Mayor Neeley helps lead coalition of Black mayors calling for state to reject Senate voter suppression bills

Michigan—Black mayors in Michigan are joining together to collectively call on Michigan lawmakers to reject new voter suppression efforts introduced in the state Senate. 

“The call for reform in Michigan and other states is misguided at best and, in fact, has every appearance of being a direct attack on increased voter turnout driven in large part by African Americans,” the mayors wrote in a letter being delivered to lawmakers.

Mayor Sheldon Neeley is helping to spearhead the movement. 

“These proposals would deprive people of their greatest American right. I view this as an unpatriotic attempt to derail access and opportunity to American Citizens,” Mayor Neeley said. “We often talk about implicit bias, but this is explicit bias.”

As part of the Urban Alliance of Michigan, the mayors will go to Lansing on Tuesday to call on lawmakers to reject these proposals and stop this legislative injustice. Masks and social distancing will be required.

The alliance of mayors includes the leaders of Benton Harbor, Eastpointe, Flint, Harper Woods, Highland Park, Inkster, Muskegon Heights, Pontiac and Saginaw. Other local and elected officials also have joined the effort. 

The effort is being coordinated with the help of the Urban Alliance of Michigan, the purpose of which is to unite Michigan’s urban elected officials, clergy and civic leaders to address common issues.

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The full text of the mayors’ letter is below: