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AG Nessel Calls for Appropriate Response to Threats of Violence

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following statement after her office received more than 80 phone calls today regarding racially charged threats of violence that were made to state Rep. Cynthia Johnson, the representative’s reaction to that and whether the Department of Attorney General is investigating the matter.

“The threats Rep. Johnson has received are appalling, ugly and deeply disturbing, but her response to those messages is also unacceptable and I strongly condemn both. My office has received a number of calls and emails from residents about these incidents. I must remind people that if they have been threatened or if they fear for their safety, the appropriate thing to do is to call your local police department or 911, if it’s an emergency, so that law enforcement officers can respond. As Michiganders, and as Americans, we cannot allow hateful rhetoric from a few individuals to drag the masses down into a spiral of unjust actions. It is never acceptable for anyone – especially a public servant – to incite violence or to threaten others with harm. When vigilantes assume justice is theirs to serve, our democracy suffers. It’s time for us to move forward together as a state instead of engaging in – or celebrating – actions of hate and divisiveness.”

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