LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) — Another protest is scheduled tomorrow in Lansing. It has some who work in the capitol concerned.
They have seen more and more protesters carrying weapons to make a point - and they don’t want violence.
They are calling it Judgement Day. The Michigan United for Liberty group is calling on people angry about the stay at home order and COVID-19 crisis restrictions to protest in Lansing Thursday, even as Facebook, it appears, removed their page.
Facebook is taking a stance against some posts that promote anti-stay-at home order gatherings.
Attorney General Dana Nessel has a message for protesters planning to attend.
“We are going to have a coordinated effort to ensure people’s safety tomorrow,” she says.
Nessel said she is concerned that the presence of heavily armed protesters creates a potential for problems. She said under Michigan Law you can open carry a firearm, but you do so with the intention to create fear.
“That is brandishing a weapon. Those are things you cannot do and they are different than regular open carry,” says an Michigan State Police spokesperson.
“I think Dana Nessel doesn’t like people with guns,” says. Representative Matt Maddock, who has supported past protests and says the message needs to be heard for the economy.
“There’s a lot of things that are hurting people right now. People are losing their businesses, Can’t feed their families. They are angry, frustrated, at their wits end,” he says.
Nessel warns that she believes some groups have hijacked the cause.
“During the course of this pandemic we have seen a lot of insurgency of anti-government activity. folks that are affiliated with militia groups and white supremacy groups,” she says. “I am very concerned about that.”
I reached out to Michigan United for Liberty. it released a statement calling on everyone to obey the law while voicing their opinions.
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