Dana's Dispatch: Scary Stories, Expanding Civil Rights, Introducing Job Court & More!

Scary Stories, Expanding Civil Rights, Introducing Job Court & More! --------------------------------------------------------------- Wanna hear something scary? Power outages are on the rise. Watch my PSA here, and you can learn more about the resources available to you at [Michigan.gov/AG.]( Department of Attorney General (26 October, 2021) Wanna hear a scary story? Power outages are on the rise. Retrieved from: [Wanna hear a scary story? Power outages are on the rise.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Michigan AG to argue before state Supreme Court that sexual orientation is protected We’re arguing before the Michigan Supreme Court that all Michiganders are entitled to the same civil rights. It’s long past time for our state to recognize sexual orientation as protected from discrimination under the law. Michigan’s primary civil rights law, the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, outlaws discrimination based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status and marital status, but not sexual orientation. Legislation and petition initiatives that sought to change that have come up short, but Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is looking to expand those protections through the courts. The state Supreme Court has agreed to take on the matter stemming from a lawsuit initiated by a Sturgis wedding venue, Rouch World, that argues it should be allowed to withhold services based on sexual orientation and gender identity, since those groups aren’t explicitly protected in state law. The law does protect from discrimination based on “sex,” which Nessel’s office in a 41-page brief argues should encompass sexual orientation. [READ MORE]( Gus Burns, MLive (26 October, 2021) Michigan AG to argue before state Supreme Court that sexual orientation is protected Retrieved from: [Michigan AG to argue before state Supreme Court that sexual orientation is protected]( --------------------------------------------------------------- AG, survivor speaks on Underground Railroad’s impact on community The Underground Railroad domestic violence shelter in Saginaw is truly a model for the nation on assisting DV survivors escaping abuse. Thank you for all you do to help people in their greatest time of need. It was an honor to tour your facility. Kendall Keys, WNEM (27 October, 2021) AG, survivor speaks on Underground Railroad’s impact on community Retrieved from: [AG, survivor speaks on Underground Railroad’s impact on community]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Finley: Job courts will restore lives, fuel workforce Nolan Finley for the Detroit News: "Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel are working on a project that should become the most impactful initiative to redeem damaged lives while adding more talent to the state's worker-starved job market. Employers should step up and support them. Good workers shouldn't be wasted on a prison cell.” The new job courts they'll announce soon are aimed at diverting nonviolent offenders from prison and into meaningful employment, with the support they need to succeed. Starting with pilot programs in Wayne and Saginaw counties, and possibly one more, courts will eventually roll out statewide as screening processes and the necessary social services are developed. The project is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation, and joins the other diversion courts in Michigan that provide alternatives to prison for drug addicts, veterans, the mentally ill and alcoholics. [READ MORE]( Nolan Finley, Detroit News (28 October, 2021) Finley: Job courts will restore lives, fuel workforce Retrieved from: [Finley: Job courts will restore lives, fuel workforce]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Coldwater man sentenced in second sexual assault kit initiative case This sentencing serves as a reminder that we remain committed to securing justice for survivors who long thought they would never see their abuser held accountable. I’m proud of the work done by the Jackson County SAKI team to obtain this conviction and sentence. A Coldwater man, who is already serving a decade in prison related to a Kalamazoo County sexual assault, received a second sentence of more than three decades in prison. The announcement was made Friday morning in Jackson County by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Jackson County Prosecutor Jerry Jarzynka. Last month, a jury found Brad Allen Risner, 29, guilty of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) after spending just 10 minutes deliberating. Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Edward Grant sentenced Risner to 35-70 years in prison, which will be served concurrently to his Kalamazoo County sentence. The charge stemmed from a February 2010 assault and was brought as part of the state’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI). Risner was first charged by the Kalamazoo County SAKI team and was sentenced in September for that case. [READ MORE]( Krystle Holleman, WILX (29 October, 2021) Coldwater man sentenced in second sexual assault kit initiative case Retrieved from: [Coldwater man sentenced in second sexual assault kit initiative case]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for being a part of Dana's re-election campaign! Sending emails is a crucial way to keep supporters like you updated on Dana's fight for justice and progress. Plus, this campaign is fueled by grassroots supporters like you! [Will you chip in today to join Dana in the fight for a better tomorrow?]( [CHIP IN TO RE-ELECT DANA NESSEL >>]( KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DANA: Any donor history information in this email reflects what we have on file for this specific email address. If you have donated with a different email address, with a check, or with a spouse – thank you so much. We have that on file and cannot thank you enough for your support. Paid for by Friends of Dana Nessel Friends of Dana Nessel P.O. 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