Greeted by the newly constructed “Detroit” sign, my colleagues and I arrived in the Motor City for the final stop on the ACLU’s Know Your Rights bus tour. We didn’t actually ride our Know Your Rights bus to Detroit. Instead, we arrived to find the bus in all its glory parked outside the Garden Theater, just off the bustling Woodward Avenue. While Detroit is the last stop on our tour, the KYR bus has crisscrossed the country helping voters know their rights and feel empowered and excited to show up to the polls this November.

In Detroit, the ACLU KYR tour was hosting a live taping of our podcast, At Liberty, as well as a rap concert with the famed Danny Brown. As we entered the theater, well over an hour before the event started, the energy was already palpable. The venue was buzzing. Lights were flashing and enthusiastic volunteers prepped tables with free ACLU Know Your Rights swag, which included cans of La Colombe cold brew and Tony’s chocolates. As it approached time for the doors to open, people began to gather, many talking about the evening’s headliner, the rapper Danny Brown. One fan mentioned that this would be his 15th time seeing the Detroit legend perform.

Danny was closing our event. To kick us off was the comedian W. Kamau Bell hosting a live-taping of our At Liberty podcast. Loren Khogali, the executive director at the ACLU of Michigan, and Razi Jafri, a Detroit-based documentary filmmaker and producer joined Kamau in conversation on stage. Kamau’s lively energy quickly won over the crowd as he made lighthearted conversation about Detroit’s best food spots before diving into deeper topics, like Michigan’s long history of political organizing and the importance of voting.

Razi shared his insight on the mobilization of Muslim and Arab communities in southeast Michigan, emphasizing that such activism mirrored a growing power and movement across America, especially on college campuses. Loren and Kamau expanded the discussion, highlighting the intersectional history of Michigan’s activism. In particular, civil liberties and civil rights in Michigan improved when powerful coalitions of Black, Arab, and other diverse communities across the state worked together.

Kamau, Razi and Loren urged audiences to vote this election season, stressing the importance of understanding how voting intersects with all levels of government — from the president to the state Supreme Court. Loren’s parting words left a lasting impression: "Be curious and be critical. Get out and make a plan to vote!"

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The energy in the room continued to build as beatboxer Stevie Soul took the stage, warming up the crowd with his rhythmic skills. Soon, he was joined by Comic Rapper, improvising rhymes and getting the audience involved, fueling the anticipation for what was to come.Finally, the headline moment arrived. Detroit’s own Danny Brown hit the stage. The crowd erupted.

The Garden Theater pulsed with energy as the bass boomed and lights flashed. Fans crowded toward the stage, singing along word for word to hits like “Grown Up” and “Really Doe.” With his unique voice and flow, the performance was electric, and the connection between Danny and the Detroit community was undeniable.

As the night wound down and we stepped back out into the cool evening air, one fan’s voice carried over the crowd: “Know your rights!” It echoed down the street. It was a reminder that tonight was about more than just a show; it was about empowerment and democracy.

If you weren’t able to catch us on tour, you can still pledge to vote.

This September, I joined the ACLU’s Know Your Rights Bus Tour on its third and fourth stops in Philadelphia, PA and Detroit, MI. In Philly, we kicked off the festivities with our first ACLU Know Your Rights live game show. Hosted by W. Kamau Bell, the contestants included exceptional local drag queens and activists. We closed the evening with a recording of our At Liberty podcast, hosted by W. Kamau Bell, in an inspiring discussion with Mike Lee, the executive director of ACLU Pennsylvania, about the unique challenges Philly faces as one of the poorer big cities, as well on the importance of voting.

In Detroit, the tour included a sold-out concert with the legendary rapper, singer, and songwriter Danny Brown for a one-night-only, hometown performance. Danny got people amped up to get out and vote.

Want to join the tour? Check out our upcoming stops. If you’re not able to catch us on tour, you can pledge to vote.

Below, find photos and videos from Philly and Detroit:

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The bus pulled up to the Theatre of the Living Arts (TLA) on South Street. We were greeted by a big Marquee announcing the fun evening ahead to the neighborhood. We loved getting to explore the neighborhood before the big night.

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After the crowd settled in their seats, complete with some ACLU swag and free Ben & Jerry’s —I got strawberry cheesecake, thank you for asking — the game show was off to the races. Award-winning producer, director, comedian, and ACLU Racial Justice Ambassador W. Kamau Bell quizzed our contestants on voting rights, local Philly legends, pop culture, and more.

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Meet our contestants! Philly’s “Phattest RagDoll” Tiffany Uma Mascara took the stage to represent Gen Z. VinChelle, crowned “Best of Philly” by The Philadelphia Inquirer, showed us her stuff. Ajour “Di” Hargrove brought her Philly roots to the show and left it all on the stage.

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Tiffany and VinChelle celebrating with some hard-won La Colombe drinks.

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What better way to end the evening than an energizing discussion about the power of our vote and the wonderful Philadelphia community? After a fun and rowdy game show, I left feeling informed and empowered to use my voice this election season.

When we arrived in Detroit, Loren Khogali, executive director for the ACLU of Michigan, welcomed hundreds into the beautiful Garden Theater in preparation for another electrifying night.

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The show kicked off with a live taping of the ACLU’s podcast, At Liberty, hosted once again by the exceptional W. Kamau Bell in conversation with Razi Jafri, a Detroit-based documentary filmmaker and producer, and Loren Khogali, the executive director at the ACLU of Michigan. The three discussed the importance of voting rights, and the activism in Michigan communities that has helped bring so much change to the state.

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Legendary Detroit rapper, singer, and songwriter Danny Brown took the stage for a one-of-a-kind hometown performance and the audience just couldn’t get enough. His enthusiasm and flow was unmatched!

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Audience members were hyped up and dancing the whole night, singing along to their favorite Danny tracks. One audience member I talked to had been to 14 other Danny Brown shows and has loved the artist for over a decade, and was honored to see him at the Garden Theater.

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Danny brought down the house! He filled the room with his singular sound, which has given him such an engaged following over the years. I left the show both with a renewed appreciation for the Detroit music scene, and a sense of urgency to go vote.

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