LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she is concerned about the threats of violence made against herself and others.
The governor called on Republican lawmakers during her Monday update to denounce the threats.
"This could be avoided if Republican leadership in the legislature would step up and denounce that kind of activity," Whitmer said during the press conference. "People can have any opinion they want, but to threaten someone else is beyond the pale. I would appreciate if others would do their part to lower the heat."
According to the Metro Times, the threats were made in private Facebook groups and only viewable by members of the pages. The posts included encouraging violence and even assassinating the governor. Plans for another protest on Thursday are circulating social media.
Whitmer also expressed disappointment in the Michigan Capitol Commission delaying a decision on whether to restrict or ban firearms in the building.
The State Capitol Commission met Monday morning via Zoom and formed a sub-committee to study the legal and logistical implications of a ban or restriction of firearms.
On April 30, a group of protesters, including some carrying rifles and not wearing face coverings as required by Whitmer's stay at home order, crowded into the building and demanded to be allowed in the House chambers.
In a formal opinion released Monday, Michigan's Attorney General Dana Nessel said the committee had the legal authority to prohibit firearms in the Capitol building.
“I firmly believe in the right to protest, the right to demonstrate, and the right to loudly and strongly object to those causes that move us,” Nessel said. “These rights are so fundamental to our democracy that they are enshrined in the First Amendment of our Constitution. But it is also important to remember that the right to protest does not encompass the right to violence, or the right to harm those individuals with whom you disagree.”
The sub-committee will move to gather additional legal opinions and report back to the full-committee possibly as early as next week.
Michigan Republic Party Chairman Laura Cox issued a statement regarding the recent threats saying, "Our nation works because Americans can come together and peacefully discuss our disagreements."
"While people have the right to protest and express their views, violence and intimidation have no place in the American system and the Michigan Republican Party condemns any individuals who are resorting to such tactics," Cox said in a statement Tuesday.
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