By Fighting Words Staff
On Saturday, August 15, 2026, the Detroit Tenants Union (DTU) held a rally outside the Leland House on Bagley at Cass in downtown Detroit.
The gathering was held to demand justice for the residents of the Leland House who were illegally evicted during November of last year.
The DTU organized the tenants at the Leland House where they intervened in the bankruptcy proceedings for the previous landlords seeking compensation for the illegal lockout.
Although the City of Detroit did agree to work with the displaced tenants to provide compensation for relocation, DTU leader Steve Rimmer says the administration is now attempting to back out of the agreements made during the bankruptcy court hearings.
Now, according to Rimmer, the administration wants to resolve the issues through mediation.
At the rally the tenants with the assistance of the DTU committed themselves to continue the struggle for justice.
Personal belongings of the evicted tenants still remain inside the abandoned building.
The Leland House, once a luxury hotel in downtown Detroit, was allowed by the City administration to deteriorate over the decades.
From the Detroit Tenants Union:
New Leland House Developments:
In the spring of 2026, the City of Detroit offered residents significant compensation. So, DTU deescalated public pressure because we believed it was in the best interest of residents and gave them the best chance to receive the compensation being offered.
But we all learned, public pressure may be the only thing that will hold these city officials accountable.
Now the City’s lawyers say that compensation is off the table.
THAT AIN’T RIGHT.
Yesterday we made it clear: LELAND HOUSE TENANTS UNION IS STILL ORGANIZED. STILL FIGHTING. AND WE AIN’T GOING NOWHERE.
Throughout this entire court process, the City of Detroit and the building owner have unsuccessfully tried to discredit DTU and the Leland House Tenants Union.
DTU and Leland residents fought back and will continue to fight!
These residents are not case numbers. They are not legal liabilities. They are not obstacles standing in the way of somebody’s redevelopment plans.
They are human beings.
They are Detroiters and they deserve answers, compensation and justice.
No more delays! No more excuses!
Pay the people what they deserve!
Justice for Leland House now!#housingisahumanright #unionpower #tenantpower #weallwegot #detroittenantsunion
