Lansing braces for another State Capitol protest

Police Department to considers social distancing tickets

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WEDNESDAY, April 29 — The Lansing Police Department’s latest plans to ramp up enforcement efforts for social distancing violations at downtown protests could be put to the test tomorrow.

A series of demonstrations are planned for tomorrow, including a 9 a.m. protest on the Capitol Lawn. The Lansing police were criticized for its handling of Operation Gridlock, a large-scale protest April criticizing aspects of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s shutdown order.

The “American Patriot Rally on Capitol Lawn,” which calls for Michigan legislators to end the state’s emergency declaration, has now had two event pages removed from Facebook, but organizers said the rally will continue as planned, according to recent reports from MLive.

The Capitol Lawn is under the jurisdiction of the Michigan State Police. The Lansing Police Department will assist if requested and continue to have its officers monitor the surrounding Capitol block. Other area agencies have also been asked to provide assistance.

City officials said those participating in tomorrow’s demonstration are expected to follow social distancing guidelines and not to impede traffic flow. If those laws are violated, officers will “take appropriate enforcement actions proportionate to the situation,” officials explained.

Lansing Mayor Andy Schor was “disappointed” that more protests are planned after hundreds violated social distancing measures at Operation Gridlock. He contends protesters are only putting both themselves and local residents at risk of spreading COVID-19.

“We all need to be practicing social distancing by staying home or only working essential jobs in our own communities to ensure that we beat this virus,” Schor said in a recent statement.

While hundreds clearly violated orders to keep a six-foot social distance from others at this month’s protest, neither the Michigan State Police nor the Lansing Police Department issued a single citation. Police Chief Daryl Green said he’ll consider writing tickets this time around.

“This was unprecedented,” Green told City Pulse earlier this month. “Moving forward, we’ll monitor these situations and take appropriate action as necessary. I can’t guarantee we’ll have 100 citations next time, but if we have an opportunity to take enforcement action, we’ll do it.”

That enforcement will include a warning before any actual citations are issued, officials said. A temporary traffic mitigation plan is also prepared and can be implemented as necessary. Schor previously said that could involve closing off lanes near medical facilities throughout the city.

“Our No. 1 priority is the safety of our citizens and visitors,” added Fire Chief Mike Mackey.

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