Citizens From Across Michigan March in Lansing and Deliver 226,637 Voter Signatures To Repeal Emergency Manager "Dictator" Law

People have followed the law and put their faith in our democracy to ensure everyone in Michigan gets a voice on November 6, 2012

LANSING, Mich., Feb. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Citizens in the Stand Up for Democracy Coalition have delivered 226,637 voter signatures in an effort to repeal Public Act 4 which is commonly known as the emergency manager "dictator" law.

"People have followed the law and put their faith in our democracy to ensure everyone in Michigan gets a voice on November 6, 2012," said Herb Sanders, director of the coalition. "Now we must remain vigilant to make sure that will of people, as indicated by each of the 226,637 signatures on the petitions, is not usurped by anti-democratic forces intent on making sure the issue never makes it to the ballot."

Public Act 4, the law that created emergency managers, fundamentally threatens democracy and local rights because it is a naked power grab by politicians. The law must be repealed to preserve democracy.

All of the signatures were collected by volunteers who worked in every county in the state. Volunteers have also been working diligently to check the turned in petitions and cross check the signatures against the public voter records.

"People from all walks of life have volunteered their time and talent to stand up for democracy," said Al Garrett, President of AFSCME Council 25, one of the partners in the coalition. "They have worked in rain and sun, day and night to circulate, collect and check signatures.  These voters represent the heart and soul of our republic.  Their work has gone a long way to restore democracy to every citizen in our state.  In November, their voices will be heard at the poll as people continue to stand up for democracy and repeal this onerous, unfair, anti-democratic law."

In June volunteers in Ann Arbor, Benton Harbor, Detroit, Flint, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Marquette, Monroe, Pontiac, Petoskey, Traverse City and Ypsilanti launched a petition drive and circulated 30,000 repeal petitions.  70,000 petitions have been in circulation since then.  Only 161,304 valid voter signatures are needed to place the issue on the ballot in November 2012.  When the signatures are validated, PA 4 is suspended until the general election.

On February 29 buses departed from Detroit and Flint for Lansing where hundreds of people gathered at Central United Methodist Church, 215 North Capital.  They marched and hand delivered the 226,637 petitions to the secretary of state office in the Richard H. Austin building, 430 Allegan St. For more information go to www.standup4democracy.com or call 1-866-306-5168 to volunteer.   

SOURCE Stand Up for Democracy