I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]
An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.
Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.
Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.
A group of residents who have come together in protest of the Holland City Council’s 5-4 rejection of a human rights ordinance say they will not pursue the option of putting the ordinance up for a public vote.
Instead, supporters say they will focus on the five council members who voted against the ordinance and attempt to sway one of them into changing their mind, reports Grand Rapids WZZM television.
In a press conference on Independence Day, pastor Bill Freeman talked to the media:
“I announced that I was going to start a petition drive and ask the voters of Holland to approve a gay rights ordinance. After much deliberation, I have decided not to do that, because I don’t think you ask for the majority to vote for the rights of the minority,” said Freeman.
The proposed ordinance would have prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Michigan’s civil rights act, the Elliot Larsen Act, does not include those two groups and as a result, unless a person lives and works in a municipality where a local ordinance prohibits discrimination, a person can be fired for being gay or for not conforming to expected gender roles or for being transgender.
After the vote happened a group formed on Facebook called “Until Love is =.” That group has called for a boycott of Holland businesses and has begun the process of identifying supportive businesses. Businesses that support the ordinance have been asked to post a sign designed by the group in their windows or other conspicuous places. The group has over 2,500 members.
Do you know where to vote on Election Day? Do you know what to bring with you? Get comprehensive voter information for your state here.
Sign up for our email newsletter