Stephanie Chang, first Asian American woman to serve in Michigan Legislature talks about pursuing politics
DETROIT โ For years, Michigan Sen. Stephanie Chang counseled women with the Detroit Asian Youth Project and now as an elected official runs a fellowship program called Girls Making Change. Like so many working mothers Chang juggles having a toddler and her job, in this case as a state senator. Chang is the first Asian American woman elected in Michigan. While the landscape is changing, Chang says young women and women of color in particular face an uphill battle. Following the mass shooting in Atlanta that killed eight including six Asian American women, Chang helped lead a Detroit rally in support of the victims.
Rally in Downtown Detroit calls for an end to hate against Asian Americans
DETROIT โ A large group marched through the streets of Detroit, calling for an end to violence against the Asian American community Sunday. Six of those killed were Asian women. READ: As virus-era attacks on Asians rise, past victims look backAdDuring the pandemic, hate crimes against Asian Americans jumped nearly 150% with about 3,800 incidents reported. โAs Asian American women, we wonder what are the places that are safe for us?โMore than a hundred people showed up for the Stop Asian Hate vigil in Downtown Detroit. You can reach out by email or call the Hate Crimes Unit at 313-456-0200.
New Michigan legislation would reinforce accountability of private dock owners
View of the Detroit River on Oct. 10, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.DETROIT โ Michigan lawmakers have re-introduced legislation intended to protect waterways and public health by enhancing accountability of private dock owners. Last year, the Defenders exposed the unpermitted riverfront business going on at Revere Dock, which ultimately resulted in a dock collapse, spilling contaminated soil into the Detroit River. READ: Seawall damage puts Detroit River at risk, city issues tickets that are not being paidAdAbout a month after the Revere Dock collapse, another dock collapsed in St. Clair County. The legislation was introduced by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-Beverly Hills) and Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor). Last year, the Defenders exposed the unpermitted riverfront business going on at Revere Dock, which ultimately resulted in a dock collapse, spilling contaminated soil into the Detroit River.
Seawall damage puts Detroit River at risk, city issues tickets that are not being paid
DETROIT โ The Local 4 Defenders discovered another Riverfront business operating with a long list of violations on their seawall. Last year, the Defenders exposed the unpermitted Riverfront business going on at Revere Dock, which ultimately resulted in a dock collapse, spilling contaminated soil into the Detroit River. UPDATE: New Michigan legislation would reinforce accountability of private dock ownersThe city of Detroit issued 1,054 tickets. Sen. Stephanie Chang, who represents the district by the Riverfront, said she is worried we are going to see high water problems along the Detroit River. โEspecially thinking about the fact that so many of us get our drinking water from the Detroit River.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs 7 bills into law
Michigan Gov. (Michigan Office of the Governor via AP)LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed five Senate bills and two House bills into law Tuesday. โEvery Michigander deserves access to clean water, especially during a global pandemic,โ Whitmer said. House Bill 5481This bill amends Article 26A of the Occupational Code to align with recently enacted federal regulations concerning Appraisal Management Companies.
Elected officials call for independent investigation into Detroit polices use of force against protestors
DETROIT Elected officials from the federal, state and local level sent a letter Wednesday to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Police Chief James Craig and the Board of Police Commissioners (BOPC) calling for an independent investigation into use of force by Detroit police against protesters. The letter was signed by U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Michigan Sen. Stephanie Chang, Detroit City Council President Pro Temp Mary Sheffield (District 5) and City Councilor Raquel Castaeda-Lpez (District 6). In addition to a duty to intervene when other officers are using excessive force, officers cannot use chokeholds or fire a weapon from moving vehicles. A lawsuit was filed by Detroit Will Breathe and 14 individuals, seeking a temporary restraining order enjoining the city of Detroit and the Detroit Police Department from using certain tactics. They alleged that police responded to protests with excessive force and violated their first and fourth amendment rights.
Should hazardous materials be allowed to be transported on the Ambassador Bridge?
DETROIT The owners of the 91-year-old suspension bridge across the Detroit River asked the Michigan Department of Transportation to allow trucks carrying flammable, chemical or corrosive materials to cross the bridge. An estimated 10,000 trucks cross the Ambassador Bridge every day and bridge owners are pushing for a change to allow trucks carrying Class 3 Flammable liquids and HAZMAT Class 8 Corrosive substances to be transported over the 4-lane bridge. We dont need to be adding potential hazardous material slips onto the bridge or into the river, Chang said. His ferry is allowed to transport trucks carrying hazardous materials and admits this change would affect his business. Meantime, the Wayne County Commission unanimously voted to urge Michigan officials to block the bridge from allowing the HAZMAT to be transported.
Michigan Senate passes bill to require implicit bias, de-escalation training for police
LANSING, Mich. (AP) The Michigan Senate unanimously approved a bill Thursday that would require police to be trained on implicit bias and de-escalation techniques to minimize the use of force more than a week after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis sparked nationwide protests. The legislation would also mandate, starting in 2022, that officers complete annual continuing education. Michigan is among six states without such a requirement, according to a 2017 report. We must change this, the bill sponsor, Democratic Sen. Jeff Irwin of Ann Arbor, said while choking up. The measure, which was passed just a week after its introduction in the Republican-led chamber, was sent to the House for further consideration.
Lawmakers announce bills that would allow all Michigan residents path to ID or driverโs license
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan lawmakers announced a bill package that would give all residents the chance to obtain state identification cards or driverโs licenses, even if they canโt prove legal presence, according to a news release. The bills are called The Drive SAFE (Safety, Access, Freedom, and the Economy) bills, and would apply to residents who meet the definition of having residence in Michigan. "I am proud that such a broad-based coalition has come together to support driverโs licenses for those who cannot prove their legal residence. It is time to update Michiganโs laws to enhance safety on the road, grow our agricultural economy, and protect human dignity,โ Chang said. They also ensure that all members of our communities can continue making valuable contributions to our home and economy without fear.โ