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Michigan Civil Rights Commission Issues Statement on Governor Whitmer's E.O. Renaming Cass Building in Honor of Daisy Elliott and Melvin Larsen

June 30, 2020

Lansing, MI—Stacie Clayton, Chair of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, today issued the following statement on behalf of the Commission commending Governor Whitmer's Executive Order renaming the Cass Building the Elliott-Larsen Building.

"With their landmark legislation, the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, Daisy Elliott and Mel Larsen cemented their names in the history of this state and in the story of our ongoing journey toward achieving equity and ending discrimination. Renaming this historic building after them is not only timely, it is an important and lasting recognition for these civil rights icons. We thank the Governor for taking this step today to elevate their names and memorialize their crucial contribution to the state of Michigan and all who reside here."

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission was created by the Michigan Constitution to safeguard constitutional and legal guarantees against discrimination. The Commission is charged with investigating alleged discrimination against any person because of religion, race, color or national origin, genetic information, sex, age, marital status, height, weight, arrest record, and physical and mental disability. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights serves as the operational arm of the Commission.

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