Activists say women's, voters' rights under attack in Michigan - Fox 2 News Headlines

Activists say women's, voters' rights under attack in Michigan

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Rev. Charles Williams  (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com) Rev. Charles Williams (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) -

"This is an attack on the public's democracy and it's an attack on personal democracy," said Rev. Charles Williams.

They say voters and women are under attack.  Activists are looking at legislation in Lansing aimed at limiting access to abortion and access to the voting booth, legislation they say is dangerous.
 
"There's something wrong with a governor, a government, that says you don't have the right to vote," said Maureen Taylor.

"If you don't have your I.D., they let you vote, but your vote ends up getting marked as a challenged ballot," Williams explained.

Under newly approved legislation, that vote could be challenged in court, even though you're a registered voter.  There's worry this kind of legislation disproportionately impacts poor people, young people, the elderly and minorities, who may not have a photo I.D.  These are also people more likely to vote Democratic.

"You could go to sleep and there be one candidate in place who won, and then you could wake up and there will be judges deciding whether challenged ballots should be counted or not counted," said Williams.

But that's not the only issue that has this group fired up.  They're standing with state Representative Lisa Brown, who was barred from speaking after saying vagina on the House floor.

"The legislature is offended by the word vagina, but they're not offended by the destruction of democracy," said Pastor Ed Rowe.

They'll march on Tuesday from Gratiot and Holcomb to Bethel East Baptist Church.  That's where a meeting is planned between Governor Rick Snyder and the Council of Baptist Pastors.

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