Dear Stakeholders of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR):

As we approach the end of the summer, I am grateful for the support and efforts of our ongoing partners around the state. Every single day we are reminded of the power of collaboration and the need to work together to address civil and human rights issues. To that end, I would like to highlight an excellent example.

By now, everyone should know that we held a Civil Rights Summit in June. If you missed that occasion, you can still read the brief Summit summary or watch video of the full event. As the second such statewide conference in a row, I am amazed at the number of organizations that expressed interest in planning, presenting, or attending.  

I would also like to take this time to send an extra thank you to the sponsors of the Civil Rights Summit listed below. Each of these partners saw the vision of the event and decided to provide funding. While financial support is not the only way to support civil rights, I certainly appreciate their efforts. 

Since the Summit, we have been hard at work building on its success. In this issue of our MI Civil Rights newsletter, you'll find plenty of new opportunities to get involved. We hope you will register and join us!

Sincerely,

John E. Johnson, Jr., J.D.

Executive Director

Michigan Department of Civil Rights

(Photo of Executive Director Johnson)

Mount Clemens

Date: August 17, 2023

Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Location:
Mount Clemens Library
150 Cass Ave
Mount Clemens, MI 48043

Grand Rapids

Date: August 30, 2023

Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Location:
Migrant Legal Aid
104 Fuller Avenue, N.E.,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Both sessions are free and open to the public. Learn the basics of your rights and responsibilities under state and federal civil rights law!

Topics include:

• Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act
• Persons With Disabilities Civil Rights Act
• How to file a complaint

Council for Government and Education on Equity and Inclusion to Meet Virtually on September 20

Date: September 20, 2023

Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: Virtual (See Link Below)

The next meeting of the Council for Government and Education on Equity and Inclusion will take place virtually on September 20, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The main topic of the event is the Resource Guide to Developing a School Equity Plan, which was designed as a template to operationalize equity in Michigan’s K-12 education system. Participants will also discuss ongoing efforts to strengthen the work of DEI in our state.

MDCR invites representatives from local units of government, school districts, and institutions of higher education to participate in these opportunities. If you plan to attend the meeting for the first time and have any questions, please contact MDCR's DEI Director Alfredo Hernandez-Corsen hernandeza3@michigan.gov. 

Council for Government and Education on Equity and Inclusion meetings primarily aim to provide a networking and information sharing venue for DEI challenges, strategies, barriers, and best practices in Michigan. Our goal is to address the root cause of social disparities and assess programs to create and sustain equitable access and opportunities.

Virtual Attendance Via Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84460074589?pwd=dVdTMGtMSUgvU3loRG4rNi9lREpWQT09

Meeting ID: 844 6007 4589

Passcode: zuSt65

(Image is of a diverse group of cartoon people assembling a large puzzle)

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission met on July 24 in Marquette. During the meeting, the Commission took aim at hate crimes and passed a resolution calling for direct executive and legislative action to “deter, prohibit and where necessary criminally penalize” hate crimes and acts of desecration.

Read the resolution: 

Resolution in Support of Executive and Legislative Efforts to Address Hate Crimes and Acts of Desecration

The Commission also issued a proclamation recognizing the 33rd anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Read the ADA anniversary proclamation:

Proclamation in Recognition of ADA 33rd Anniversary

WMU-Cooley Law School Hosts Civil Rights Presentation 

WMU-Cooley Law School hosted civil rights activist Dr. Jerome Reide for the law school’s Social Justice Lunch Hour on June 30. Reide, who serves as the legislative liaison for MDCR, spoke about a variety of topics, including the need for students to become involved in their community and make society a better place. 

(Image is of Jerome Reide standing before a podium)

Michigan Voting Rights Act Bill Introduced

Sponsored by MI Senators Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) and Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield), the bill was created with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. 

According to a June 22 press release by Senator Chang, the act would do four things:

1. Prohibit voter denial, dilution, and/or suppression.
2. Require and expand the jurisdictions that must translate election-related information into languages other than English, to ensure that language minority groups in our state have an equal opportunity to participate in the voting process.
3. Enhance and clarify protections for voters with disabilities or who otherwise need assistance to vote.
4. Prohibit intimidation, coercion, and deceptive practices of government and private actors with the intent or results in protected classes not participating in the election. The action can be before, during, or after the election.

(Image is of a historical banner with text: "Get a piece of the action. Register to Vote.) 

Promote the Vote Signed Into Law

In November 2022, Ballot Proposal 22-2 “Promote the Vote” was overwhelmingly passed by the people of Michigan to make it easier to vote in a secure way, encouraging as many people as possible to make their voices heard on the ballot. Prop 2 proposed to amend the state constitution to add election provisions.

On July 18, 2023, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed bipartisan legislation that codified Prop 2 and provided a variety of means by which to reach that goal.

The below chart depicts the recent voting rights bills that have been enacted to further the Prop 2 initiative.