Detroit City Council Votes in Favor Of African Town Compromise

Proposal Will Open Funding To All Minorities
A proposed compromise to the African Town development was approved by Detroit's City Council on Monday, according to Local 4 reports. The council voted 5-4 in favor of a plan that would open city spending to all minorities. The compromise plan was developed by Councilmembers Kenneth Cockrel Jr. and Alberta Tinsley-Talabi, who responded to criticisms of an earlier proposal that would have made blacks the only segment of Detroit's population eligible for funding from the Detroit Capital Development Corporation. A group of Hispanic, Asian, Arab and black business leaders formed a coalition to prevent the creation of an African Town. "The City Council regrets that the actions may have been interpreted by some as racist," Cockrell and Tinsley-Talabi wrote in their proposal for a compromise. Before voting on Monday, the council heard from some citizens who supported the idea, but were divided about the council's approach to the development. "It's impossible. We're already integrated. You cannot segregate us. We are here together as a people to fight," said Eusebia Aquin-Hughes, of the Hispanic Civil Rights Council. [more ]