Organizers have said that thousands of people are in Detroit this week for the U. S. Social Forum, a gathering of labor, political and religious activists.

The Detroit Free Press has reported that the convention, which runs through Saturday, opened Tuesday with a march down Woodward Avenue.

It has been reported that Joan Jacobs of Port Huron, Mich., a member of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Nation, wore a beaded buckskin dress for the march. She was joined by her daughter, Marcy McDonald, and two granddaughters.

Jacobs said, "We want to make a stand for all conditions for all people to be better."

Organizers say this year's gathering has attracted more religious groups than the last one three years ago in Atlanta.

The Rev. Ed Rowe, pastor of Central United Methodist in Detroit, said at a meeting on Wednesday at Christ Church, "Faith is about justice. Without justice, faith is living a lie. If your faith is just about helping only the people who are inside stained glass windows, we ought to quit." (With Inputs from Agencies)