Trayvon Martin verdict prompts residents to speak out at Ann Arbor City Council meeting
The verdict that declared George Zimmerman not guilty in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin sparked a small demonstration inside Ann Arbor's city hall Monday night.
Three people — joined by a handful of other supporters — spoke out before City Council, asking council members to pass a resolution expressing "revulsion" over what happened to the Florida teenager and the verdict handed down by a jury over the weekend.
They also asked that City Council take formal action to urge state lawmakers to repeal Michigan's "stand your ground" self-defense law that has some similarities to Florida's law.
Lefiest Galimore, flanked by a group of supporters, speaks out against Michigan's "stand your ground" law at Monday's Ann Arbor City Council meeting.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
"Anybody in this room, as we walk out of here, can see me as a threat simply because I am an African American male and decide that I pose a danger to them, and can cause me great bodily harm — even though I can be completely innocent of wrongdoing whatsoever," he said.
Even though the Michigan version of "stand your ground" is not as harsh as Florida's version, Galimore believes it still allows too much room for interpretation. He said he'd hate to see what happened to Martin happen to another young man in Ann Arbor.
One of the supporters in the group, Mozhgan Savabieasfahani, held up a sign that read: "Justice for Trayvon. Justice for the People"
Three council members — Mike Anglin, D-5th Ward; Sumi Kailasapathy, D-1st Ward; and Chuck Warpehoski, D-5th Ward — stated publicly Monday night that they'd work on a resolution addressing the issues raised by those who spoke out about the Trayvon Martin case.
Kailasapathy said she has two sons and when they saw the news that Zimmerman was acquitted, they asked why he wasn't guilty.
"I didn't know what to say," she said. "For them it was just unbelievable."
Warpehoski recalled many years ago the City Council was considering local gun regulations, but that ended up coming to a halt when the state decided local governments couldn't have more stringent gun regulations than the state. But the city still could pass a resolution encouraging the state to repeal the "stand your ground" law, and he thinks that could be helpful.
"I hope that soon ... we may have the ability to have full local control to set strong and smart guns laws here in our community," he said.
Council Member Chuck Warpehoski, D-5th Ward, said the city could pass a resolution encouraging the state to repeal Michigan's "stand your ground" law.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com file photo
"The City Council should say black life is worth something, and this nation ought to say the same thing," he told council members.
The Rev. Jeffery Harrold of New Beginnings Community Church said Martin's death might have occurred in Florida, "but there is nothing to say that could not happen here in our own community."
Given the way blacks have been portrayed in the media and throughout history, he said, "it is all too easy for a young black man to be seen as threatening."
Harrold urged council to join those encouraging U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to seriously consider federal civil rights charges against Zimmerman for the death of Martin.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
Alan Goldsmith
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 9:17 p.m.
Let's be sure to send a card of thanks to Governor Granholm, safe and sound in California, and the other cowardly Democrats (and of course, right wing nutjob Republicans) who signed and passed Michigan's version of the Stand Your Ground law that will liked lead to something similar happening in our state in the near future. That is where the anger and wrath should be directed--those of both parties here at home who were afraid of the gun lobby and caved on this here in the Great Lakes state. I could find a list of Democrats who voted for this law but what's the point seven years later. They'd do it again tomorrow if a new vote was taken in Lansing.
Gerry
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 8:29 p.m.
The jury did its best to follow the law- but the law is extremely flawed. Under FL's law, I could punch someone, and when they punched me back, I would be justified in shooting them if I legitimately feared for my life. Let's take our outrage beyond this case. Let's get rid of stand-your-ground in Florida, Michigan, and everywhere else it exists. Let's get rid of the handguns, assault weapons, and most of all, the culture of paranoia and hatred that so often accompanies them.
hail2thevict0r
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 9:24 p.m.
usual suspect & billy - actually there is something to Gerry's comment. ------- Florida's aggressor statute: The justification described in the preceding sections of this chapter is not available to a person who: (1)?Is attempting to commit, committing, or escaping after the commission of, a forcible felony; or (2)?Initially provokes the use of force against himself or herself, unless: (a)?Such force is so great that the person reasonably believes that he or she is in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm and that he or she has exhausted every reasonable means to escape such danger other than the use of force which is likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the assailant; or (b)?In good faith, the person withdraws from physical contact with the assailant and indicates clearly to the assailant that he or she desires to withdraw and terminate the use of force, but the assailant continues or resumes the use of force. ------- The problem being, being punched would not be considered a reasonable fear for your life or great bodily harm. They'd have to act FAR beyond that. And you'd have to prove that you had no other option. The burden of proof is MUCH greater if you're the aggressor. So all of you are kind of all right and wrong.
Billy
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 9:05 p.m.
"Under FL's law, I could punch someone, and when they punched me back, I would be justified in shooting them if I legitimately feared for my life." Incorrect. You would be the aggressor by punching them first. Your reasoning is completely flawed.
Usual Suspect
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 8:52 p.m.
"Under FL's law, I could punch someone, and when they punched me back, I would be justified in shooting them if I legitimately feared for my life." No.
Tano
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 8:27 p.m.
If Trayvon Martin had been armed, I wonder how many of those who approve of the verdict would have supported him, had he used his weapon to kill the person who was following him around in the middle of the night and making him fearful.
hail2thevict0r
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 9:18 p.m.
Being followed by someone is not legal justification to use deadly force against them. So Treyvon would have gone to jail in that scenario. Heck, if Zimmerman showed no signs of injury, he'd probably be in jail right now.
Usual Suspect
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 8:53 p.m.
That would be against the law.
stunhsif
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 8:06 p.m.
Mr. Galimore has a much greater chance of being killed by a black person than a white person, statistics do not lie. Chicago is a killing field for young black me at this moment in time but no one wants to talk about that. During the period of 2003-2011 blacks were the victims of 75% of 4,265 murders in Chicago. And blacks were also the offenders in 75% of those murders. Why all the attention to this one incident, one where the defendant was found not guilty?
walker101
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 9:24 p.m.
They don't want to hear the truth, reality to them is just a myth.
Halter
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:38 p.m.
Why does out council permit such lunacy ? Protest all you want -- out on the street, away from business.
hail2thevict0r
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 6:47 p.m.
What I don't get is why these people are brining up stand your ground? They didn't use SYG in the Treyvon Martin case. They used simple self defense. That doesn't mean that you can just shoot someone for being black, as this protestor claims. There has to be a reasonable threat to your life.
walker101
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 9:22 p.m.
The'll be using that defense when it goes to civil court if does come up, the defense team already knew that they pretty much would win the case, it was political and now the DOJ will not attempt to pursue because they know they can't win. They're only trying to appease those that think they can change the law by protesting, it's a waste of time.
msrock1954
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 6:37 p.m.
I expect nothing less than this kind of reaction from The People's Republic of A2. This issue was never about race or stand your ground, but was about self defense. People are going to see what they want to see. Why not direct this concern to the battlegrounds of our inner cities, where death occurs everyday! Besides GZ wasn't isn't even white, but now we have white Hispanics?
cibachrome
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 6:21 p.m.
Even in his day (1914), Julian Carleton received fare treatment and justice. Now go and compare. Why is there now expectation of inverse justice and who has allowed all this to happen ???
jcj
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 6:17 p.m.
Zimmerman used poor judgement by getting out of his vehicle. But Martin had 4 min to go about 100yds to his house and choose to come back and confront Zimmerman. One of the "prosecution witnesses " said Martin was shot in the back. Is there anyone that still believes that scenario? Talk about a bunch of sheep following the leader off the deep end.
Technojunkie
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 6:15 p.m.
"Stand your ground" only applies when there is the possibility of retreat. Zimmerman was trapped under Martin on the sidewalk with no chance of escape and getting his head smashed against concrete besides. I'd appreciate clarification on what the politically correct response would be once you're in that situation. If your goal is to make citizens into helpless sheep who are completely dependent on the government for their security I can see why you'd want to destroy "Stand your ground", the Second Amendment, etc.
Usual Suspect
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 8:55 p.m.
"The police told Zimmerman to not follow Martin" No, they didn't. The 911 operator did. 911 is not law enforcement.
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:54 p.m.
How did Zimmerman become trapped under Martin? Zimmerman got out of his car and initated a confrontation, knowing that he had a gun as a back up. What crime had Martin committed to justify that confrontation and detainment?
KMHall
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:33 p.m.
The police told Zimmerman to not follow Martin. Z never needed to get out of his car but to simply report someone he thought might be suspicious and let the police take over. Guess he was packing heat and needed to be a real man.
zip the cat
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:59 p.m.
Under fla. laws on the books he,zimmerman was well within the law to use whatever force he deemed appropriate to stop the attack.PERIOD The same law is on the books in Michigan. Its called "stand your ground"
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:52 p.m.
Was Martin "well within the law to use whatever force he deemed appropriate to stop the attack. PERIOD" by Zimmerman? What right or basis did Zimmerman have to detain Martin?
KMHall
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:42 p.m.
If a 911 police dispatcher telle me to stop following someone and I continue to follow that person, then in what sense am I "standing my ground" when the person turns on me?
Jake C
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:33 p.m.
And if Trayvon Martin felt he was threatened by an armed vigilante approaching him in the dark, would he also have been within his right to use whatever force he deemed appropriate?
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 6:33 p.m.
Same law? We copied it word for word? or does it just have the same name? Is everybody that has the same name identical?
1982 Brew Crew
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:50 p.m.
Trayvon Martin's death was tragic. No one but Zimmerman knows, however, whether Martin attacked Zimmerman. If so, Zimmerman was clearly within his rights to defend himself with lethal force. This would be true almost anywhere, and certainly in any state with a "stand your ground" law. Also tragic is the fact that since Hispanic Zimmerman killed black Martin, about 10,000 other black men have been murdered...by other black men. See site below. Shall we reserve some of our outrage for these "other" 10,000 murder victims, even if they were were killed by a person of the same race? Why does it outrage people so much more when the victim is a different race than the accused? http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012/04/09/race-wars-part-1-the-shocking-data-on-black-on-black-crime/
cinnabar7071
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 9:04 p.m.
Zimmerman never detained Martin, stop lying!
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:50 p.m.
Do you believe Zimmerman had the right, or a legal basis, to detain Martin? If so, on what basis? Recall that 9-11 told him not to confront. Do you believe Martin had the right to resist being unlawfully detained? Do you believe Zimmerman had the right to shoot Martin for resisting that detainment? If so, on what basis?
Colorado Sun
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:47 p.m.
Various persons including Pres. Obama has tried to politicize this tragedy for political gain. Two persons engaged in immature confrontational conduct tangled and someone died. No race issues involved here at all. Facts on Zimmerman: He has a grandfather that is part black. He has a mother who is Peruvian. He took a black girl to his high school prom. He weighed 185 lbs at the time of his arrest and Trayvon 158 lbs when he died - not 80lb differential as some media sources reported. He was substantially shorter than Trayvon. If Eric Holder brings federal civil rights charges, he will lose. Expect a wrongful death suit by Trayvon's parents against Zimmerman and others.
sayzme
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:52 p.m.
Zimmerman is/was also on mood altering drugs, specifically adderall. He shouldn't even have that gun! http://newsone.com/2016433/ george-zimmerman-drugs/
ypsibeer
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:09 p.m.
Facts on Zimmerman: In 2005, Zimmerman was arrested and charged with "resisting officer with violence" and "battery of law enforcement officer. Zimmerman's ex-fiance, Veronica Zuazo, filed a civil motion for a restraining order, alleging domestic violence. 2006, Zimmerman was charged with speeding. Funny how that stuff did not seem to come up, and he still gets to keep his gun. http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/11808013-george-zimmermans-criminal-records-revealed
jjc155
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 6:28 p.m.
Actually doesn't fla law provide immunity from civil suit when acquitted by a jury.
DW
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 6:05 p.m.
Florida law also says if Martin family files a wrongful death suit and looses, they have to pay for Zimmermans legal fee's. BAM!
Outlaw
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:41 p.m.
The great thing is with the 'Stand your ground law" Stevie Wonder just announced that in his disgust of the verdict he will not perform in a state that recognizes that law. YAHOOO YAHOOO Stevie won't be coming to Michigan !!!! It's worth having that law just for that reason.
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:46 p.m.
No you dint.
jcj
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 6:21 p.m.
I guess he has a sixth sense the rest of us don't have that helped him see what happened!
Greggy_D
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:33 p.m.
The Zimmerman case had nothing to do with Florida's Stand Your Ground law. It was strictly related to self defense, which is different.
Tano
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 8:23 p.m.
That is patently false. The judge specifically instructed the jury using the language of the SYG law, that Zimmerman had no obligation to do anything to avoid the confrontation, and he could not be held liable for the use of deadly force if he felt threatened.
Billy
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:32 p.m.
Three people — joined by a handful of other supporters — spoke out before City Council, asking council members to pass a resolution expressing "revulsion" over what happened to the Florida teenager and the verdict handed down by a jury over the weekend. Um....entitled much? You don't represent me...nor do I believe you represent even CLOSE to the majority of my fellow citizens. Please do not attend any other city council meetings under the guise of "representing the people" as you do not.
beardown
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:30 p.m.
And how again does this help balance the budget or assist in the rebuilding of the infrastructure? I am in agreement with the protesters, but this is not the right venue.
antikvetch
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:12 p.m.
Is the AA School Board gonna pass a resolution on this issue, too?
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:17 p.m.
Hah. They'll probably suspend any discussion of the critical budget to do it, and then have the food catered.
rm1
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:11 p.m.
Someone said: "Zimmerman never identified Martin as black until he was asked." It is pretty hard to imagine Zimmerman following a white teenager (even one in a hoodie), and reporting him to the police operator, and saying "They always get away" about him. See also: http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/press-statement-from-the-southern-poverty-law-center-in-response-to-verdict-in-sta
hail2thevict0r
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:16 p.m.
If a guy was walking around my neighborhood in a hoodie while it was poring rain outside and looking into homes, I would call the police. That is not normal behavior.
Usual Suspect
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:23 p.m.
Sure, if a white guy is going through yards at night instead of walking down the sidewalk.
RUKiddingMe
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:15 p.m.
I have no problem imagining that. I've said similar things to cops about jerk college kids and punks running around spraypainting or paintballing out of moving cars or throwing rocks or partying outdoors all night, etc. Most of them I had no idea what their race was, I just could see that they were disrepectful poorly-brought-up punks.
M.Haney
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:08 p.m.
One would hope that Sumi Kailasapathy would simply explain to her children (and any others) that a jury of Zimmerman's peers found him not guilty. This is the basis of American justice. The court of public opinion should ever be the basis for determining quilt or innocence. I would be more concerned as to why this person who was elected to the City Council was unable to answer this very simple question regarding the American Judicial system. It sounds as if she has predetermined Mr. Zimmerman to be guilty regardless of the jury finding him not guilty. I hope she never serves on a jury and is confused by the facts of the case.
Hot Sam
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 9 p.m.
Well said M....
DW
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:12 p.m.
These people always bring up "the children" when nothing else works. The poor children. Now that's funny, I don't care who ya are.
Superior Twp voter
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:07 p.m.
Murders The United States is 3rd in murders throughout the World. But if you take out Chicago, Detroit, Washington D.C. and New Orleans, the United States is 4th from the bottom for murders. These 4 cities also have the toughest gun control laws in the United States, and are all controlled by Democrats. Does this tell you anything?
Jonathan Blutarsky
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:30 p.m.
Also the bureau of justice statistics proves your "facts" to be false. http://www.bjs.gov
beardown
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:28 p.m.
Detroit has gun control laws outside of filling out a couple of forms and making a trip to the sheriff? True, you can't buy one at 7/11, but it's still pretty darn easy to get on in Michigan. And since we are living in fantasy land where we can tweak the facts to fit our arguments, if you take out 4 or 5 neighborhoods in Chicago, areas that are ironically (not really) some of the highest areas of poverty and lowest quality of education, there actually is very little gun crime in Chicago. Does that tell you anything?
Jonathan Blutarsky
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:23 p.m.
Yes - Your statement tells me you do not understand the concept that correlation does not imply causation. Science 101.
you can't handle the truth
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:05 p.m.
Kailasapathy said she has two sons and when they saw the news that Zimmerman was acquitted, they asked why he wasn't guilty. "I didn't know what to say," she said. "For them it was just unbelievable." This is an easy answer.
Westfringe
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:05 p.m.
What a circus. Trayvon wasn't shot because he was black, he was shot because Zimmerman (a latino) was an violent moron. Not to mention it didn't even involve the SYG law! Stop all of the race-baiting, it serves only to divide us.
towncryer
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:59 p.m.
Rev. Harrold, I could take your complaint/concern "Given the way blacks have been portrayed in the media" more serious if I didn't see young black men making lots and lots of money portraying a threatening lifestyle. I think it's fine to have discussions about this verdict, but not at AA City Council meetings---waste of time and no elected official is going to have authentic discussions while still in office.
grye
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:52 p.m.
There is a presumption that the Zimmerman case was racially motivated based upon select sections played from the 911 recordings. Zimmerman never identified Martin as black until he was asked. And why complain to the city council. Are they going to solve the "problem"?
you can't handle the truth
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:50 p.m.
Thank God that Ann Arbor City Council only has power over these 28 or whatever square miles.
Superior Twp voter
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:50 p.m.
Utterly ridiculous that this even came up at a City Council meeting, and even moreso that three council members would waste their time on it.
Top Cat
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:22 p.m.
The grand standing and sense of outrage was to be expected. But 6 jurors, who heard everything, quickly concluded that the case against Zimmerman was non-existent. The only beneficiaries of the continued churning on this will be Remington and Smith & Wesson.
Usual Suspect
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:36 p.m.
NU, the police chief wouldn't arrest Zimmerman because he said there was no case. At least one prosecutor passed on the case, saying there was nothing there. The jury said there was no case. Prosecutors across the country agree there was no case. The prosecutor revealed he knew he had no case when he asked for an alternate option of third-degree murder, lamely based on the concept of child abuse. You can choose any one of those and say it's a fluke, but it's pretty hard to do that considering all of them together.
Ricebrnr
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:25 p.m.
Nicholas, perhaps you've heard of Alan Dershowitz? Google him in relation to Angela Corey. Too many cites to type out and this way you can choose whichever source you trust more.
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:47 p.m.
The jurors say otherwise. Can you cite a source for your claim that the case against him was non-existent?
Ellis Sams
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:20 p.m.
One example of why council meetings last so long. This has nothing to do with city government or operation, the actual business of council.
mady
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:15 p.m.
Excellent point!
Jim Mulchay
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:20 p.m.
How many 17 year-olds have been killed by firearms (legal or not) in the United States since Trayvon Martin was killed? Where is the outrage over their deaths? How many 17 year-olds have died in Syria, Egypt, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya in the same time period?
John
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:15 p.m.
This case has really set a precedent that: if you are carrying a concealed weapon, you can basically take the law into your own hands. There won't be any punishment if there are no witnesses because it's he said/she said...and the other party is dead. I can't wait to see hundreds of these types of killings being justified in the near future.
walker101
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 9:11 p.m.
If you are carrying a concealed weapon, you can basically take the law into your own hands. Please do give me some factual data on this, it would be very interesting to see the results. Does that include the police forces, FBI, CIA or just the average Joe, please expound. Private citizens have been carrying concealed guns for years. Could you be referring to criminals, I would bet that we have more criminals that have concealed guns than those that comply with the law by getting a permit.
Robert E.
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 8:44 p.m.
Jjc 155 not sure exactly what your point is...and Chicago is a city not a state...gun violence may be prevalent there as it is in many large cities however this still doesnt negate the fact that states that have stand your ground laws have higher homicide rates than states that dont...
Tano
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 8:14 p.m.
Given that there was no concussion, not even a bump, merely two small lacerations, I don't think the term "bash" is quite accurate.
hail2thevict0r
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:05 p.m.
Unless you can make someone bash your head into the concrete, you can't exactly go around randomly shooting people.
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 6:29 p.m.
"gun violence is the number one cause of death for black males age 15-19." Usually perpetrated by a Hispanic male on a Black male, like this case? .... or is this not an accurate description of most gun deaths for black males?
jjc155
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:24 p.m.
Robert how do u explain Chicago then or do u just ignore it?
Robert E.
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5 p.m.
Well said John...Zimmerman needlessly baited Trayvon Martin into a totally unnecessary confrontation and then murdered the kid for trying to protect himself from a strange man stalking him in his own neighborhood...absolute insanity...gun violence is the number one cause of death for black males age 15-19...while stand your ground wasnt used in this case the law certainly emboldened Zimmerman and his zealotry...all states that have stand your ground laws have a higher homicide rate than states that don't...this insanity must stop...
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:45 p.m.
"I can't wait to see hundreds of these types of killings being justified in the near future." Don't hold your breath.
Usual Suspect
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:17 p.m.
"This case has really set a precedent that: if you are carrying a concealed weapon, you can basically take the law into your own hands." You must have this confused with some other case. That conclusion has nothing to do with this case.
Usual Suspect
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:12 p.m.
"I hope that soon ... we may have the ability to have full local control to set strong and smart guns laws here in our community," In other words, he wants to suspend the United States Constitution within the boundary of the city. Very scary. But not surprising, considering this is Ann Arbor.
hail2thevict0r
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 9:15 p.m.
I never said you Robert, I said "their attempts" - meaning, the people in the article who are protesting.
Basic Bob
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 9:08 p.m.
How much is the budget for defending themselves from federal lawsuits?
Usual Suspect
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 8:59 p.m.
Garrison.... any law that Ann Arbor City Council would come up with? I think it's safe to assume there would be Constitutional problems with it, yeah.
Robert E.
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 8:50 p.m.
And how victor, may I ask am I attempting to violate the constitution and according to who?
hail2thevict0r
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:21 p.m.
In Michigan it is. As already stated, Local governments cannot enact more gun laws than the ones on the books at a federal and state level. I have no problem with activism but I do have a problem with people telling me to move if I don't like their attempts to violate the constitution.
garrisondyer
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:15 p.m.
Geez louise, guys. A municipality can enact it's own laws within its boundaries as long as it doesn't violate the Constitution. Do you really think any law regarding guns is unconstitutional? Get real!
Robert E.
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:11 p.m.
Yeah...ya got me...I dont like the constitution...good one! Seriously though...the right for citizens to be active is preserved by the constitutition and much conservative thought bases itself on massive distortions of the constitution especially the 2nd amendment...the founding fathers were trying to avoid the exact things the NRA and other ultra conservative gun groups advocate for...
hail2thevict0r
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7 p.m.
Robert, if you don't like the constitution maybe you should move to a country not governed buy ours. Until then, states and cities cannot violate it on constantly changing public opinion.
Tim Hornton
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:50 p.m.
Good grief Robert E, its a constitutional right so a city can't take that right from you. Why don't you move to Europe for no guns. Its Utopia there... Except for the last 2 world wars killiing millions and their small cars, small houses,and high taxes.
Robert E.
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:53 p.m.
Move away then...its odd to me that people complain soooo much about the activism around here which there is a rich tradition of...yet they continue to live here...very odd when there are many many ultra conservative areas in this country to live in...
Usual Suspect
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:11 p.m.
This could be a laughed off as a joke except for the fact that City Council has a history of wasting time on subjects like this that they have no business spending time on and have no relevance to their job as a Council. I don't object to the citizens having their time at the microphone - though I would prefer that they keep the subject matter to the business of the City - but I hope Council doesn't respond to them.
Brad
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:10 p.m.
Warpehoski: "I hope that soon ... we may have the ability to have full local control to set strong and smart guns laws here in our community," Like those strong and smart pedestrian laws? No thanks.
BhavanaJagat
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:10 p.m.
WholeDude - Whole Identity: The problem is not with the Florida Law and I do not expect Michigan Law would pose any particular danger to human life. I would not like to discuss this as an issue that concerns race or racial injustice. At a fundamental level, all of us have to learn to make the distinction between human Identity and human Individuality. A human being at no point in his/her life exists with the same identity as it changes almost every day. The identity operates under the influence of Individuality and hence we get a chance to know a person as a specific individual. The challenge that we face is that of man knowing his own true or real self. Such understanding of true or real nature helps us to identify any source of threat in the external environment without any prejudice or bias.
mady
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:14 p.m.
@TimHornton....geez, don't encourage him!!!
Tim Hornton
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:52 p.m.
Enlighten us oh "wise" one.
demistify
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:08 p.m.
The Blaine Coleman who claims to oppose racial injustice is the same one whose suit to force the AATA to carry his antisemitic placard on its buses was recently tossed out.
Colorado Sun
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:22 p.m.
The ACLU lawsuit remains pending for trial. The preliminary injunction against the AATA was granted. The only thing favorable to the AATA is that no ad will appear on city buses prior to trial. The ACLU will be bringing a motion to award attorney fees against the AATA based on the preliminary injunction that struck down the prior ad guidelines as unconstitutional. This could run into several hundred thousand dollars. The AATA has a $50,000 legal cost deductilble it is liable for. The AATA is mum on the leal fees it has incurred. Coleman already has beat the AATA.
beardown
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:09 p.m.
Well I guess it is better that he was just targeting a whole country and group of people instead of a race. That makes it all better.
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:43 p.m.
Last I checked, Israel was a county. Not a race. Last I read, Coleman was targetting a country. Not a race.