Ron Brown, Wayne State political science professor, comments about a petition drive to recall Detroit City Councilwoman Sheila Cockrel and the recent support of the move by religious leaders. Brown finds the support of local pastors not surprising given the school board issue, same-sex marriage and how pastors campaigned on those issues, he said. "Pastors in this city have on occasions seen themselves as the voice of the people and grassroots lobbyists," Brown said. "They see their role as both spiritual and political. He added that Detroit is a progressive city and perhaps the only place in the country where Black clergy is actively involved in politics.