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American History

When the Police Wouldn’t Protect Them: The Rise of Black Self-Defense Groups

Darren July 20, 2025 6 min
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5. The Detroit Revolutionary Union Movement (DRUM)

5. The Detroit Revolutionary Union Movement (DRUM)
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Formed in 1968, the Detroit Revolutionary Union Movement (DRUM) united Black auto workers to fight for fair labor practices and safety. DRUM members weren’t just labor activists—they also organized to defend themselves and their communities against police brutality and racist attacks within Detroit’s factories. Their direct action strategies made them a model for similar groups nationwide (via Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy).

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Darren

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