Civil Liberties & Public Services

Public services like libraries are more than just community resources—they are symbols of free speech, access to information, and equal opportunity. But across the country and here in Michigan, libraries have become targets of political censorship, budget threats, and attacks on intellectual freedom. This letter defends public libraries and affirms their essential role in our democracy.

• Protect Michigan’s Public Libraries from Political Attacks

  Published: June 1, 2025

  Issue: Local and state-level efforts are threatening public libraries through censorship campaigns, defunding, and politicized book bans.
  What’s at Risk: Libraries could lose critical funding, remove inclusive materials, or even shut down under coordinated political pressure.
  Action: Tell your state lawmakers to protect library funding, oppose censorship, and stand for free access to information in every Michigan community.
  

  Who to Send This Letter To: Your Michigan State Representative, Michigan State Senator, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer

• Protect Michigan’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

  Updated 8/3/25 to reflect modern policies.

  Originally Published: April 26, 2025

  Issue:
  A wave of state and federal efforts, including Executive Order 14173, aims to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. These initiatives seek to eliminate inclusive hiring, defund university DEI offices, and block equity-based grants and services.

  What’s at Risk:
  Without DEI protections, Michigan could see reduced access to education, employment, and public services for people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, disabled residents, and others from historically marginalized communities. Local equity initiatives, student support programs, and anti-discrimination practices are all under threat.

  Action:
  Tell your Michigan lawmakers to defend DEI programs statewide. Demand they reject any legislation that cuts equity-focused efforts and call for expanded support for inclusive public policy, education, and hiring practices.

  Who to Send This Letter To:
  Your Michigan State Representative and Michigan State Senator

• Protect Protesters from Surveillance and Federal Criminalization

  Issue: Federal agencies have used AI-powered surveillance and data-sharing systems to monitor peaceful protestors.
  What’s at Risk? First Amendment rights and the safety of protestors are endangered by overreach and political targeting.
  Action: Call on Congress to block protest surveillance, protect civil liberties, and investigate protest-related prosecutions.
  Who to Send This Letter To: Your U.S. Senators and U.S. House Representative

• Stop the Attack on Public Broadcasting

  Issue: Lawmakers have introduced proposals to defund NPR, PBS, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
  What’s at Risk? Access to noncommercial, fact-based news and educational programming is threatened—especially for rural and underserved communities.
  Action: Urge your representatives to oppose cuts to public media and support its independence.
  Who to Send This Letter To: Your U.S. Senators and U.S. House Representative

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Mail This Letter To: (Ferndale, MI)

State Representative Helena Scott (HD-8)
The Honorable Helena Scott
Michigan House of Representatives
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514

State Senator Mallory McMorrow (SD-8)
The Honorable Mallory McMorrow
Michigan Senate
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536

Governor Gretchen Whitmer
The Honorable Gretchen Whitmer
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, MI 48909

Not Sure Who Represents You?

Use these tools to find your specific state and federal legislators:

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Michigan-based organizations

Protecting Public Libraries

Organization: Michigan Library Association (MLA)
Website: miliberty.org
Why recommend: The MLA is one of the most active voices protecting Michigan libraries from censorship and funding threats. They track legislation, organize library advocacy days, and provide action alerts.

Also notable:

• Red, Wine, & Blue – Book Ban Busters (Michigan chapter): Focuses on fighting book bans and censorship, especially in suburban school and public libraries.

Defending DEI in Michigan

Organization: ACLU of Michigan
Website: aclumich.org
Why recommend: The ACLU of Michigan is at the forefront of fighting bills that seek to erase DEI programming, especially in schools, colleges, and government institutions. They provide analysis, action alerts, and legal resistance strategies.

Also relevant:

• MI Students First Coalition: An informal coalition that has spoken out against anti-DEI legislation in Michigan universities.
  (They don't have a single site but are often coordinated through ACLU and student activism hubs.)

Surveillance, Privacy & Palantir

Organization: Detroit Community Technology Project (DCTP)
Website: detroitcommunitytech.org
Why recommend: DCTP is doing incredible work in resisting surveillance tech in Michigan, especially facial recognition, predictive policing, and corporate tech overreach. They offer workshops, community resources, and grassroots tools.

Also notable:

• Stop LAPD Spying Coalition (not Michigan-based, but very aligned on Palantir tracking and protest surveillance; useful for background education)

• Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) also monitors federal-level surveillance contracts, including Palantir.

Public Broadcasting & Media Equity

Organization: Michigan Association of Public Broadcasters (MAPB)
Website: michmab.com
Why recommend: MAPB advocates on behalf of Michigan’s public television and radio stations. They work to protect CPB funding at the federal level and coordinate with PBS and NPR affiliates across Michigan.