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August 7-13, 2013
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Page A-3
Prime Politics
Rev. Wendell Anthony (second from right) with an array of community leaders and Vuyiswa Tulelo (holding flowers), consul general of South Africa. – Andre Smith photos
Nelson Mandela
Detroit celebrates Nelson Mandela’s birthday Mandela has meant to the people of South Africa, and what he has meant to everyone who seeks freedom, justice and human rights.” As the program drew to a close, Rev. Anthony spoke.
“I have fought against White domination, and I have fought against Black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an idea which I hope to live for and to achieve. But, if need be, it is an idea for which I am prepared to die.”
“This is not the end-
— Nelson Mandela, April 24, 1964
By Donald James SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
He is the world’s most revered champion of freedom. Certainly one of the most beloved freedom fighters of all time. His name is synonymous with truth and the pursuit of liberty, even in the face of severe adversity. He is Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa, who rose to power after spending 27 years in prison because of his relentless activism to liberate the oppressed people of his country from apartheid, a system of racial segregation that existed from 1948 to 1994. On July 18, 2013, Mandela reached age 95, and the world didn’t forget to salute the human rights icon. For example, on July 24, more than 300 people gathered in the Motor City to celebrate Detroit Nelson Mandela Day. The festive event, organized by the Detroit Branch NAACP, was held at Fellowship Chapel on Detroit’s west side, where the Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony serves as senior pastor. He is also president of the Detroit Branch NAACP. With many of the attendees dressed in African garb, the program began with a processional by Omawali Drum and Dance Troup, followed by
the pouring of libations, an African ceremonial tradition that pays homage to the ancestors. In addition, the “Prayer for Africa” was recited against the musical backdrop of the Fellowship Chapel Mass Choir, which also rendered a chilling rendition of “Syahamb’a (We are Marching in the Light of God).” The program also featured “The Mandela Impact,” two-minute reflections on the former South African president, by local clergy and community leaders. Speakers included Rev. Dr. Jim Holly, pastor of the Historic Little Rock Baptist Church; Rev. Ed Rowe, pastor, Central United Methodist Church; Rabbi Daniel B. Syme, Temple Beth El; and Bishop Nkege Abi, associate pastor of the Shrine of the Black Madonna. Other speakers were Rev. Kenneth J. Flowers, pastor, Greater New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church; Minister Victor Muhammad, state of Michigan Prison Ministry, Muhammad’s Mosque No. 1; Ron Scott, spokesperson from the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality; Juanita Moore, president and CEO, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History; and Roland Hwang, vice president, American Citizens For
Rev. Wendell Anthony (left), Detroit Branch NAACP president, Vuyiswa Tulelo, South Africa consul general, and Donnell White, Detroit Branch NAACP executive director. Justice. “Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years for standing and fighting against laws of injustice that he saw were clearly wrong,” said Abi. “He looked at the world as it was and fought for what it should become. He never let his people down.” Nelson Mandela Day was established in 2008, following Mandela’s 90th birthday celebration in London. It was decided that on all subsequent birthdays, people from around the world would honor the freedom fighter with a day dedicated to his life, work and legacy. The day would evoke a call to action, asking people to give 67 minutes of their time to a charitable and empowering cause in respective communities around the world. The 67 minutes represent Mandela’s 67 years as a prolific liberator who served his community, country and the world. Rev. Anthony, along with Melvin “Butch” Hollowell, general counsel for the Detroit Branch NAACP, outlined Detroit’s call to action, in terms of volunteering 67 minutes of service.
The call involved joining the Detroit Branch NAACP on August 3 in a citywide voter registration and education campaign, joining the local branch as it petitions the United States Department of Justice to seek justice for Trayvon Martin, and texting JUSTICE to 62227 in conjunction with the more than 1.5 million people who are seeking justice for the murdered youth. “Nelson Mandela is a warrior, one who was shackled and chained and imprisoned for 27 years,” Rev. Flowers told the audience. “He has given 67 years of his life to fight for freedom, justice and humanity, so what we must do is take 67 minutes to serve our community and to serve humanity. We must make every day a Nelson Mandela Day.” On hand to greet the Detroit Nelson Mandela Day audience was the Consul General of South Africa Vuyiswa Tulelo. “It is an honor to greet you and see and feel the energy that has propelled you forward throughout this program,” said Tulelo. “Thank you, Detroit, for coming out on this day to celebrate what Nelson
ing, it’s the beginning,” he said. “One of the things that will come out of this is as we move forward we want to bring people closer together. That’s why we are going to have a session dealing with building racial relationships. That’s coming up, so stay tuned.”
STATE OF MICHIGAN BEFORE THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION **** NOTICE OF HEARING FOR THE CUSTOMERS OF DTE GAS COMPANY CASE NO. U-17358 • DTE Gas Company, f/k/a Michigan Consolidated Gas Company requests Michigan Public Service Commission approval to implement its Energy Optimization Plan in compliance with Public Act 295 of 2008 and the March 15, 2013 Commission Order in Case No. U-17358. • The information below describes how a person may participate in this case. • You may call or write DTE Gas Company, One Energy Plaza, Detroit, Michigan 48226, (800) 477-4747, for a free copy of its application. Any person may review the application at the offices of DTE Gas Company. • A public hearing in this matter will be held:
DATE/TIME:
August 22, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. This hearing will be a prehearing conference to set future hearing dates and decide other procedural matters.
BEFORE:
Administrative Law Judge Theresa A. Sheets
LOCATION:
Constitution Hall 525 West Allegan Lansing, Michigan
PARTICIPATION:
Any interested person may attend and participate. The hearing site is accessible, including handicapped parking. Persons needing any accommodation to participate should contact the Commission’s Executive Secretary at (517) 241-6160 in advance to request mobility, visual, hearing or other assistance.
The Michigan Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold a public hearing to consider DTE Gas Company’s (DTE Gas) July 1, 2013 application for approval of the Company’s Biennial Review of its Energy Optimization Plan, in accordance with the Public Act 295 of 2008, and the March 15, 2013 Commission Order in Case No. U-17358. All documents filed in this case shall be submitted electronically through the Commission’s E-Dockets website at: michigan.gov/mpscedockets. Requirements and instructions for filing can be found in the User Manual on the E-Dockets help page. Documents may also be submitted, in Word or PDF format, as an attachment to an email sent to: mpscedockets@michigan.gov. If you require assistance prior to e-filing, contact Commission staff at (517) 241-6180 or by email at: mpscedockets@michigan.gov. Any person wishing to intervene and become a party to the case shall electronically file a petition to intervene with this Commission by August 15, 2013. (Interested persons may elect to file using the traditional paper format.) The proof of service shall indicate service upon DTE Gas’s Attorney, Richard P. Middleton, DTE Gas Company, One Energy Plaza, Detroit, Michigan 48226. Any person wishing to appear at the hearing to make a statement of position without becoming a party to the case may participate by filing an appearance. To file an appearance, the individual must attend the hearing and advise the presiding administrative law judge of his or her wish to make a statement of position. All information submitted to the Commission in this matter becomes public information: available on the Michigan Public Service Commission’s website, and subject to disclosure. Please do not include information you wish to remain private. Requests for adjournment must be made pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure R 460.17315 and R 460.17335. Requests for further information on adjournment should be directed to (517) 241-6060. A copy of DTE Gas’s request may be reviewed on the Commission’s website at: michigan.gov/mpscedockets, and at the office of DTE Gas Company, One Energy Plaza, Detroit, MI. For more information on how to participate in a case, you may contact the Commission at the above address or by telephone at (517) 241-6180. Jurisdiction is pursuant to 1909 PA 300, as amended, MCL 462.2 et seq.; 1919 PA 419, as amended, MCL 460.54 et seq.; 1939 PA 3, as amended, MCL 460.1 et seq.; 1969 PA 306, as amended, MCL 24.201 et seq.; 1982 PA 304, as amended, MCL 460.6h et seq.; 2008 PA 295, MCL 460.1001 et seq.; and the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, as amended, 1999 AC, R 460.17101 et seq. July 25, 2013
Showing Black pride at the Nelson Mandela birthday celebration.