Repeal PA4 Protests NOW

From Stand Up For Democracy

Join us on Wednesday, June 20 at noon at Cadillac Place located at 3020 W. Grand Boulevard in Detroit as the attorneys representing Stand Up For Democracy file a motion with the Michigan Court of Appeals to compel the Board of Canvassers to certify the petitions within seven days. 

We must stop the stall tactics. We urge you also to call Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson at 517-373-2520 or 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424). Tell her to comply with the law and place the issue on the ballot. You can also tweet her at www.twitter.com/MichSOS and Facebook at www.facebook.com/MichiganSOS.

Time is critical for Detroit 

Mayor Bing has certain powers granted through the Financial Stability Agreement (similar to that of an Emergency Manager) which allow him to cancel or specify the terms of union contracts. 80% of the City of Detroit union contracts have a renewal date of July 1, 2012. If the Consent Agreement remains in force then Mayor Bing will commence to bust the unions and take concessions that he feels appropriate.

How can this be stopped? The order to the Board of Canvassers by the Court of Appeals to place the Repeal of Public Act 4 on the Nov 6 ballot must be enacted before July 1. When the order is enacted the legitimacy of Public Act 4 in placing Emergency Managers around the state will have been SUSPENDED and put to a vote of the people.

Opposition will come from Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility as promised by Bob Lebrand. The group has indicated they are filing a stay on the court order in an attempt to take "font gate" to the Michigan Supreme Court. If the stay on the order is accepted that places the order in a 42 day waiting period to hear from the Supreme Court. Thus a stay would enable Mayor Bing to commence with slaughtering city worker union contracts since it would delay the suspension of Public Act 4 powers past the July 1st contract renewal date.

CALL FOR ACTION JUNE 27 

Photo: Stephen Boyle "Fuzzytek"

Free Detroit is calling for a PEOPLE'S FORUM / RALLY on Wednesday June 27, 2012 at 5:00pm to take place at the Labor Monument in Hart Plaza which is visible from Jefferson and stands diagonal across Jefferson & Woodward from the Coleman A Young Municipal Center (CAYMC). The date and time is critical - Mayor Bing will be holding his Community Meeting from 7:00-8:30pm in the Erma Henderson Auditorium of the CAYMC on the 13th floor, as a Charter mandated session.

We invite everyone to the People's Forum to discuss the various issues encountered at this time by the people of Detroit. Speakers will be arranged from various organizations to address topics such as:

• Corporation Counsel and the Board of Ethics - get to know the City Charter
• Housing As A Human Right
• Ethics Complaints - what is it and how to file one or more
• Department of Transportation
• Department of Public Lighting
• Parks and Recreation - future of festivals, Belle Isle and other parks
• Public Schools, Charter Schools and Youth Programs
• Public Libraries
• Health and Safety, including the Department of Human Services
• and more...

The intent is to have stakeholders and the public hold discussion on the topics that matter to the residents and visitors to Detroit. We wish to prepare an educated public to enter the Mayor's meeting, ready to ask him about the concerns we all share. Lets talk about solutions, and not forget that legal action may be needed.