FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan

August 12, 2019

Contact: Sam Inglot, 616-916-0574, sam@progressmichigan.org

Progress Michigan Calls for Civil Rights Director’s Resignation

Petition launched calling for Arbulu to resign or be removed

MICHIGAN — In the wake of reports showing sexist and inappropriate behavior, Progress Michigan is calling on Michigan Department of Civil Rights Director Augustin Arbulu to resign immediately.

“Director Arbulu needs to do the right thing and step aside as soon as possible. His comments and conduct are unacceptable by any standard, but that’s especially true for someone in a position that is charged with protecting the civil rights of Michiganders,” said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. “The position Arbulu holds is extremely important and his conduct has destroyed his credibility on civil rights issues.”

Progress Michigan also launched a petition today echoing their calls for action on Arbulu. The petition states: 

“The MDCR exists to protect Michigan’s marginalized communities, including women, from discrimination. After reading the comments Augustin Arbulu made, we no longer feel confident in his ability to do that job. Arbulu should have resigned as soon as these comments became public — and if he refuses to do so, the commissioners should fire him.”

“Sexism and discrimination are very real problems that hurt people across this state every day,” Scott continued. “We need someone at the helm of the MDCR that will combat this issue, not add to it.”

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