Civil Rights
Gov. supports ‘the spirit’ of defunding police, investing in social services
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Tuesday that she supports “the spirit” of calls to defund police departments and reallocate the funds to social services as cities across the country continue to protest the alleged killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. Whitmer made the remark during an interview with The Root that was broadcast […]
‘Trying to find reform’: Small cities hold anti-police brutality protests
Small Michigan cities and towns have held peaceful anti-police brutality protests, joining a growing Black Lives Matter movement that has swept across the nation — and even the world — in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Since late May, demonstrations have taken place in more than two dozen municipalities in Michigan on both sides […]
Congressional Dems lay out expansive police reform plans
Updated, 1:53 p.m 6/8/20, 10:45 a.m. 6/9/20 with comments from Dingell WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats outlined their vision for sweeping police reforms on Capitol Hill Monday, following weeks of nationwide protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota. “Never again should the world be subjected to witnessing what we saw on the streets […]
With Whitmer’s support, Nessel joins suit challenging DeVos Title IX rules
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s backing, is filing a lawsuit alongside 17 other attorneys general to dispute new Title IX federal rules handed down from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). Nessel and states’ attorneys general say the new guidance “strips students of longstanding protections against sexual harassment” and violates Title […]
Gilda Z. Jacobs: Protests can be a catalyst for racial justice and equity
The Michigan League for Public Policy has fought against injustice since we were founded in 1912, and right now is one of the most pivotal moments in that time span. At the League, we want to acknowledge the real pain and suffering that is occurring across the country right now, particularly for Black people. While […]
Republican posts ammunition photo in response to Floyd protests
State Rep. Gary Eisen (R-St. Clair Twp.) posted on Facebook this week that he may “load up a few more mags” in response to statewide protests over the death of George Floyd. Floyd, a 45-year-old African American man from Minneapolis, was killed last week by a police officer who pinned a knee on Floyd’s neck. […]
Column: Being pro-life has to be more than a slogan
As of this writing, almost 5,600 Michiganders have died as a result of the novel coronavirus. Those are people – living, breathing humans who had families and jobs and hopes and dreams. They’re gone, and hardly a word has been uttered on their behalf. It’s disappointing, but not surprising, to see the “pro-life” conservatives in […]
Ingham Health Dept. declares racism public health crisis, BLM activist calls for Schor to resign
In a virtual call to action Wednesday night hosted by Black Lives Matter Lansing, which has so far been viewed by 30,000 people, Ingham County Health Department leadership agreed to declare racism a public health crisis and encouraged the County Commission to adopt a formal resolution. Lansing Mayor Andy Schor also was twice asked for […]
Increased police training bill passes unanimously through Senate
A bill requiring all incoming law enforcement officers to complete training on implicit bias, de-escalation techniques and mental health screening passed unanimously through the GOP-led Senate on Thursday — a rarity for progressive legislation. State Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), who introduced Senate Bill 945, said this is “a small step forward in righting years […]
Ingham Co. prosecutor will review EL police use of force incident, if asked
Ingham County Prosecutor Carol Siemon will, if requested, review the use of force by East Lansing Officer Andy Stephenson in an incident in February that left a Black man with injuries to his face. The decision comes after several protests in the Lansing area in response to the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black […]
Whitmer rolls out reforms to prevent police brutality
As large-scale protests against police brutality and racism continue in Michigan and beyond, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday announced a series of policy proposals to increase accountability for Michigan law enforcement officers. Whitmer also noted a number of actions being taken by the Michigan State Police (MSP) to support the goal of a more transparent […]
Dems: Systemic racism is ‘government oppression’
State Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) took to the Senate floor Wednesday to speak out about government oppression, following the killing of George Floyd, a 45-year-old African American from Minneapolis after a police officer pinned a knee on his neck. “America has changed. The murder of an unarmed Black man at the hands of four police […]