WINDSOR

Retirees, city workers protest at Detroit courthouse

The Associated Press Published Wednesday, October 23, 2013 10:39AM EDT

Retirees, city workers and supporters protest outside the U.S. federal courthouse in Detroit, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013. (Chris Campbell / CTV Windsor)

Text:

DETROIT - Retirees, city workers and others waved flags, carried signs and chanted in protest of Detroit's emergency manager and the city's historic bankruptcy filing.

The protest took place Wednesday outside the federal courthouse downtown where a trial is being held to determine if Detroit's bankruptcy can go forward.

One of the chants was: "Hands off our pensions. Make the banks pay."

Detroit filed for Chapter 9 protection in July. It's at least $18 billion in debt.

But nothing can happen until a judge finds the city is eligible to be in bankruptcy court.

The trial starting Wednesday is expected to last several days with testimony from state-appointed emergency manager Kevyn Orr and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, who authorized the bankruptcy filing.