LANSING, Mich. — “Today, in agreement with Lansing City Council President Peter Spadafore, I made an official request to Governor Gretchen Whitmer to activate and have ready the Michigan National Guard in the event of violence stemming from scheduled protests at the Michigan State Capitol. The request was for the National Guard to assist Lansing Police if a violent disturbance in the downtown area surrounding the Capitol building occurs.
Lansing is the Capital City, and I am a firm believer in the First Amendment right to protest at our state Capitol but let me be clear: this does not mean that anyone has a right to incite violence or destruction in Lansing’s downtown. I remain hopeful that any protests at the Capitol and in Lansing’s downtown this weekend and through Inauguration Day remain peaceful. However, given recent events in Washington D.C., we must prepare for the worst. The Lansing Police Department is working with the Michigan State Police and other police agencies to ensure the safety and security of our downtown and calling up the National Guard to protect Lansing’s downtown ensures that their resources are also available to respond effectively to any violent agitation downtown.
For 213 years, the United States has had peaceful transfers of power. What happened at the U.S. Capitol last week was an attack on our democracy. We will see a transfer of power and inauguration of President Joe Biden. Unfortunately, Lansing and all state capitals must be ready to protect against those that would use violence to protest this transfer of power,” said Mayor Andy Schor.
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