Reading this article was difficult and honestly just hurt my soul - because I know it speaks truth and it’s a damning statement about the racism and violence we allow to thrive here in Michigan and across the country.

🧵Stay with me - 1/ https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/08/us/militias-republicans-michigan.html?smid=tw-share
‘Its Own Domestic Army’: How the G.O.P. Allied Itself With Militants

Actions taken by paramilitary groups in Michigan last year, emboldened by President Donald J. Trump, signaled a profound shift in Republican politics and a national crisis in the making.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/08/us/militias-republicans-michigan.html?smid=tw-share
I’ve lived in Michigan my entire life. I now work in the Michigan Senate and I know who I work with. I know one of our elected Senators wore a Confederate flag mask on the Senate floor & nothing has really happened to him. 2/ https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/04/25/dale-zorn-apology-confederate-flag-mask/3025930001/
Michigan senator apologizes for wearing face mask that looks like Confederate flag

Sen. Dale Zorn, R-Ida, apologized Saturday after previously denying that his face mask depicted a Confederate flag.

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/04/25/dale-zorn-apology-confederate-flag-mask/3025930001/
I know my colleague @SenatorSantana sponsored, & I & most of my caucus co-sponsored her bill, SB 75, that bans the Confederate flag inside the Capital or on the grounds. It was sent to the Committee on Government Operations, also known as the place where bills go to die. 3/
I know my colleague @SenatorSantana sponsored, & I & most of my caucus co-sponsored her bill, SB 75, that bans the Confederate flag inside the Capital or on the grounds. It was sent to the Committee on Government Operations, also known as the place where bills go to die. 3/
I know my colleague @SenatorSantana sponsored, & I & most of my caucus co-sponsored her bill, SB 75, that bans the Confederate flag inside the Capital or on the grounds. It was sent to the Committee on Government Operations, also known as the place where bills go to die. 3/
I know my colleagues @SenErikaGeiss and Senator @Adamant4Detroit sponsored SCR 3 to simply condemn the coup attempt to overturn the 2020 election – and it too was sent to the Committee on Government Operations. Again that's where bills in the Michigan Senate go to die. 4/
I know my colleagues @SenErikaGeiss and Senator @Adamant4Detroit sponsored SCR 3 to simply condemn the coup attempt to overturn the 2020 election – and it too was sent to the Committee on Government Operations. Again that's where bills in the Michigan Senate go to die. 4/
I know my colleagues @SenErikaGeiss and Senator @Adamant4Detroit sponsored SCR 3 to simply condemn the coup attempt to overturn the 2020 election – and it too was sent to the Committee on Government Operations. Again that's where bills in the Michigan Senate go to die. 4/
I know the cozy relationship Michigan GOP leadership has with the militias. I know Senate GOP leadership met with them the day of the armed intrusion into the Michigan Capital, the day the white supremacists hung a noose on the Capital lawn. 5/ https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/01/19/whitmer-shirkey-militia-meeting/4216937001/
Whitmer expresses concern over Senate GOP leader's meeting with self-described militias

Whitmer said she wants to know if Shirkey met in 2020 with any of the groups involved in an alleged plot to kidnap her.

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/01/19/whitmer-shirkey-militia-meeting/4216937001/
I know the Michigan militia has roots in white supremacy and racism appears to continue to have a home there. I know that all of this is true AND that truth just hurts my soul – and the soul of our state and country. We must do better. 6/ https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/11/15/michigans-history-militias-often-dark/6036400002/
Michigan's history with militias is often dark

In a state with endless acres of backwoods, militias have left similar tracks throughout generations

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/11/15/michigans-history-militias-often-dark/6036400002/
We must address and stand against racism. I believe it's at the heart of the hatred and violence we see in our country. This is not a two-sided story and leadership on both sides of the aisle must condemn all violence, hatred and racism - not empathize with it. 7/7
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