Michigan Dems made it clear hate has no place in Michigan
LANSING — This week, Republicans broke their own record for how low they can go as they stayed largely silent in the face of their fellow MIGOP member, Rep. Josh Schriver, spreading racist conspiracy theories. While Democrats took immediate action to denounce those beliefs, “leaders” like MAGA Matt Hall have still not spoken up publicly, and extremists like Rep. Matt Maddock even supported Schriver.
This week also marked the first anniversary of the shooting at Michigan State University that saw the loss of three students to gun violence. Michigan Dems honored the anniversary and promised to keep pushing for further gun safety reforms to ensure no more lives are lost to senseless acts of gun violence.
It was a heavy week in Michigan and disgraced former President Trump is sure to close it out by bringing more far-right chaos to the state on Saturday. Thankfully, the party brought together Representatives Dingell and Stevens along with Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Lavora Barnes and UAW Region 1 Director LaShawn English for a press call to lay out the facts of Trump’s record on reproductive rights, workers rights, and gun safety before a single lie could come out of his mouth this weekend.
Don’t take our word for it, check out the week’s happenings below:
Since Rep. Schriver not only failed to recognize that his behavior was vile but even doubled down on it, Speaker Joe Tate sanctioned the representative to make it clear that behavior is not welcome in the People’s House. We can always count on Michigan Democratic leaders like Tate to stand up against hatred and bigotry, whatever form it takes:
AP: Republican Michigan Lawmaker Loses Staff and Committee Assignment After Online Racist Post
- Schriver, who represents portions of Oakland and Macomb counties, can vote on the House floor. But Tate removed him from a committee and told the House Business Office to oversee his staff members, who still can assist constituents…
- Schriver was elected to a two-year term in 2022. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, released a statement Friday calling his post “abhorrent rhetoric.” “We will never let those who stoke racial fears divide us,” she said.
Detroit News: Michigan GOP lawmaker stripped of committee, office staff after ‘great replacement’ post
- Tate’s office said GOP state Rep. Josh Schriver of Oxford will still be able to vote on the House floor but his service on committees and access to office resources is subject to the “discretion and pleasure” of Tate, D-Detroit…
- While some Republican lawmakers condemned Schriver’s post, House Republican Leader Matt Hall has stayed silent on the issue.
Then, things got even worse for Schriver as the House passed a resolution denouncing racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and anti-semitism to condemn his behavior. In a vote of 98-5 and 5 representatives absent, the only five no votes were from Freedom Caucus members Carra, Friske, DeSana, Maddock, and of course, Schriver.
These five members were clearly incapable of showing even the smallest amount of human decency, as their no votes on condemning bigotry made apparent. The other five, Fox, Johnsen, Kuhn, McKinney, and Smit, were absent from the session for unrelated reasons. MAGA Rep. Matt Maddock even supported Schriver on social media after he doubled down on his conspiracy theories, making it very clear where their values lie:
Detroit News: House votes to condemn racism, anti-Semitism after GOP lawmaker’s ‘great replacement’ post
- “Such language and images often draw on stereotypes and conspiracy theories that do not reflect the reality of the world or its people,” the resolution introduced by Rep. Jason Hoskins, D-Southfield, said. “Such discourse has been used to incite and justify deadly violence against individuals and communities of color…”
- On the House floor, Tate said people watch how members of the “people’s House” conduct themselves and see racist or anti-Semitic rhetoric as roadblocks to accessing state government. “Attempting to govern through hate, through fear or through the marginalization of groups of people is unsustainable and it is reckless,” Tate said…
On a more somber note, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Lavora Barnes recognized the first anniversary of the shooting at MSU. Barnes, along with many other statewide Democrats, mourned the loss of life and uplifted the several new gun control laws in place to safeguard all our communities:
“Over the past year, Michigan Democrats turned thoughts and prayers into real action. Democrats in the statehouse passed critical gun safety measures to honor the memories of Arielle Anderson, Brian Fraser, and Alex Verner and protect Michiganders from senseless violence. Arielle, Brian, and Alex will not be forgotten, and we will continue to work hard to pass further common-sense measures to stop a tragedy like this from happening again.
“The vast majority of Republicans have stood in the way of common-sense gun laws at every turn and insist on making our great state a more dangerous place. Those MSU students, and every victim of gun violence, deserve better, and Michigan Democrats will not stop fighting until all our communities are safe from gun violence.”
Finally, the week wrapped up with Democratic and Union leaders reminding Michigan of Trump’s horrific record on reproductive rights, workers’ rights, and gun safety ahead of his visit tomorrow.
Check out the video recording of the virtual press call where Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes, Representatives Debbie Dingell and Haley Stevens, as well as UAW Region 1 Director LaShawn English laid out the threat Trump poses to our most basic rights.
Another busy week in Michigan – we remain proud of the work we’ve done and look forward to delivering more next week. Til then,
Signing off,
Michigan Dems
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