Michigan’s Capitol looks more like a military compound today as hundreds of State Police officers patrol in and around the building despite the fact that there’s not a protester in sight.
It not only shows the continued contempt Republicans have for Michigan’s public as they try to keep them away from the Capitol as they finish jamming through their damaging “Right to Work” legislation, but it makes one wonder just how much money the state is spending on this massive police presence while they do it?
My advice for the thousands of you coming to the Capitol tomorrow: Be here. Be loud. Be safe.
Below is a sample of the photos we were able to gather this morning (click to enlarge):
This scene happened on the floor of the Michigan Senate this morning as the people of Michigan came by the thousands to speak out against Republican attempts to pass disastrous “Right to Work” legislation that would lower wages and reduce benefits.
Additionally, Republicans have called in countless State Police officers again today to guard their offices and question the public as they enter the Capitol to protest the Republican agenda:
Frankly, if you have to bring in a massive police presence in order to conduct business at the State Capitol, it might be time for Republicans to rethink what they’re doing.
UPDATE 12:53pm:
Police have begun pepper spraying and removing protesters from the Capitol!
State Police cars line the walkway outside Michigan's Capitol
Republicans may not have introduced legislation to turn Michigan into a “Right to Work” state just yet, but they sure seemed awfully nervous about something today.
Michigan’s Capitol was on a virtual lockdown throughout the day with dozens of State Police cars parked nearby and an even greater number of uniformed officers questioning people as they entered and conducted business inside the building.
They were there on orders to protect lawmakers from protesters converging on the Capitol to rally against the Republicans’ potential push to make Michigan a Right to Work state. The one slight problem with that, of course, is that there was no protest at the capitol today.
There have been countless rallies at the Capitol over the years that have given the public the opportunity to peacefully assemble and voice their concerns with issues being discussed at their Capitol, but none in recent memory have needed a police presence nearly this large. If Republicans are suddenly so worried about the public’s reaction to advancing Right to Work legislation, it makes you wonder why they are even considering it.
It’s unclear as of today when, or if, the Republicans will actually try to pass Right to Work legislation, but it’s become very clear that they’ll be trying to keep the public as far away as possible if they do. Even if they have to lockdown the State Capitol again to do it.
A State Police Officer patrols the front entrance to Michigan's Capitol
Police cars outside of the Capitol
State Police protect the Capitol Rotunda from a nonexistant protest