News and Commentary

Michigan Gov. Whitmer Hit With Multiple Lawsuits Over Coronavirus Order

   DailyWire.com
A protest organized by "Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine" gathers around the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan on April 15, 2020. - The group is upset with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's(D-MI) expanded the states stay-at-home order to contain the spread of the coronavirus. (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP) (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images

Amid growing backlash to what many in the state view as an excessive “stay-at-home” order, which is the strictest in the nation, several Michigan residents and at least one business have filed federal lawsuits against Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer accusing her of “draconian encroachments” on constitutionally protected rights.

Whitmer has become the focal point of a growing protest movement in the state. On Wednesday, demonstrators carried out “Operation Gridlock” at the Michigan State Capitol, where thousands of cars jammed the roads to protest Whitmer’s stay-at-home order, one of the most restrictive in the country.

Meanwhile, a petition calling for the recall of the governor launched just a few days ago has already amassed over 260,000 signatures. “Her failures during the Covid-19 Corona Virus is causing more Michiganders to get sick,” the petition reads. “Closing and banning various non essential business’s and activities while leaving others open. Further promoting the pandemic.”

Now, at least two federal lawsuits have been filed against the embattled Democratic governor.

“In complaints filed on Tuesday and Wednesday, several Michigan residents and one business accused the Democratic governor of violating their constitutional rights by imposing her ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ order,” Reuters reported Thursday.

Both of the lawsuits argue that Whitmer’s executive order violates the constitutional rights of residents, particularly their First Amendment and due process rights, Reuters reports. One of the lawsuits specifies that the order violates Second Amendment rights by closing down gun shops.

The lawsuit filed on Wednesday states that the plaintiffs “reasonably fear that the draconian encroachments on their freedom set forth in this complaint will, unfortunately, become the ‘new norm.'”

“The plaintiffs in Tuesday’s lawsuit filed in Detroit include four Michigan residents. One owns a landscaping business, and another said he is forbidden to see his girlfriend of 14 years because they live in different homes,” Reuters explains. “Two lawyers and the owner of a different landscaping business are plaintiffs in Wednesday’s lawsuit, which is being handled in Grand Rapids.”

The group that organized “Operation Gridlock,” the Michigan Conservative Coalition (MCC), similarly accuses Whitmer of infringing on constitutionally enshrined rights and points to a larger pattern of abuse by other progressive governors. A spokesperson for the group, Meshawn Maddock, told News 10 Wednesday that Whitmer’s order is doing unnecessary damage to businesses. “There is no reason why she can’t be looking at some safe ways to be opening up businesses. Instead of talking about what’s essential and nonessential, let’s talk about what’s safe and not safe,” Maddock told the local station. “Safe businesses and safe workers need to get back to work.”

“Citizens are frankly tired of being treated like babies,” MCC co-founder Marian Sheridan said in a statement. “As adults, we now know what needs to be done to stay safe.”

In response to the growing pushback against her “draconian” order, Whitmer insists that she really wants residents to have their freedom back and asked for more patience. “I want you to have your freedom, I want mine too. We will get to a place where we can be with our friends and family again, where restaurants will open again, where we can go back to work safely again,” said the governor. “We have a few tough days ahead of us, but those days where we can resume some normalcy, they are on the horizon if we keep doing what we need to do to get past this moment.”

Related: WATCH: NJ Governor Confronted On Violating Bill Of Rights By Banning Religious Services, Gives Viral Response

Create a free account to join the conversation!

Already have an account?

Log in

Got a tip worth investigating?

Your information could be the missing piece to an important story. Submit your tip today and make a difference.

Submit Tip
Download Daily Wire Plus

Don't miss anything

Download our App

Stay up-to-date on the latest
news, podcasts, and more.

Download on the app storeGet it on Google Play
The Daily Wire   >  Read   >  Michigan Gov. Whitmer Hit With Multiple Lawsuits Over Coronavirus Order