Cosecha Michigan begins a hunger strike, while Democrats fail to keep promises and the Michigan Freedom Fund practices xenophobia

Earlier today, Movimiento Cosecha Michigan held a Press Conference in Lansing to announce the kick-off of a hunger strike at the Capitol. The Press Release reads:

Undocumented Michiganders need access to driver’s licenses now. Movimiento Cosecha Michigan has been leading direct actions to demand that state legislators pass the Licenses for All bills without further delay. 

On Tuesday, December 10th, Movimiento Cosecha Michigan members and supporters will begin a HUNGER STRIKE until the Michigan Legislature approves the Drive S.A.F.E. bills. 

Governor Whitmer and Democratic leadership have publicly expressed their support for these bills. However, their continued inaction in moving these bills out of committee and bringing them to a vote highlights why many Michiganders distrust the Democratic Party’s leadership. 

Movimiento Cosecha Michigan will hold a press conference on the steps of the Capitol to announce the hunger strike and introduce the individuals who are putting their health and well-being on the line for justice. Undocumented Michiganders deserve the right to drive without fear, and it is time for elected officials to deliver on their promises 

The Press Conference just happened, which you can watch here. As of right now, members of Movimiento Cosecha Michigan will be engaging in a hunger strike until the Democratic Party controlled State Legislature decides to pass the Drive S.A.F.E. bills. The Michigan Democrats have been promising for several years to pass the Drive S.A.F.E. bills, but after they lose control of the State Legislature in January, they will not be able to keep that promise, which is why Movimiento Cosecha Michigan wants them to pass these bills NOW! 

Unfortunately, there are also organizations that are actively opposing the  Drive S.A.F.E. bills, groups that are in no way allies to the immigrant community. 

One example of a group opposing driver’s licenses for undocumented people is the DeVos-created, DeVos-funded organization known as the Michigan Freedom Fund. The Michigan Freedom Fund is essentially a GOP front group, which not only opposes undocumented people from having driver’s licenses, they have been using racist, xenophobic and anti-immigrant language in action alerts they are sending out to people telling them to not vote for the Drive S.A.F.E. bills. On the right is an action alert that the Michigan Freedom Fund has been sending out, where they specifically use xenophobic language, referring to undocumented immigrants as “illegal.”

Movimiento Cosecha Michigan needs your support to get the Drive S.A.F.E. bills passed. Contact you State Representative and State Senator immediately by going to this link to find out more details about the Drive S.A.F.E. bills and to find your State Representative and State Senator.