Media
A Ripple in Ann Arbor: Premiere and Reconciliation Panel
This video is a recording of the truth and reconciliation event and the premiere of A Ripple in Ann Arbor, a short documentary film originated and produced by Ann Arbor City Council Member Cynthia Harrison, directed by filmmaker Aliyah Mitchell, in partnership with the Ann Arbor District Library Archives. A Ripple in Ann Arbor tells the story of the search for a serial rapist in Ann Arbor in the 1990s, the unfocused and invasive tactics used by police to find the perpetrator, and the innocent man who took the city to court to expose these tactics and reclaim his dignity.
Following the showing of the film, a panel discussion of local civic and law enforcement leaders discussed the events and offered formal apologies to those affected.
This video includes the introduction of the film, the film itself, and the apology and panel portion of the event. To view only the documentary, visit https://aadl.org/arippleinannarbor
Media
A Ripple in Ann Arbor
Originated and produced by Ann Arbor City Council Member Cynthia Harrison, the short documentary film A Ripple in Ann Arbor tells the story of the search for a serial rapist in Ann Arbor in the 1990s, the unfocused and invasive tactics used by police to find the perpetrator, and the innocent man who took the city to court to expose these tactics and reclaim his dignity, weaving interviews with people who lived these events with primary source materials.
Directed by filmmaker Aliyah Mitchell in partnership with the Ann Arbor District Library Archives, the film was released on November 9, 2025, in a truth and reconciliation event at the Michigan Theater. Following the showing of the film, a panel discussion of local civic and law enforcement leaders discussed the events and offered a formal apology to those affected.
The AADL Archives has many additional materials to explore relating to this topic, including dozens of Ann Arbor News articles that appear in the film. Michigan Daily articles are courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library:
1:02 - Police Suspect Serial Rapist - Michigan Daily, May 11, 1994
1:13 - Manhunt For Rapist Intensifies - Michigan Daily, October 17, 1994
2:21 - 5 Police Officers Receive Special Valor Citations - Ann Arbor News, June 24, 1991
3:00 - Police Give Public Improved Profile Of Serial Rapist - Ann Arbor News, June 30, 1994
6:27 - Rites Honor Gailbreath - Ann Arbor News, May 13, 1994
9:28 - Residents Resent Living In Fear - Ann Arbor News, May 13, 1994
10:35 - Public Seeks Action On Serial Rapist - Ann Arbor News, May 12, 1994
10:37 - Police Take Hit At Rapist Forum - Ann Arbor News, August 3, 1995
11:11 - Tenants Union & HRP Plot Renter Survival Tactics - Ann Arbor Sun, October 11, 1974
17:42 - Women & Safety - Ann Arbor News, November 15, 1994
20:28 - Coalition For Community Unity - Ann Arbor News, August 1, 1994
21:42 - Description Used Of Rapist Worries Some - Ann Arbor News, May 15, 1994
22:30 - Reward In Serial Rapist Case Grows - Ann Arbor News, October 29, 1994
24:22, 24:57 & 25:16 - Blacks Feel Wounded By Suspicion - Ann Arbor News, January 25, 1995
25:04 - Police Vow To Return Samples Eventually - Ann Arbor News, July 16, 1995
27:45 - More Consideration Of Blacks Urged In City Planning - Ann Arbor News, March 20, 1972
31:04 - Kurt Berggren For District Court Election Editorials - Agenda, November 1990
31:35 - Search For Serial Rapist Prompts Civil Rights Suit - Ann Arbor News, April 4, 1995
31:59 - 2nd Serial Attacker Suspected - Ann Arbor News, November 1, 1994
32:07 - Police Find Clues In Molester Hunt - Ann Arbor News, November 19, 1994
32:23 - Ann Arbor Man Gets 16-20 Years For Sexual Assault - Ann Arbor News, November 18, 1997
32:53 - Cabbie Describes Tension of Pursuit - Ann Arbor News, January 10, 1995
33:16 - Women Feel Sense of Relief - Ann Arbor News, March 3, 1995
33:23 - 5 Stories That Rocked Our Summer - Agenda, September 1995
33:28 - ‘92 DNA Tests Link Man To Serial Rapes - Michigan Daily, January 9, 1995
33:38 - Police Take Hit At Rapist Forum - Ann Arbor News, August 3, 1995
33:46 - Man Wins Ruling on Blood Sample - Ann Arbor News, December 14, 1995
36:19 - Blood Samples Are Still Barrier - Ann Arbor News, July 14, 1995
36:48 - Man Sues A2 Police Over Harassment In Rape Case - Michigan Daily, April 4, 1995
41:46 - Black Men Recount Pain Of Being Suspected In Rapes - Ann Arbor News, December 11, 1994
45:13 - Public Concerned About Racism Allegations - Ann Arbor News, November 15, 1994
Forgiveness, Frustration
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Media
AADL Productions Podcast: Michael Erlewine
Michael Erlewine, author, archivist, and founder of the All Music Guide spoke with AADL staff about his new book with photographer Stanley Livingston, Blues in Black & White: The Landmark Ann Arbor Blues Festivals. In this interview prior to the public talk, Ann Arbor's old music clubs and coffee shops come alive as Michael takes us on a personal journey of the Ann Arbor music scene circa 1962-1972. He covers a range of musical topics, including the early folk era, when he hitch-hiked with Bob Dylan; the influence of pre-hippie culture on Iggy Pop; the influence of John Sinclair on Ann Arbor culture; and his personal passion for Chicago city blues, which led to the Ann Arbor blues festivals and inspired the formation of his band, The Prime Movers Blues Band, shown below playing at the Schwabin Inn. You can listen to the interview below. You can also view Michael's public talk at the Library.
