Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Demonstration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge commissioners to correct senator's statements about "No Kings Day" march
Summary
Several Monroe residents and organizers told commissioners the Oct. 18 "No Kings Day" march was peaceful, permitted and coordinated with police and asked the board to note and correct state senator Joe Ballino's remarks. Organizers provided a letter for the state senate record and asked for an apology to local organizers.
At the board's first public comment period, organized demonstrators and residents disputed public statements made on the Michigan Senate floor about a local Oct. 18 demonstration. Darcy Piedmont (speaker 13) said the Stronger Together Huddle of Monroe submitted a letter to state senate leadership to correct statements by Senator Joe Ballino that organizers say mischaracterized the event.
Piedmont read the letter into the record and said the parade permit was approved by city public safety officials, participants stayed on sidewalks and used crosswalks, and police coordinated safety plans in advance. "Contrary to Senator Ballino's claims, there were no shirts worn by nuns that said 86 47," Piedmont said, calling the senator's assertions "demonstrably false" and citing video evidence. June Coyne (speaker 14) and Mary Streevel (speaker 15) echoed that the march of more than 600 people was peaceful and praised Monroe City Police for coordination.
Speakers asked the commission to publicly correct the record and, in one suggestion, offer an apology to local organizers. Commissioners acknowledged the comments and entered the letter and statements into the meeting record; no formal county action was taken during this meeting.
