#IStandWithIlhan
Using your platform to inflame hatred & endanger the life of anyone, let alone a member of Congress who has had multiple death threats against her, is reckless, irresponsible and dangerous, Mr. President.
Context on Omar's remarks:
Happy Korematsu Day! On Jan 30 we celebrate the legacy of a civil rights hero, Fred Korematsu, who defied US government orders to report to a Japanese American internment camp in 1942. His court case was a landmark. He later received a Presidential Medal of Freedom
#korematsuday
Thanks to all who reached out with support! But remember that this isn't about me. It's about our community & our values. I am hopeful that this situation will be a teaching moment for all. Public servants should treat all community members with respect. Hate has no place here!
Very powerful piece by Congresswoman
@CoriBush
.🔥✊
"This is the America that Black people know.. it will continue to be America, until white supremacy is dismantled. Justice starts at removing each and every representative who incited this insurrection."
Senator Lana Theis accused me by name of grooming and sexualizing children in an attempt to marginalize me for standing up against her marginalizing the LGBTQ community...in a fundraising email, for herself.
Hate wins when people like me stand by and let it happen. I won't.
Today is the Day of Remembrance. In 1942, FDR signed Exec Order 9066, which led to internment of 120,000+ Japanese Americans.
It was only 4 yrs ago that our country again targeted people for exclusion based on national origin. We must remember & remain vigilant
#DayOfRemembrance
Our election results in Michigan have been certified. US Dept of Homeland Security officials noted that this was the most secure election in American history. We had record voter turnout and should celebrate that.
Let's uplift truth, democracy, and decency.
Ignore those No on Proposal 3 signs.
You know what's *actually* extreme?
An abortion ban with no exceptions. Taking away people's health care choices. Forcing rape and incest survivors to give birth.
Vote YES on Proposal 3 (
@mireprofreedom
) to support
#reproductivefreedom
.
After 4 decades of GOP control of the MI Senate, we have the opportunity to deliver meaningful change for our residents on climate, education, an economy that works for all, housing justice, gun violence, health care & a fair justice system.
January 2023, we're so ready for you!
LGBTQ folks and people of color have been fighting for justice for decades and we will keep going for as long as it takes.
To all our allies - we need you and appreciate you. Let's work together for a more just world that values all of our humanity.
Love will win. ❤
The truth is that Black, LGBTQ, and other marginalized people have been fighting alone for too long. That’s how we got here.
Honestly, I’m sorry I’m late. To all the other people like me, it’s our turn. We’re late, but we’re not too late.
Let’s go. 💪
#HateWontWin
To Hamtramck LGBTQ+ community members and their families—please know that you have many allies throughout the city and state, and that includes me as your state senator. You are loved, you are welcome, and you are valued. 🧵
Beautiful artwork by 4th grader Violet.
This was given to me by a school administrator at my coffee hour I held jointly with Councilmember
@SullivanforHP
! We are making progress in MI and have much more we can/will do to
#EndGunViolence
.
#Enough
MI Senate GOP in recent weeks...
- Said
@GovWhitmer
looked "delightful" during SOTS
- Has felt "emasculated" by the Governor leading, a.k.a. doing her job
- Joked about spanking her (no one is laughing about gender violence over here)
Sensing a pattern, anyone?
♀️♀️♀️
Anyone else bawl their eyes out at
@RashidaTlaib
's ceremonial swearing in ceremony?
Maybe it was pregnancy hormones? ...pretty sure it was being overjoyed she is in Congress, overwhelmed by the pride of immigrant/Palestinian roots, and Detroit love & strength in the room. 😭 ✊🏽
While calling Iowa voters this evening, it was disheartening to hear how the caucus format didn't allow them to participate. One woman was 94 y.o. Another has a husband w a medical condition that doesn't allow them to be in large crowds. Several people had to work.
#IowaCaucuses
Observation: My 78 and 82 year old parents have never missed a presidential primary vote in their (voting eligible) lives. But there is a 0% chance they would ever sit on a gym floor for 3 hours in order to cast their ballot. At least at the MDP convention we have chairs.
So we can add anti-Asian racism to this circus of a hearing full of lies and complete lack of knowledge of election processes? Great.
What a waste of time and taxpayer dollars.
We are in the middle of a pandemic. People are dying. We have problems to solve. End this circus.
For the 2nd day in a row, Senate GOP adjourned without giving my colleagues & me an opportunity to speak on gun violence & the 2nd anniversary of George Floyd's murder
Are we a representative democracy?? Do GOP colleagues not want to hear about issues Michiganders care about?🧵
On Sunday, June 2 at 7:04am, the Gray-Chang family expanded to a party of four! Meet our new daughter, born 7 lb 4 oz at 20.5 inches. We are safely at home and very happy. ❤
As with our first, we will be keeping public photos to a minimum. Thanks for understanding!
Candidate for MI governor Ryan D. Kelley tells prospective poll workers to unplug tabulation machines if they suspect fraud in the 2022 election. State senate candidate Mike Detmer takes it a step further: “We need to be prepared to lock & load,” he says. “Show up armed.”
🚨UPDATE!🚨 Governor Whitmer signed the COVID-19 relief funding bill today. This funding will help many residents and small business owners.
In signing the bill, she line-item vetoed the boilerplate language regarding hazmat on the Ambassador Bridge!
Thank you
@GovWhitmer
!!🙏
My residents, everyone whose drinking water is from the Detroit River & every business who relies on goods transported across river are in jeopardy, all because Republicans put in boilerplate about hazmat in *COVID RELIEF.* 💧☣⚠️
My op-ed below.
#mileg
So proud of the AAPI community and our allies for speaking up.
Our community is resilient.
We have been through war, refugee camps, exclusion acts, internment, hate crimes, and more. We will persevere, with the support and solidarity from BIPOC communities.
#StopAAPIHate
Just a reminder that on Wednesday,
@LtGovGilchrist
& I discharged the safe storage bills to the MI Senate floor...
...and then the Senate GOP chose to send these commonsense gun safety bills back to committee w/ NO plan for action.
There is NO excuse for inaction
#mileg
Allowing armed protestors to intimidate. Not extending state of emergency. Attempting to cut Gov's authority. Knowing there isn't enough PPE, trying to put workers back to work without needed protections.
This is the majority party today.
And there was a noose, you all.
We won't be able to even make our way out of the third surge of COVID-19 unless we ensure people have water to wash their hands — one of the most basic steps people can take to reduce the chance they become infected and to slow the spread of the virus.
#mileg
THREAD: 1/Our country's next president must rebuild the path toward our shared values of opportunity, access, equity, and justice -- for all of us. The most vulnerable and marginalized in our communities need a chance to thrive.
Actually I'm Taiwanese American and
@MaiXiongMI
is Hmong American. Our families' immigrant/refugee stories are American stories. We bring our values, life experiences, work ethic and ideas to our public service. And we'll keep
#gettingthingsdone
done for our communities despite
Absolutely infuriating.
This cartoon is not only racist and xenophobic -- it is extremely dangerous.
@RashidaTlaib
is an incredible American public servant. She and the Arab & Muslim American communities deserve an apology and this cartoonist should be fired immediately.
Shame on the
@detroitnews
for allowing this racist, xenophobic vile cartoon on their platform.
Pay attention to who condemns this. And then recognize the different standard Arab and Muslim politicians are held by.
Just pointing out the obvious here, but being found hiding in my district in a warehouse in the early morning doesn't exactly match up with their lawyer's earlier statements about their intention to turn themselves in.
Kudos to the person who saw their car and contacted police.
I am incredibly saddened and still in disbelief about the passing of Rep. Isaac Robinson. He was so passionate about social, environmental, and economic justice. He was about standing up for people, always. His fierce advocacy is already missed.
Sending love to his family.
Gun violence is an epidemic that demands action.
Today, we introduced SB 76-86:
✅ universal background checks
✅ safe storage to protect children
✅ extreme risk protection orders
These common sense gun violence prevention bills will save lives.
"Not difficult to draw a line straight from those early rallies in Michigan to Washington — and even earlier, to Charlottesville, VA... 'given the general lack of consequences, this becomes normalized and legitimate and made it easier to scale up."
I am incredibly disturbed by this politically motivated/anti-Taiwanese shooting in Laguna Woods yesterday.
These Taiwanese American seniors were simply gathering at church for fellowship with a former pastor.
Too much hate. Love must win.
In the Chinese language the characters that compose the word “crisis” are “danger” and “opportunity.” It unfortunately sometimes takes a crisis like this to bring our communities together and enact meaningful change... 1/2
#MontereyPark
Threats against
@AbrahamAiyash
,
@NedStaebler
& anyone speaking up for our democracy are unacceptable and must stop. Threats of violence against any member of our community are unacceptable. All who are speaking up w/ passion for our communities have the right to do so w/o fear.
1/ I remember how terrified I felt when my miscarriage started in April 2017.
I was in the bathroom at the Anderson House Office Building. I was about 7 weeks pregnant and had just set up my prenatal appointment.
Then the bleeding started. I was so scared.🧵
In Wisconsin, a woman bled for more than 10 days from an incomplete miscarriage after emergency room staff would not remove the fetal tissue out of fear that doing so might run afoul of state abortion restrictions.
1 in 9 girls experience sexual abuse by an adult by the time they are 18.
Every young person in Michigan should receive educational material in school about sexual assault/ harassment and available resources in the community. 1/
Just a little reminder to not discriminate, attack, or promote hate during
#COVID2019
.
The virus is a virus. It does not have a race or ethnicity.
If you experience a hate crime please call
@dananessel
's hate crimes unit at 313-456-0200. It will be taken seriously.
The federal eviction moratorium has ended.
**Please let friends & neighbors know that Michigan has a COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance program and there is funding available!!**
Link:
Phone:
@WayneMetroCAA
Detroit 866-313-2520
Out-Wayne 734-284-6999
I am proud to be among 24 members of the Michigan legislature who are urging
@POTUS
to advance a durable ceasefire, release of all hostages, adherence to international laws, and aid to ensure all people in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank can live with dignity.
#CeasefireNOW
Michigan is lucky to have these 5 incredible women water warriors leading the fight for clean safe and affordable water in the Great Lakes State. Congratulations on your awards today and thank you! ♀️💧✊🏽
#waterisahumanright
#WomensHistoryMonth
ICYMI, Michigan Senate Democrats are unified in saying that economic development must include investments in people and communities: transit, housing, childcare, etc.
Job creation & strong thriving communities must go hand in hand.
P.S. Missing in the media coverage on the
Last night,
@MISenDems
passed my reform of our state's largest economic development tool, SOAR, which will require 50% of all SOAR funding - up to $250M/yr - go to investments in our people and communities - instead of relying so heavily on incentives for big companies.
Can't wash your hands if you don't have running water at home.
The water exec order & $$ to assist vulnerable families during COVID-19 helped 85,000+ ppl to prevent water shutoff/restore water.
We should codify the EO into law ASAP to
#keepthewateron
💧
So this morning, I dropped the baby off at daycare for her first day there (and none of us cried!?), dropped the 4 y.o. daughter off at preschool, pumped some milk while driving up to Lansing, and made it to the Capitol with time to spare before session! 🎉
#smallvictories
The Hamas attack on civilians in Israel was absolutely horrifying.
&
Palestinians deserve to live with dignity, safety and freedom.
&
Denying human beings water, fuel, and electricity is inhumane and immoral.
&
The rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia must stop.🧵
We are voting now to repeal Michigan's archaic abortion ban that has been on the books since 1931.
Abortion is healthcare. Reproductive health decisions should be made between the individual and their doctor, period.
#reproductivefreedom
#mileg
So disappointing that Detroit City Council approved the facial recognition software budget item today.
I sent them a letter last week expressing my concerns about racial impact, civil liberties issues, and 2 men already wrongly identified & arrested.
We are moving backward.
Since the MI legislature has failed to extend our water shutoff moratorium past March 31, the Biden administration needs to act immediately to get water assistance funds and federal guidance to states ASAP.
There can be no further delay. Our families need help!!
#covid19
#mileg
NEW: Thousands of poor residents in many states at risk of water shutoffs w/ state moratoria expiring
WH resists calls for national ban
Biden admin has not released any of water aid $ approved in December
@RepDebDingell
@RashidaTlaib
press 4 action
We are all still reeling. Just wanted to say:
1. I stand with
#BigGretch
@GovWhitmer
2. Thank you,
@dananessel
,
@MichStatePolice
, FBI, & US Attorneys.
3. Neither stoking nor legitimizing this kind of hate and terror is ever ok.
4. Public servants deserve safe workplaces too.
Agree with her or disagree with her.
But this attempt to silence
@RepRashida
's voice in this important moment is a shame. Congress should instead focus on solving actual problems in our country and moving our world toward peace.
Standing with you, my friend. ❤☮
I am the only Palestinian American serving in Congress, and my perspective is needed here now more than ever. I will not be silenced and I will not let anyone distort my words.
I’m from Detroit, where I learned to speak truth to power, even if my voice shakes.
My husband, daughters, & sister-in-law joined me at the State Capitol today! I would not be able to do this work as a public servant without their love and support.♥️
Ready for a busy, productive, and impactful second term in the Michigan Senate!
#gettingthingsdone
#teamchang
Today I was officially sworn in! It is an incredible honor to begin my second term in the State Senate for the new Senate District 3.
I will continue to work as hard as I can and get things done.
#gettingthingsdone
#teamchang
🧵
Saying Chinese flu or China virus is xenophobic & completely inappropriate.
There have been over 2500 reports of anti-Asian hate incidents since last March, and this language perpetuates it. WHO stopped calling viruses by ethnicities or countries for a reason -- it causes harm.
Michigan Senate GOP Leader Mike Shirkey with on his bout with COVID-19: “The Chinese flu army sent in one of their best soldiers. His name was Rona. I’m not as young as he used to be, so he and I wrestled for nine days, but I finally pinned him.”
Fun times in the legislature! Today in the lobby outside the Senate, I had a visitor who was angry about the
#DriveSAFE
bills re: driver's licenses. He asked my staff if I was called "ching" or "chong", insinuated I didn't understand English, and said I'm not an American.
#mileg
Today is
#KorematsuDay
-- a day to remember this incredible hero who stood up for civil liberties after resisting Japanese American internment and being unjustly incarcerated.
The MI Senate is about to vote on strict photo ID + signature match laws that would make it harder to vote for seniors, people w disabilities, and countless others.
I am voting no on SB303-4 today because they harm our democracy and take the voice away from Michiganders. ⬇️
Thank you so much to
@GovWhitmer
for signing Senate Bill 241 into law!
During this pandemic, access to clean water is more important than ever to ensure that Michiganders in big cities, suburban towns, and villages across our state can have water to drink and wash their hands.
We did it!!
Thank you to every gun violence survivor, parent, physician, law enforcement leader, and faith leader whose fierce advocacy led to this day! And much gratitude to GVP caucus chair past and present,
@VoteWittenberg
&
@rosemarybayer
❤
Today I condemned threats against public officials and called on new allies to support and lift up LGBTQ and people of color-led movement groups who have been doing the work for decades.
#mileg
Best floor speech this year!
But honestly it was painful to watch our legislative body say yes to a craft beer month recognition with ZERO recognition of pride month. Zero recognition of LGBT Michiganders or acknowledging their contributions/issues.
For the 6th year in a row.
Today was our last Senate session day in June & the GOP majority refused its last chance to adopt my resolution to declare June as
#LGBTQ
#PrideMonth
.
BUT we got a head start today to declare July as Craft Beer Month! 🍻 I’m SO PROUD to support my colleagues. My remarks:
The Michigan legislature is about to go on a 2-week break, without extending numerous covid-19 related supports that expire at the end of the month. Shame.
The United Way released a report highlighting that 38% of Michigan households are struggling to meet basic needs.
#mileg
🧵
I have always believed in forgiveness, working together in a bipartisan way, and seeing the good in people, including those I disagree with.
But forgiveness requires genuine apologies. It demands acknowledgement of specific wrongdoing.
Here's what I said today in the Senate...
So this week we have Enbridge rods left in Straits of Mackinac, an old contaminated site partial collapse into the Detroit River, and erosion at the Lake Michigan shoreline because of high water levels (ahem. climate change). We are the Great Lakes State. We must do better.
Thank you to the Taipei Economic and Culture Office in Chicago for facilitating Taiwan's donation of 100,000 masks to the State of Michigan!
This will make such a huge impact on people's lives and we Michiganders are grateful for this positive relationship.
@MOFA_Taiwan
We are in for the fight of our lives -- to make sure every person who can become pregnant can control their own bodies and futures.
We have marched. We have rallied. We have voted.
Now we must continue to march. We must organize and get people out to vote like never before. 1/
Today I reintroduced legislation that would require car insurance companies to prioritize 3 driving factors when setting your car insurance rate: driving record, miles driven that year, driving experience. Every other factor would be weighted less.
#mileg
"Losing access to clean water is coming at a time when COVID-19 cases are at their highest level ever in MI, higher than they were at the time Gov Whitmer issued her water restoration order on March 28. Water bills are piling up." -
@mudowp
@BridgeMichigan
Senate Bill 241, our water shutoff moratorium through the pandemic, has passed the MI House!! It is now headed to the Governor's office. Thank you to all the incredible advocates who fought tirelessly for our vulnerable residents to have access to water. Onward!💧✊
#mileg
CORRECTION:
I made a motion to adjourn, to spare Michiganders for the time being, from laws that would make it harder for seniors, people with disabilities, and low income people to be able to have their vote be counted.
Thanks to your 3 members who joined us in support.😉
I've known Pete Martel for at least a decade. He is a good man, smart & talented leader, and someone who deserved this chance.
People who are formerly incarcerated shouldn't be shut out of key positions. We should value the skills & experiences of qualified people like Pete!
🧵
This is so shameful
Pete Martel came back from incarceration after a long time in prison (a decade spent in solitary confinement) and earned a law degree at Wayne State University...he has been a model citizen since his return...he has worked tirelessly to help people
I left the Capitol sad & disappointed tonight. I've left the Capitol feeling sad (or angry) many times before, but today was different.
We should be fighting on the same team - to save lives, protect workers, help the most vulnerable. If a global pandemic can't teach us this...
Today the Senate passed SB241, my bill to codify moratorium on water shutoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This Human Rights Day, we took action to protect everyone's health and safety. Michiganders need water to wash their hands with soap & water during the pandemic.
#mileg
The Michigan Capitol Commission meets tomorrow to discuss a ban on open carry.
If you believe all firearms should be banned at our State Capitol, contact them at mscc
@legislature
.mi.gov.
I just sent them an email. ⬇️
Immigrants are human beings.
Immigrants are deserving of dignity.
Without immigrants, our country's agricultural sector, overall economy & healthcare system would crumble to a halt.
P.S. Undocumented immigrants commit less crime than citizens.
Today, we adopted SR 30, my resolution condemning hate against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. These senseless acts of violence, discrimination, & harassment are driven by hate & white supremacy — they must stop. 🧵 1/4
.
@KamalaHarris
will be incredible. I can't wait for my Black & Asian American daughters to see Harris sworn in as President. This picture was taken in May 2019. I was very pregnant with my second daughter and I told Harris that she would be hapa too. 😀
We are so ready.
10 years ago, I skipped a grad school class to join the protest against the right to work for less bill.
Now, I'm excited to head into my final term in the legislature with a Democratic trifecta that will be able to finally repeal this law! Let's get it done.
#mileg
It is an incredible honor to be elected Senate Minority Floor Leader by my colleagues this morning! I'm looking forward to working with Leader
@jimananich
and senators on both sides of the aisle to get things done for Michigan. We are ready to work!!
#mileg
I'm proud to welcome the incoming members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, including our newly elected floor leader, Sen.-elect
@stephanielily
Chang!
@MISenDems
Two committees within US Dept of Homeland Security say the 2020 election was the most secure in US history.
They note that there is no evidence that any voting system was compromised or that votes were lost, deleted or changed.
#ProtectTheResults
Thanks for coming to the Capitol,
@DetroitCityFC
!!
Congratulations on your 2021 spring and fall NISA championships as well as your exciting announcement yesterday! 🏆⚽️🎉
Thank you
@GovWhitmer
for signing our legislation today to permanently mark January 30 as Fred Korematsu Day for Civil Liberties and the Constitution!
This is a terrific way to celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. 🧵
#AAPIHeritageMonth