Rudy Simons

Rudy Simons

Rudy Simons is a Michigan activist.

Leonard Grossman Obituary

Excerpt from Tova Perlmutter:

"The death in 2011 of Leonard Grossman, one of the Sugar Law Center’s founding board members and a tireless advocate for workers’ and community rights, was a huge blow to peace and justice.

Though he made his living as a real estate developer, Leonard gave a lifetime of service to the causes that mattered most to him: civil liberties, education and economic justice. In addition to Sugar Law, Leonard served as president of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and on the boards of the Fund for Equal Justice and the Cranbrook Peace Foundation.

For many years, Leonard was treasurer for the annual Buck Dinner, which raises money for progressive causes. During 16 years on the West Bloomfield School Board, three as president, Leonard was trusted by both teachers and fellow board members. He was also an early investor in the MetroTimes and played a key role in its history.

“His work for progressive causes was constant,” says Rudy Simons, an activist friend of Leonard’s for 50 years.

Born in 1922 in St. Clair Shores, Leonard was wounded badly while serving in the 94th Infantry Division during World War II. Although doctors feared he might not walk again, his dogged persistence led to near-full recovery. He graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and married Audrey Buckner Gelbard. Over 53 years together, they raised six children and enjoyed ten grandchildren.

I met Leonard only six years ago, but I learned immediately what a dear friend and advisor he was to those who worked alongside him. There are very few people one meets who exude goodness, wisdom and humor from every fiber of their being, and Leonard was one of these people.

Leonard was one of the last people on Sugar Law’s board who had known Maurice and Jane Sugar. Being with Leonard felt always like a warm, strong link to heroes of the past and like an invitation to try to become one for the future..."

Memorial to Coleman Young

On December 20 1997 the Communist Party USA's Peoples Weekly World published on page 18, a memorial to late Detroit mayor Coleman Young.

Signatories to the memorial included Rudy Simons.

Iran trip

In March 2007, group of “citizen diplomats” spent two weeks in Iran. They were on a trip sponsored by an interfaith group, the Fellowship for Reconciliation. Southfield’s Rudy Simons, a longtime peace activist, was one of the delegation.

May Day 2008

Abayomi Azikiwe, stands with Reggie McNaulty and Rudy Simons at May Day demonstration, Detroit's southwest side, 2008

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Maurice & Jane Sugar Law Center

In 2008, Rudy Simons was present at the Essential: Advocacy for Workplace Justice Reception & Silent Auction at Detroit Public Library’s Skillman branch. The reception, which was held on Nov. 14, 2008 is the annual fundraising event to benefit the far left National Lawyers Guild-affiliated Maurice & Jane Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice. The guest of honor at the reception was Andy Levin, son of Congressman Sander Levin, and Deputy Director at the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth.