An online racial justice organization is planning to deliver petitions to Governor Rick Snyder Friday, calling for him to remove Michigan State Police Director Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue from her post.
The push comes a day after Governor Snyder announced Col. Etue would be docked five days pay for violating Michigan State Police's social media policy.
The petition drive is led by Color of Change. The group says the petition has been signed by over 85,000 people, all demanding Governor Snyder remove Col. Etue from her position.
Several groups have been calling for her to step down over a controversial post she shared on Facebook in September, that referred to NFL players who sit or kneel during the pre-game national anthem as "degenerates."
Col. Etue has since apologized for the post but has said several times she will not step down from her position as MSP Director.
Earlier this week, black leaders took to the streets to march in front of Michigan State Police's headquarters, calling for Col. Etue to resign. They're also demanding justice for a black teen who died in August after crashing his ATV when he allegedly was tasered by a Michigan State Trooper in Detroit.
Color of Change has called Governor Snyder's decision to dock five days of Col. Etue's pay a "slap on the wrist."
In a statement, Rashad Robinson, the Executive Director of Color of Change says "Michigan needs leadership that will work with communities to end racism, not denigrate and silence those who are calling for change."
The group says the petition will be delivered to Governor Snyder's office at 9AM Friday morning, with a tele-press conference to follow at 9:30 a.m.
