LANSING – The Michigan Democratic Party released the following statement on reports that Speaker Jase Bolger and Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville have closed the state Capitol to Michigan citizens speaking out against so-called “right to work” legislation:
“Speaker Bolger and Senator Richardville have taken the unprecedented and shameful step of closing the Capitol building to Michigan citizens, pepper-spraying and arresting people who are attempting to exercise their right to free speech. At their news conference this morning, Snyder claimed this legislation will help workers. If they’re interested in helping workers, attacking them and arresting them for speaking out is completely counterproductive. If they’re interested in helping workers, shutting down dissent is not the way to do it.
“Bolger and Richardville have shown their true colors. They have closed the Capitol, so they cannot hear the people. They are planning to rush through legislation during lame duck session, so they don’t have to listen to the people. And they are planning on using legislative tricks, so the people have no recourse to put this issue on the ballot for a statewide vote.
“This is a sad day in Michigan history.”
