MPRN's Rick Pluta sent us this photo from the Capitol.
Last Thursday, the Capitol was closed for several hours after protestors poured in to voice their opposition to the sweeping 'right-to-work' legislation moving through the Legislature.
The Michigan State Police are getting ready for an even bigger day tomorrow.
Union supporters were getting training on civil disobedience over the weekend.
From the Washington Post:
More than 200 activists attended training Saturday in preparation for a protest at the Michigan Capitol, where lawmakers are putting the final touches on legislation that would allow workers to stop paying union dues.
The Michigan State Police say they "will be strictly enforcing the procedures for the use of the Michigan State Capitol, as approved and published by the Michigan Capitol Committee."
“All of the measures we are taking at the Capitol are to ensure the safety of those working and conducting business in the Capitol and the surrounding state buildings,” stated Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP. “Our responsibility includes safeguarding the Constitutional rights of those attempting to petition their legislators, and enforcing these rules allows us to provide a safe forum for everyone.”
Here are the full procedures for use of the public areas at the Michigan State Capitol.
A few rules they point out:
- In case of a fire, bomb threat, utility malfunction, structural failure or other unforeseen emergency or threat endangering public safety or health, the Executive Director of the Michigan Capitol Committee or Capitol security may lock the Capitol at any time and require that entrances be used only as a means of egress in case of emergency. A person shall not enter or attempt to enter through an entrance which is closed pursuant to these conditions until the emergency is over.
- Hand-carried signs and signs on handsticks are not allowed in the public areas inside the Capitol.
- No sound amplifying equipment (including whistles, drums, bull horns, etc.) may be used whose sound level interferes with any legislative session or the conduct of public business by agencies of the State which occupy or use the Capitol.
- Camping or sleeping overnight on the Capitol grounds is not allowed. Sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, and similar bedding items will not be permitted in the Capitol building.
The MSP posted the following road closures starting at 6am on Tuesday:
- Capital from Ionia to Allegan
- Michigan from Washington to Capital
- Ottawa from Capital to Walnut
- Allegan from Capital to Walnut
- Walnut from Allegan to Ottawa
