Crittendon and Hollowell Speak

Thursday June 28 a number of Free Detroit - No Consent members attended the NAACP Detroit Branch meeting and had a wonderful discussion on two highly controversial matters being discussed in Detroit and Michigan. Speakers for the evening were Butch Hollowell from Stand Up For Democracy speaking about the Repeal of Public Act 4, and Krystal Crittendon, Detroit Corporation Counsel speaking about the Consent Agreement. It was an evening for the public to become informed on how democracy for the people is being fought for locally and in the state.

Each speaker's presentation was valuable for anyone that has only had news stories and bits of information to bring the stories together. You were given the breadth of
the story to know how it has evolved, what issues are currently being faced, and the action steps that are being taken.

Repeal of Public Act 4

Stand Up For Democracy has a team of attorneys working together to remove Emergency Manager Laws from Michigan. Our speaker was Melvin "Butch" Hollowell, Detroit Branch NAACP attorney.

Current action is the motion requesting immediate implementation of the order to place the Repeal of Public Act 4 on the November ballot. Additionally voter legislation was headed for approval by Governor Snyder.

The Consent Agreement of Detroit

Voter Legislation Bills 

Yesterday Governor Snyder vetoed the following "voter suppression" bills. 11 voter registration bills were signed into law.

• SB 754 [VETO] - sought training for organizations registering voters. The governor stated timing on this would be too tight to accomplish and would further confuse voter registration efforts.
• SB 803 & HB 5061 [VETO] - prevent voting fraud by requiring a voter to reaffirm U.S. citizenship before receiving a ballot and requiring photo ID when picking up an absentee ballot.

May 10 Rev Pinckney on Trial

Thursday, May 10 at 10am Judge Sullivan will be holding trial against Rev Edward Pinckney, the elected president of Benton Harbor NAACP. Court is on 10th floor Coleman A Young Municipal Building, 2 Woodward Ave, Detroit. We need more people in the courtroom supporting Rev Pinckney and holding the courts and officials in line.

Rev Pinckney has been an activist opposed to the wrongful  acts of Whirlpool Corporation, and Michigan's first installed Emergency Manager, Joe Harris. There has been an illegal takeover of the local NAACP branch taken on by Whirlpool Corporation, the PGA tournament, and Harbor Shores.

• Pinkney Files Lawsuit on April 2, 2012 against National NAACP President Ben Jealous, State of Michigan NAACP President Yvonne White, and Vice President James Gill.
• Read the BHbanco blog to understand Benton Harbor & Rev Pinckney's situation.
• Occupy The PGA - May 23-27 at Harbor Shores, please wear black each day and participate in the Death March each day from 10-10:30am each day at Benton Harbor City Hall, 200 E Wall St, Benton Harbor.