How Southwest Detroit’s Blessing of the Lowriders continues to evolve, and why it matters
How Southwest Detroit’s Blessing of the Lowriders continues to evolve, and why it matters

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PHOTOS: How Southwest Detroit's Blessing of the Lowriders continues to evolve, and why it matters

In 1997, Victor Villalobos was inspired after meeting a group of teens from the Royalty Car & Bicycle Club. He shared their concern that the community viewed them as a gang and not as a group of enthusiasts passionate about bikes and cars. Villalobos, a youth minister at the time, and still very involved in the festivities brought the club to a Catholic mass to receive a blessing, allowing other community members to meet them. A neighborhood tradition was born.