The Michigan activists trying to get a referendum on the state's emergency manager law have turned to direct action. With their case stuck in court for two months now, they announced today thatthey're planning a march from Detroit to Lansing. From July 23-27, the Michigan chapter of Al Sharpton's National Action Network will walk 90 miles to the capital in protest of new legislation to make voting harder in Michigan and the continued delay in putting the emergency manager repeal on the ballot.
From the Detroit Free Press:
"Voting rights are very personal to us," said Rev. Charles Williams II, president of the local chapter of the network. "We can see very clearly what's behind the Republican party's tactics."
Back in February, the activists turned in more than enough signatures to make the November ballot. In April, the Board of State Canvassers deadlocked along party lines, thus throwing out the petitions because one line was alleged to be printed in a font size that's too small. One of the two Republicans who voted to toss the petitions is a partner in the firm that shares an address and phone lines with the group bringing the challenge. He has since resigned.
Just so you know, the person picked by Governor Snyder to replace him, Colleen Pero, appears to be married to a former founding partner of the same firm. Bonus: Eclectablog on Pero's ALEC connection.