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Michigan commissioner censured for attending stay-at-home protest

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Michigan commissioner censured.

Royal Oak, Michigan Commissioner Kim Gibbs is fighting back after being censured for attending a protest against the governor’s stay-at-home orders.

What was Vice Chairwoman Abigail Shane’s defense against the censure?

On April 15, 2020, the Michigan Board of Commissioners censured one of its own, Vice Chairwoman Abigail Shane, for attending a stay-at-home protest outside the state Capitol. Shane joined thousands of protesters who were demonstrating against Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s strict measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

The board’s action stemmed from a complaint filed by a Michigan resident, who argued that Shane violated the board’s code of conduct by participating in the protest. The complaint alleged that Shane’s attendance at the event was tantamount to a public endorsement of the protests and a violation of her duty to represent her constituents and maintain the integrity of the board.

The censure resolution passed by the board also cited Shane’s failure to wear a mask in public as another violation of the board’s code of conduct. The resolution stated that Shane’s actions undermined the board’s efforts to promote public health and safety in the midst of a pandemic.

Shane, however, defended her actions, saying that she attended the protest as a private citizen and not as a representative of the board. She also claimed that she wore a mask to the event, although some photos showed her without a mask.

The censure of Shane, which is a formal reprimand by the board, does not carry any specific penalties, but it serves as a symbolic rebuke of her actions. The censure also highlights the tension between public officials who support the stay-at-home orders and those who believe that the orders infringe on their constitutional rights.

Governor Whitmer, who has been strongly criticized by some conservative groups and protesters for her stay-at-home orders, said that she was not surprised by Shane’s attendance at the protest. She also emphasized that the board’s censure was intended to send a message that public officials have a responsibility to prioritize public health above personal politics.

The censure of Shane has sparked a heated debate about the role of public officials in times of crisis and the limits of the right to protest. While some have argued that Shane’s attendance at the stay-at-home protest was a harmless act of free speech, others have criticized her for setting a bad example and putting public health at risk.

Regardless of one’s political views, it is clear that public officials have a responsibility to act in the best interests of their constituents, especially during a crisis. The censure of Shane should serve as a reminder of that obligation, and a warning to other public officials who may be tempted to prioritize personal politics over public health.