Filed Date: Nov. 18, 2024
Case Ongoing
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This case concerned the right to protest for peace in a Detroit public park. On November 18, 2024, two individuals filed this lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. 1983 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against the City of Detroit, the Detroit 360 Conservancy, the Downtown Business Improvement Zone, and two security guards. Represented by the University of Michigan’s Civil Rights Litigation Initiative, the plaintiffs alleged that they were illegally restricted by the defendants from legally singing songs at Campus Martius, a public park in downtown Detroit. According to the complaint, the plaintiffs and approximately ten other individuals sang carols advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza and held signs calling for a ceasefire and an end to Islamophobia and antisemitism, when security guards told them that they had to stop because Campus Martius was private property and that the songs were controversial. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, compensatory and punitive damages, a writ of mandamus compelling the defendants to enforce Detroit’s free speech ordinances, as well as costs and attorneys’ fees.
The case was assigned to Judge Laurie Jill Michelson, and is ongoing. The defendants have obtained an extension on their response date.
Summary Authors
Oliver Farnum (2/7/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69384452/parties/redigan-v-detroit-city-of/
Michelson, Laurie Jill (Michigan)
Steinberg, Michael J. (Michigan)
Gaabo, Eric B. (Michigan)
Makoski, Mark James (Michigan)
Rhoades, John F. (Michigan)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69384452/redigan-v-detroit-city-of/
Last updated Aug. 4, 2025, 3:44 a.m.
State / Territory: Michigan
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Nov. 18, 2024
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The plaintiffs are members of the Ceasefire Choir, a faith-based musical collective that advocates for world peace through song.
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
City of Detroit (Detroit, Wayne), City
DETROIT 300 CONSERVANCY (Detroit, Wayne), Non-profit or advocacy
DOWNTOWN DETROIT PARTNERSHIP (Detroit, Wayne), Non-profit or advocacy
DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ZONE (Detroit, Wayne), Non-profit or advocacy
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Access to public accommodations - privately owned
Affected Religion(s):