FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
February 22, 2018
Contact: Sam Inglot, 616-916-0574, sam@progressmichigan.org
House Passage of English Language Bill Nothing but Racist Dog-Whistle
MICHIGAN — Progress Michigan released the following statement regarding the passage of HB 4053, a bill that unnecessarily makes English Michigan’s official language.
“Republicans in the legislature must have some polling on how to win over voters who have an unwarranted fear of immigrants or people who don’t speak English as their first language because there’s no other reason you’d prioritize this legislation,” said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. “This bill is nothing but yet another racist and xenophobic dog-whistle from the legislature that seeks to divide rather than unify. The fact this legislation was even considered when there are many pressing issues like expanding access to voting, earned paid sick time, FOIA reform, or finally fixing the damn roads shows how wrong the priorities are in the GOP-controlled legislature.”
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