Civil Rights
Charges dropped against Detroit cop accused of shooting journalists with rubber bullets
A judge dismissed charges Tuesday against a Detroit cop who was accused of firing rubber bullets at three photojournalists during protests over police brutality in May 2020. Corp. Daniel Debono was charged with three felony counts of felonious assault for allegedly shooting rubber bullets at MLive’s Nicole Hester and independent journalists Seth Herald and Matthew […]
Column: My son has Down syndrome. Your taxes enrich his life.
I can’t decide which was more fun last month: The visit with my son Greg to visit my daughter, Natalie, or the 2,700-mile round trip to South Dakota and back. The visit was a typical family reconnection with Natalie, her husband, Matt, and children Cody, 9, and Emily, 5. The trip itself was … delightful, […]
Controversial GOP Senate bill banning ‘critical race theory’ passes in committee
Democratic lawmakers and educators are sounding the alarm about Senate Bill 460, the second GOP bill banning “critical race theory” that will head for a full chamber vote this fall in the Michigan Legislature. The legislation was reported out of committee Tuesday, and is similar to bills introduced by Republicans in several other states that […]
Senate passes vaccine mandate ban for students, Dem calls bills ‘patently pointless’
The Michigan Senate passed Tuesday a number of bills that aim to limit vaccination and mask mandates for students as the fight over COVID-19 measures during the pandemic continues. Senate Bills 600–603 would prohibit schools from requiring students to receive an emergency use authorization (EUA) vaccination to participate in school-related activities and would require schools […]
Dept. of Labor economist says work must continue to eliminate economic disparities
Janelle Jones, chief economist for the U.S. Department of Labor, shared her vision of an equitable economic future for working people in Michigan and around the country at the Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) conference on Monday. Jones was the keynote speaker for the “Getting Back to the Future: Securing an Equitable Recovery for […]
Nessel files brief with state Supreme Court to expand LGBTQ+ rights
Attorney General Dana Nessel, on behalf of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR), is challenging a ruling from the Court of Claims that decided the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) does not prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. “All Michiganders are entitled to the same civil rights—the right to be free from actionable discrimination […]
In Benton Harbor’s water crisis, a long history of systemic racism — and a chance for justice
Every day, Elnora Gavin wakes up terrified that her young son will use the tap water in their Benton Harbor home to brush his teeth when she’s not looking. She thinks of the horror stories emanating from children drinking lead infused water in Flint — which, like Benton Harbor, is a predominantly Black city that […]
GOP leaders seek new avenue to undermine elections: local canvassing boards
As Michigan Republican Party members continue to perpetuate false claims on the 2020 election won by President Joe Biden, party leaders have shifted their focus on those in charge of certifying vote counts in future elections. Republicans are now replacing members on county canvassing boards who certified the 2020 election results with those who falsely […]
State redistricting stumbles amidst familiar partisan infighting
WASHINGTON — This year’s round of redistricting is already crumbling into partisanship and court challenges in multiple states, even as voters pay more attention than ever to new political maps that will shape elections for a decade. Hopes were high initially. Advocates in several states pushed measures over the last few years that they hoped […]
Voting rights groups organize against GOP ballot measure at farmers markets, community events
As a controversial, Republican-led petition to restrict voting access has begun collecting signatures, groups opposing the “Secure MI Vote” initiative have ramped up efforts to rally people against signing the petition. Opposition groups have even launched information campaigns to fight what voting rights advocate Nancy Wang called a “vehicle for perpetuating the Big Lie” that […]
Tlaib, Geiss call on feds to support Afghan and Haitian refugees
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) and state Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) this week both expressed their desire for the federal government to give more support for Afghans and Haitians currently residing in the United States. In a letter led by Tlaib on Wednesday, she and 24 other members of Congress urged President Joe Biden to […]
Report: Homelessness in Michigan dropped 19% in 2020
Homelessness in Michigan dropped 19% in 2020 from 2019, according to a new report. “Ending Homelessness in Michigan” was created in collaboration with several state government departments and agencies. It outlines a combination of factors contributing to 2020’s reduction in homelessness, including the implementation of eviction moratoriums. It also highlights the Michigan State Housing Development […]