FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
October 8, 2020
Contact: Sam Inglot, 616-916-0574, sam@progressmichigan.org
Progress Michigan Statement on Thwarted Plot Against Governor
MICHIGAN — Today, Progress Michigan Executive Director Lonnie Scott issued the following statement in response to news of a right-wing domestic terrorist plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer:
“Leadership gets set from the top. There’s no question that the prolonged, ill-natured effort by Republicans to strip away the governor’s power that kept Michiganders safe during the coronavirus pandemic has created a toxic and dangerous environment. Elected officials like Mike Shirkey stood silent as armed men loomed over legislative chambers and flaunted signs calling for violence against the Governor. They’ve allowed dangerous rhetoric to fly freely and even uttered the words themselves.
“Sen. Shirkey was mentioned by the New Yorker on August 17, 2020, ‘Gesturing at the armed men around the square, Shirkey concluded ‘That’s when these groups need to stand up and test the assertion of authority by the government. We need you now more than ever.’
“And now, the news that the FBI uncovered a plot to commit a coup against the democratically elected governor makes clear that Republicans have enabled a culture of reckless violence. We need immediate steps enacted to prevent firearms from being carried on the Capitol grounds. The words and actions of Republicans have created tangible threats against our elected officials and we can no longer trust Republican leadership to act in the best interest of all.”
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