Some of 3,000 marchers who converged on Gov. Rick Snyder's house on Dr. MLK Day, Jan 16, 2012
By Congressman John Conyers, Jr.
Conyers to Hold Forum on Michigan’s Emergency Manager Law
(DETROIT) – House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-M14) will host a Democratic Judiciary forum concerning the legal implications of the Emergency Manager Law. The forum will start at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February, 21, 2012 and will be held at Soul Harvest Ministries in Highland Park.
Currently, there are six emergency managers in place under the Michigan Emergency Law (Benton Harbor, Ecorse, Flint, Pontiac, Detroit Public Schools, Highland Park School District) and a review for an appointment is ongoing with respect to the cities of Detroit and Muskegon Heights.
Due to the controversial nature of the law, several lawsuits have been brought challenging its constitutionality, and a petition drive is pending which would suspend the law subject to a statewide referendum in November.
Congressman Conyers addresses rally against PA 4 Jan. 2, with City Council members JoAnn Watson, Kwame Kenyatta and Brenda Jones to his right
At the same time, other states such as Indiana are considering adopting emergency manager laws similar to Michigan’s statute. This forum will consider a range of issues, including the EM law’s possible impact on voting rights, representative form of government, and the right to contract; as well as the legality and appropriateness of effort in Lansing to reinstate the law notwithstanding the referendum process. Witnesses will include preeminent constitutional, voting rights, and bankruptcy legal experts as well as representatives of impacted communities, safety officials, and unions.
In December, Representative Conyers wrote the U.S. Department of Justice to ask the Attorney General to review the law’s constitutionality. That same month, Representative Conyers along with Representatives Clarke and Peters, 55 State Legislators (9 State Senators and 46 State Representatives) and 8 Detroit City Council Members, wrote a letter requesting a meeting with Governor Snyder to discuss the Emergency Manager Law.
Soul Harvest Mnistries, Highland Park
WHAT: Forum to Discuss the Legal Implications of Michigan’s Emergency Manager Law
WHERE: Soul Harvest Ministries 16300 Woodward Highland Park, MI, 48288
WHEN: Tuesday, February 21, 2012. 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
WHO: Participants
- The Honorable John Conyers, Jr , Michigan’s 14th Congressional District and Ranking Member House Judiciary Committee
- The Honorable Hansen Clarke, Michigan’s 13th Congressional District
- The Honorable Gary Peters, Michigan’s 9th Congressional District
- The Honorable Bert Johnson, Michigan’s 2nd Senate District
- The Honorable John Olumba, Michigan’s 5th House District
- The Honorable Joanne Watson, Detroit City Council
*Other participants to be added*
Brandon Jessup, PA 4 referendum initiator, with petition at PA 4 rally Jan. 2
Panelists
- The Honorable Fred Durhal, Jr., Michigan’s 6th House District and Chairperson Michigan Legislative Black Caucus
- The Honorable Thomas Stallworth, Michigan’s 8th House District
- The Honorable DeAndre Windom, Mayor, Highland Park, Michigan
- Professor Kenneth N. Klee, UCLA School of Law
- Professor Jocelyn Benson, Wayne State University Law School
- Al Garrett, President, Council 25, AFSCME
- Officer Joe Duncan, President, Detroit Police Officers Association
- John Philo. Legal Director, Sugar Law Center
- Brandon Jessup, Chairman, Michigan Forward
*Other panelists to be added*
Contact: Matthew Morgan – 202-226-5543 DaVonne Darby – 313-961-5670
Visited site 3/4/12 and it was very likeable and informative. Enjoyed the tribute to Whitney very much. Will share site addresss with others! Lily of Cincinnati!