “If everybody used ethanol in their vehicles we wouldn’t need world conglomerate oil corporations who steal oil from Venezuela and Iran.” Odile Hugonot Haber emphasized the transition from a war economy to a PEACE ECONOMY as tantamount to ending all wars. Me Again Medicine Show got everyone moving in a dance game song. A passerby volunteered to stop and sing a Mongolian song in her native tongue. Stephan Trendov told stories about a Bulgarian mouse after WWII who found a couch in an abandoned building that came with a steady supply of food, the point of which was, “If you have something good, don’t tell anybody.” Griff’s Jam Band performed a music set with Kahina & Dougie Wougie. Griff plays a rack harmonica now while singing and playing acoustic guitar. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, the WCC Jazz Orchestra led by Steve Somers performed a lengthy set, playing and singing classic jazz tunes. This extremely large ensemble had a horn section. Esteban Morales sang, played guitar and percussion (not at the same time), Colleen sang and Bob Bullet was on drums. The last featured musical act was Mary and the Huzz Band. Eric Fithian donated his P.A. and tents for the day's activities. Scott Alf brought pizza from NYPD Singing resistance MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 Fannie Lou Hamer helped to inspire singing resistance and emerged as one of the most influential grassroots leaders of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. She became nationally known for her leadership in voting rights and organization of the Mississippi Democratic Freedom Party, as well as her powerful testimony against racial violence and disenfranchisement. Singing Resistance originated in Mississippi during the Civil Rights Movement. Minneapolis grassroots organizations expanded Singing Resistance nationwide after the killings of U.S. citizens Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. They used communal songs to protest ICE and social injustice. The "Singing Resistance" is a grassroots, nonviolent nationwide movement that uses collective vocal protest and choral performance for social justice, community defense and anti-authoritarian dissent. In the Washtenaw County area, Singing Resistance Washtenaw, Singing Resistance Ann Arbor, and Singing Resistance Ypsilanti refer to local chapters of Singing Resistance. These singers perform in solidarity and protest with hymns and songs at regional rallies, civic demonstrations and local community spaces (including actions targeting detention centers and local data centers). Grounded in nonviolence, their main focus is to build community resilience against oppressive policies. Layla Ananda, a member of Singing Resistance Washtenaw, shared when, why and how she got involved in resistance singing. Ananda began resistance singing during the anti-Vietnam war protests in the early 70s and has been doing it ever since. Ananda explained that she felt the need to do something to resist the unjust state of affairs in this country during the 70s until this present moment, so she sings to express her feelings with others in solidarity for a better future. In March 2025, she started a monthly sing-along resistance group. And the very next winter in 2026, during the ICE “Operation Metro Surge” in Minneapolis, the local chapter, Singing Resistance Washtenaw, began to organize and sing at local rallies against injustice in and around Washtenaw County. They come together at different venues (local churches) once a month to learn and practice new songs mostly created and written by the Minneapolis chapter. “These singalongs help keep our spirits up and energize us to keep doing what we’re doing to make things better,” said Ananda. To learn more visit the Singing Resistance Linktree (linktr.ee/singingresistancewashtenaw) where you can also connect to their Facebook and Instagram. and it was nice to see so many peace activists together again as we traverse this ultra-violent rogue administration. Alan Haber provided tents, tables and chairs and wore a sign that demanded conversion from War to Peace. Alan spearheaded the annual event which has been going since 1958 when Alan co-founded SDS, Students for a Democratic Society. GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library Yousef Rabhi at Peace Day. 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. Washtenaw Library for the Blind & Print Disabled at AADL This free service loans books, magazines, & videos in alternative formats (audiobooks, large print, braille books & magazines, and descriptive video) to individuals who are unable to read or use standard printed materials. Visit aadl.org/wlbpd/apply to apply. Byte Club An exclusive club for AADL SUPER FANS and library people like you! Byte Club will help you connect deeper with the Library you know and love, and share special sneak peeks of new things coming soon. Ready to join? Visit aadl.org/ byteclub to get started. FEATURED EVENT 5 Halloween Costume Contest • Sunday, October 25 • Downtown Got a creative, cool, cute, or oneof-a-kind costume? Come dressed in your best to AADL’s annual costume contest! See the judges between 11:30 AM and 2 PM, then stick around for the award ceremony at 3 PM. Check out aadl.org/halloween for more!
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