Michigan United is a broad coalition of grassroots faith, labor, and other organizations that are “fighting for the dignity and potential of every person.” As they say in their “About” page, they “are committed to a participatory democracy at every level, an economy that works for the many, and a society that dismantles racism while uplifting our common humanity. To ignite the power of our communities and shift the balance of power, we cultivate the leadership of those directly affected by injustice, and build popular institutions for the future.”
This Tuesday, September 30th, they are converging on the State Capitol Building in Lansing, Michigan to talk to legislators and their staffers to discuss issues related to social justice. They are going to meet up at the Central United Methodist Church next to the Capitol Building at 9 a.m. and invite you to join them. One of the lawmakers they are hoping to meet with is Rep. Kevin Daley, a Republican from the 82nd House District, to discuss his bill to defund refugee shelters. So far he has refused. If he doesn’t change his mind, there will be a direct action that you can take part in. As they told me in an email: “The more the merrier.”
After the opening event on Tuesday is over, they have a dozen or so legislative meetings that folks can take part in where they will discuss mass incarceration and fair elections with a wide spectrum of lawmakers.
Here are the details:
What: Capitol Day 2014
When: Tuesday September 30th, 9AM-4PM
Where: Central United Methodist Church 215 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Lansing, MILansing, MI- People from across Michigan will converge on the state capitol September 30th for a day of legislative meetings, personal stories and direct actions.
The annual event called “Capitol Day” is being organized by Michigan United, a statewide community organization that focuses on immigrant rights, housing, labor and other issues related to social justice. Over a dozen meetings with State Representatives and Senators have been scheduled to discuss mass incarceration and fair elections. Currently, our state spends over 20% of the total budget in prisons and has a skewed electoral districting policy that disenfranchises thousands of Michigan voters.
Concerned citizens have also requested a meeting with Rep. Kevin Daley (R-82) to discuss his proposal to de-fund refugee shelters in Michigan housing children from Central America seeking asylum. Although the shelters will not use local or state funding to house Central American Children, many of these shelters do receive state funding to care for Michigan youth. Daley is making a campaign issue around the vulnerable children fleeing from violence in Central America. Michigan United wants to provide Rep. Daley with an opportunity to hear personal stories of families from Central America to take into consideration before moving forward with his proposal.
UPDATE: Michigan United is also holding a “Billionaire’s Ball” in front of Gov. Snyder’s office across from the Capitol Building at 1:15. Here are the details:
What: The Billionaire’s Ball
When: 1:15 p.m. Tuesday September 30th, 2014
Where: George W. Romney Building, 111 S Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI 48933Not everyone is upset about the new Pension Tax Michigan’s perverse changes have the rich dancing in the street while retirees are left singing the blues.
Lansing, MI- Governor Snyder’s new pension tax is projected to reap $1.8 billion from Michigan pensioners. So now, retirees who’d planned on living on a fixed income must find a way to live on a little less. The state budget might have benefited from such a painful windfall, however the simultaneous elimination of the Michigan Business Tax is expected to reduce revenues roughly THE SAME AMOUNT!
Snyder’s wealthy friends are apparently too classy to rub seniors’ noses in this blatant money grab. Fortunately for them, on September 30th, they’ll have the opportunity to live vicariously through the actions of the Michigan People’s Campaign!
You are invited to join us for our Billionaire’s Ball in front of the Governor’s office, 111 S Capitol Ave Lansing, MI Tuesday afternoon at 1:15 p.m.
There’ll be swinging, swaying,
String quartets playing.
Dancing in the streets!Don’t forget your monocle.
Dancing in the streets!And your top hat too.
Dancing in the streets!And when the party’s over, you’ll have a chance to hear from the people stuck picking up the tab as seniors are given a chance to tell their stories of how the new Pension Tax will impact their lives and how they feel about being treated so unfairly.
[Photo credit: Anne C. Savage, special to Eclectablog]
