False Charges: Detroit’s Desperate Attempt to Stop Human Rights

Detroit officials, in what many see as a calculated attempt to silence a growing human rights movement, have once again targeted Human Rights Policy Officer Ramzu Yunus — this time arresting him alongside fellow officer Angela Williams on destruction of property charges that appear to be riddled with contradictions.

The arrests come amid a years-long campaign by both Highland Park and Detroit authorities, reportedly under FBI guidance, to suppress Yunus’ efforts to organize Afrodescendant/Black and Indigenous residents of Detroit and Highland Park in exercising their internationally recognized right of self-determination — a right that, if asserted, would allow residents to take independent control of their cities and reclaim hundreds of thousands of vacant properties.

Arrest on Questionable Grounds

According to official reports, the Guardian Building at 500 Griswold was damaged by individuals in what witnesses described as a white SUV. In a separate incident, a window at the 36th District Court was allegedly shattered by perpetrators seen fleeing in a black vehicle.

Yet Yunus was apprehended in neither of those — but in a silver Nissan Sentra. Despite the discrepancy, both he and Williams were taken into custody. The charges follow a disturbing pattern: in 2021, Yunus was arrested without charge and held for roughly eight days, only to be released after deleting Facebook posts and YouTube videos discussing Detroit residents’ human rights.

The Threat of Empowerment

Yunus and the Human Rights Policy Officers have been working to educate residents on how, under self-determination, they could lawfully claim and be allocated homes for free — a move that could transform the city’s housing crisis. Such action, though legal under international law, is seen as a direct threat to entrenched political and economic interests.

Local officials, who stand accused of profiting from corrupt handling of public property, have a clear motive to quash the movement. The possibility of residents gaining political control through self-determination could upend current power structures and expose years of mismanagement.

A Campaign of Defamation and Suppression

For years, Detroit and Highland Park authorities have engaged in a public defamation campaign, branding Yunus’ movement as “a scam” and him personally as a “snake oil salesman” — language aimed at discouraging residents from participating in a legal, internationally protected process.

Critics argue this is not about public safety or property damage but about silencing a lawful movement before it gains irreversible momentum.

A Fight Far From Over

Yunus and Williams have called the charges frivolous and retaliatory, expressing confidence they will be dismissed in court. Meanwhile, supporters view the arrests as yet another desperate maneuver by the federal government and a city leadership fearful of losing its grip on power — and of a future where Detroit’s long-neglected communities take their fate into their own hands. Detroit and Highland Park residents that are interested in exercising their human rights and receiving free housing are asked to call the Human Rights Law Center at 888.999.6530 and visiting https://detroitgov.us to learn more and register.

2 comments
Daniel Gutridge Sr.

Salute Comrade Ramzu Comrade Angela. I think you and the rest of the human rights policy officers for standing up to try to end this humanitarian crisis that is evident in the city of Detroit and also around the nation.

SJ Baker HRPO-NC

Salute Family HRPO-NC 1🤎 “Soft Targets” “Standing” From Civil Rights to Human Rights 2025″ #NationTime = Hard Targets #ForUsByUs

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