News & Commentary

With lives hanging in the balance, time is running out for the Michigan Legislature to pass a bill desperately needed to protect people throughout the state—especially during a global pandemic.  

At a time when American politics seems defined by partisan rancor and deep divide, Michigan’s lame-duck Legislature has the rare opportunity to come together and significantly improve all of our lives by getting 18 critically important pieces of legislation, commonly referred to as the “Smart Justice” reform package, across the finish line. With just days left this session, the race is on to get these bills, which have bipartisan support, passed and on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk. There are two reasons for this urgency. One, signing them into law will do a world of good to improve our criminal legal system, especially for the communities of color and poor people disproportionately being harmed by it.  

Earlier this month, as I was standing with my right hand raised and swearing an oath of allegiance to the United States, one of the many thoughts racing through my mind was how dangerously close I came to never realizing this lifelong dream of being an American citizen. 

The ongoing fight to free people from immigration detention during COVID  

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan (ACLU) commends Oakland County voters for embracing the ACLU’s Smart Justice campaign goals, which include ending mass incarceration and advancing racial justice in the criminal legal system.  Karen McDonald defeated Republican candidate Lin Goetz.  

In an unprecedented year, it’s only natural that we have an unprecedented election. It’s the first in our lifetimes to occur during a global pandemic, and one in which an unprecedented number of ballots will be cast after being mailed to voters.  

When the ACLU of Michigan People Power Tour made a stop earlier this month in Berrien County, concerns of possible voter intimidation were raised at the virtual event. Specifically, residents of Benton Harbor, which is 85 percent Black, wanted to be prepared for the possibility of armed white supremacists showing up at the polls on Election Day, a potential threat that has made headlines nationwide.   

With all the attention being placed on the presidential election and other high-profile races under way, there is an important civil liberties issue on the ballot that should not be overlooked. I’m talking about Proposal 2, which seeks to amend the Michigan Constitution to require that law enforcement agencies obtain a search warrant to access a person's electronic data and electronic communications. 

Forty-seven years. That’s a long time for just about anything, but a particularly long time to hold down one job.