News & Commentary

Are Michigan's labor unions beating against a locked door? In your civil liberties update for the week, a big step towards invalidating the so-called Right-to-Work law and we're fighting for Michiganders access to both medical marijuana and justice. 

For decades, law enforcement has struggled with the proper, legal application of non-lethal weapons. From rubber bullets to chemical mace, technology has come a long way, but there is still no substitute for proper training. Especially when you're talking about a couple thousand volts electrifying a human body.

Some ACLU supporters choose to help by donating their financial resources. Others lend their talent and time. However, David Moran and Kris Olsson of Ann Arbor have devoted all of the above to the ACLU of Michigan for years. Not only has the couple made a significant five year financial pledge, they regularly support our Annual Dinner and have the ACLU in their estate plans. David is one of our most consistent and successful cooperating attorneys, serving on the State Board of Directors and the statewide Lawyers Committee. David and Kris further demonstrate their dedication to social justice by the diversity of their commitments. In addition to supporting the ACLU, they also give to the Huron River Watershed Council, the University of Michigan, and the Humane Society. Their two young daughters are encouraged to be independent, and the family speaks openly about voting, politics, and their support of the Humane Society.

Did all your Facebook friends turn into math fans this week?

We love protecting freedom of religion and expression here at the ACLU. It's sort of our thing, which made it hurt this morning when a Michigan Senate committee passed dangerous, discriminatory legislation under the false guise of protecting such rights. In a move that once again demonstrates how out of touch the Michigan Legislature is with the public it purportedly represents, the Senate Health Policy Committee passed the License to Discriminate Bill (Senate Bill 136), which allows medical facilities to refrain from offering health care services and procedures based on religious or moral standards. Who can calculate the devastating real-life impact of allowing hospitals, medical groups, insurance companies, pharmacies and research universities to refuse to care for those in need? 

It’s unfortunate that years of discrimination have conditioned many people of color to expect unfairness and accept injustice with sad resignation. However, there are occasions when the insult, humiliation and injury are too great to overlook. The fate of three students in Ann Arbor has become that story for many in the community, and supporters have taken to the streets and the meeting room to voice their displeasure. Back in October, the head football coaches for rival Pioneer and Huron high schools got into an argument after a game. One coach reportedly shoved the other, and within a matter of seconds, scores of players and others were throwing punches and kicks. In the aftermath, the coaches left their jobs, and an unknown number of students are believed to have been suspended from school. But only three students were criminally charged as a result of the incident: all of African descent. For several years, the ACLU of Michigan has researched, investigated, analyzed and campaigned against the school-to-prison pipeline. Grossly disproportionate suspensions and expulsions of black students from schools tend to result in their overrepresentation in the criminal justice system. They've heard our message in Ann Arbor. When members of the community considered that this incident was triggered by the conduct of white coaches, the injustice of leaving only three black student athletes to navigate the criminal justice system stood out as a clear part of the school-to-prison pipeline problem. There are ongoing efforts to organize support for the students. This week, even the Ann Arbor School Board called for all charges related to the football brawl to be dropped. As part of our work fighting the pathway to prison for young students, we have written to the prosecutor in these young men's case, explaining the importance of recognizing that they are members of an at-risk demographic and recommending alternatives to criminal charges that might prevent damage to their futures. More importantly for the futures of all our students, we have urged that the prosecutor work with us to establish a restorative justice program in the Washtenaw County courts that can be employed to prevent unnecessary incarceration that can be available when similar incidents occur. We cannot stand by while our children's futures are thrown away, and like the people of Ann Arbor, we must face injustice with the courage to change for the better.  Key News and Resources Read our letter to the prosecutor Contact us to volunteer to help end the school-to-prison pipeline  Student Know Your Rights Cards (pdf) Reclaiming Michigan’s Throwaway Kids: Students Trapped in the School-to-Prison Pipeline (pdf) The School to Prison Pipeline

Just last week, thousands were celebrating Royal Oak's move to amend the city anti-discrimination ordinance to protect all our neighbors and visitors. However, now a small group is circulating a petition to stop this common-sense law from going into effect.  Take action: Urge your friends to Decline to Sign► Share on Facebook► Tweet this65% of Michiganders support making sure that gay and transgender people, are protected from discrimination. Twenty-one other cities in Michigan and more than 100 across the country who have successfully implemented similar ordinances.“The Royal Oak City Commission passed the human rights ordinance 6 to 1,” said Commissioner Jim Rasor, who participated in the press conference. “This is something that fair-minded people across our city support. It’s good for Royal Oak. That’s why the City Commission voted to support this effort.”Key News and Documents► ACLU Blog | Who's Elliott Larsen? Searching for Equality in MichiganLearn more about issues you care about and take action: become a member, subscribe to our email action alerts, follow us on Twitter, and like us on Facebook.