Posted on 05/14/2020 4:16:31 PM PDT by lightman
LANSING, MI -- A fight broke out on the steps of the Michigan Capitol Thursday morning during a protest aimed at Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the ongoing state of emergency and stay-at-home orders.
J. Scott Park, an MLive photographer, witnessed the fight break out after a man carrying a garbage can filled with a sign, an ax and an American flag removed the flag from the can. Attached to the bottom of the flag was an unclothed doll with brown hair that was hanging from a noose.
Organizers of the protest called the display hate speech and when one protester tried to take the doll off the flag a skirmish broke out. The man who brought the flag fled away from the fight and to the lawn of the Capitol where Michigan State Police surrounded him.
Related story: Video: Doll with noose prompts fight at Michigan Capitol protest
The man was taken into the Capitol building following the altercation. Michigan State Police reported there were no injuries and no arrests were made.
MSP public information officer Lt. Brian Oleksyk said the man who brought the flag was interviewed by police and he will be allowed to press charges if he elects to.
We took his report, we will investigate thoroughly and file our report," Oleksyk said.
In his report, the victim stated that he and the person he fought with have had issues with one another prior to Thursdays protest, but details on those incidents could not be shared by police. The man was allowed to leave the Capitol property and did so without further incident, according to Oleksyk.
There was an incident between two demonstrators, in which one demonstrator tried to take a sign out of another demonstrator's hand. There are no injuries and no arrests were made. The victim is a 60-year-old male. Michigan State Police (@MichStatePolice) May 14, 2020
Following the fight, an unidentified woman who claimed to be the one who grabbed the flag from the man was seen speaking to other protesters.
I took his flag away, because thats not what it stands for, the woman can be heard saying in a video.
The same woman later took the stage to address the crowd and said she would not stand for those actions and would resort to violence if necessary.
Hate crimes are not tolerated in Michigan, end of story, she said. Just so you guys know, Ill fight that, physically if I have to.
Jazmine Early, 49, of Sterling Heights attended the protest and said she was aware prior to the event that some people would be attending in hopes of causing problems and drawing attention away from the meaning of the gathering.
He came with something that he thought would catch attention from the media, Early said. "They started arguing and he was asked kindly please not do that.
Yesterday, we were warned that there would be ... people coming from the other side to look like they were on our side. And the media, Im pretty sure, is going to talk only about that.
PREVENTION TIPS
In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.
Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.
Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued an executive order requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nose while inside enclosed, public spaces.
Bad taste?
Yes.
Political speech.
Yes.
First Amendment protected?
ABSOLUTELY.
Michigan Trooper made the right call.
A child’s doll with a little noose?
It is symbolic for “Gov. Whitmer, you just hang in there.”
What kind of doll would Dr. Rachel Levine be?
Too soon?
Yesterday, we were warned that there would be ... people coming from the other side to look like they were on our side. And the media, Im pretty sure, is going to talk only about that.
“The same woman later took the stage to address the crowd and said she would not stand for those actions and would resort to violence if necessary.”
Mouthy Karen.
A bianca Pizza the Hutt.
We had to grit our teeth and accept it when a federal court first ruled that leftists burning an American flag in public was somehow “protected free speech.” How did it “speak”, we asked. Symbolic. Burning the flag was a form of statement in a way.
And an “artist” urinating on a statue or portrait of Jesus is protected.
A silly gag with a little doll? Oooooh. Dangerous. Watch out./s
That is called FREE SPEECH.
The doll is too pretty to be Whitmer.
This gets liberal upset ...but 1000s of dead seniors dont.
Set up.
If it were a black doll............
When the Left burn flags and recognizable effigies, no one bats an eye.
Yeah, you may be right.
All speech is hate speech.
It was a set up. The trooper saw it for what it was. The woman who took the doll from the man committed Petty Larceny.
Don't
even
think
about
that.
“Just so you guys know, Ill fight that, physically if I have to.
Good God, these feminists are insane. The matriarchy is over... over with a one punch war.
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