Militia Mobilizes to Block Arrest of 77-Year-Old Michigan Barber Who Reopened

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May 11, 2020

The Michigan Militia says the police will not be allowed to arrest 77-year-old Owosso, Mich., barber, Karl Manke, who has defied Governor Whitmer’s orders that all non-essential businesses stay closed. Friday night, Michigan State Police delivered a health protection order from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office ordering that Manke close his doors.

A local Fox affiliate spoke to Daniel Brewer, one of the militia members standing up for the barber’s right to work. “Yesterday six troopers came in to enforce the governor’s order or to issue a cease or desist order so we are here to make sure he doesn’t get arrested. We’re willing to stand in front of that door and block the entrance so the police will have no entry there today.”

As relationships heat up between overreaching government agents and protesters who want to open the economy, people like Manke are being completely let down by the system that claims to want to help them, leading to more anger and outrage than government officials are ready to handle. Manke obeyed the original orders and closed his shop, but when he was turned down for unemployment—twice—he said he had no choice but to go back to work to survive.


Fox reported:


Karl Manke’s Barber & Beauty Shop in Owosso opened Monday morning and received a packed lobby of customers eager for a trim.

The 77-year-old said he followed the order for as long as he could. He said after multiple extensions of the stay-at-home order and no source of income, he had to return to work.

“I’m not trying to be a scofflaw. I’m trying to make a living,” said Manke. “I tried for the unemployment. I was denied twice on unemployment. I haven’t seen anything in one these other checks from the government.”


Manke isn’t hurting for customers now that he has reopened. News reports say there is a line around the block waiting for their turn to get a trim. At this point, we have to ask our government officials, who seem to think they have all the answers but who cannot help feed people like Manke, what good is any of this doing? Millions of people have to work to eat and the government insisting they starve to (insert today’s reason that keeps shifting here) is not sustainable. People are not able to comply indefinitely with never-ending lockdown orders.

Will this situation in Michigan become 2020’s standoff at the Bundy ranch? When the federal government tried to confiscate the Bundy cattle as repayment for an alleged debt, the militia showed up and stood with the ranchers and caused the government to back down without a shot fired. Bundy was later exonerated in court and the federal government was embarrassed nationally for trying to destroy a small rancher. It was a brilliant moment in American history that should remind the government that their power only goes so far and if they use unreasonable force they may be met with force.

The Michigan Militia appears to be done asking for reasonable action by the state in regards to Manke’s business and has drawn a line in the sand in front of Manke’s barbershop.

Manke has retained legal help with the Kallman Legal Group, which issued a statement, reported by Fox, claiming that the action by the state is illegal.


The government charged Karl with criminal misdemeanor violations for allegedly violating Governor Whitmer’s Executive Orders (EO). All the EOs issued by the governor after April 30, 2020, however, are illegal and unlawful because the Legislature refused to extend her declared state of emergency past that date. Governor Whitmer’s Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Robert Gordon, also improperly issued an “Imminent Danger and Abatement Order” against Mr. Manke on Friday, May 8, 2020. At the direction of the Michigan Attorney General, Dana Nessel, the DHHS Order was personally served on Karl at his barber shop by six Michigan State Police Officers. This order violates the public health code and has not been properly issued.


The lockdown orders are beginning to be challenged in courts across America as business owners grow desperate to feed their families and pay their employees. Some are risking jail, like salon-owner Shelley Luther in Dallas, who was released by order of the Supreme Court of Texas after an activist judge imprisoned her for defying lockdown orders. Manke has made it clear that nothing will stop him from cutting hair. “I don’t need the governor to be my mother,” he said. “I’ll be open until Jesus walks in or until they arrest me.”
Manke is sanitizing the shop between customers, limiting the number of people in the shop, wearing a mask, and sanitizing all clippers and combs with a UV light.

Update May 12, 10:41 a.m.: A Shiawassee County judge has denied the state’s request for a temporary restraining order against Manke. This will give his lawyers the opportunity to make the case in court for why the barbershop should remain open. Sheriff Brian Begole also issued a statement Monday saying he would not enforce the Attorney General’s order to shut down the shop. “With limited resources, staffing and facilities, our priority focus will be on enforcing duly passed laws for the protection of Shiawassee County citizens,” BeGole wrote. “I have decided, within my authority, that our office cannot and will not divert our primary resources and efforts towards enforcement of Governor Whitmer’s executive orders.” Manke still faces two counts of misdemeanor charges and over a $1000 fine.


https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politi...year-old-michigan-barber-who-reopened-n389860
 
“... shall not be infringed.”

Indeed American politicians are forgetting their own to the constitution which they promised under oath. If they wanted these lockdowns they would have done them accordingly to the law by voting for it not going around the constitution.
 
...

All the EOs issued by the governor after April 30, 2020, however, are illegal and unlawful because the Legislature refused to extend her declared state of emergency past that date.

...


All EOs issued before that date are also "illegal and unlawful" since government at no level possesses the legitimate authority to place entire populations under house arrest, close businesses etc. declarations of emergency notwithstanding.

Good on Karl Manke.

Resist and defy.

ETA: We need a LOT more of this kind of thing and in a god damned hurry.
 
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Is this where the shooting finally starts?


Gretchen Whitmer Targets 77-Year-Old Barber’s Livelihood, Strips Operating License ‘Without a Hearing’

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/...d-strips-operating-license-without-a-hearing/

Kyle Olson 13 May 2020

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is waging an increasingly high-profile battle against an elderly barber, and he appears to be winning in both the courts of law and public opinion.

Karl Manke, a 77-year-old from Owosso, reopened his shop after he was turned down for unemployment.

Amid the legal threats from Whitmer’s administration, he recently responded, “What are they going to give me? Life? I’ve got one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel. I could care less.”

“As long as I have two hands and I’m capable of cutting hair, that’s my occupation,” Manke said. “That’s what I do. That’s what I’m going to continue to do.”

Manke addressed supporters outside his shop on Monday.

“I’d gone six weeks without a paycheck with no money coming in. I’ve been in this business 59 years…I’m 77. I’ve always worked,” he said.

“I’ve never looked for handouts. I don’t even know what they are. I had somebody call me and say why don’t you get on food stamps. I don’t want to get on food stamps. I want to work.”

“I came into this last Monday alone, thinking I’m going to swing in the wind alone,” he said. “I cannot believe the support that I’ve got,” he added to cheers, with some responding, “You are not alone!”

“It’s overwhelming,” he added, getting choked up.

Another day, Manke made it clear he was going to defy Whitmer’s orders.

He told radio host Steve Gruber he will only leave his shop “if they drag me out in the street or Jesus comes.”

Manke’s levity is a striking contrast to Whitmer’s attempts to appear tough.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: "These executive orders are not a suggestion. They're not optional. They're not helpful hints." pic.twitter.com/ImffRfwPyb

— The Hill (@thehill) May 11, 2020

When asked specifically about Manke defying her edicts, Whitmer responded, “I expect people to follow the law. These executive orders are not a suggestion. They’re not optional. They’re not helpful hints.”

Despite failing to obtain a restraining order against the barber on Monday, Whitmer’s administration is continuing to pursue him in court.

The AG said:

The Attorney General’s court action, filed on behalf of MDHHS, seeks to enforce the MDHHS Director’s Public Health Order that deemed Mr. Manke’s business an imminent danger to public health in light of the COVID 19 pandemic and directs him to immediately cease operations at his barbershop. The State is seeking to schedule a hearing as soon as possible.

The AG asserted Manke’s open business presents “clear public health dangers.”

After the close of business on Tuesday, Whitmer’s administration stripped Manke of his operating license, his attorney said.

“Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has suspended Karl’s license,” attorney David Kallman told radio host Steve Gruber.

“Not thinking about it, they’ve actually done it without a hearing, without any due process,” he added, saying the action took place some time after 5:00 p.m.

“It’s an unbelievable abuse of power,” Kallman said, arguing there’s no legal basis for the action.

“This is pure retribution by the governor’s office and by the AG. This is so petty and vindictive, it’s beyond the pale,” he told Gruber.

According Kallman, the AG claimed one of the reasons for the license suspension was because Manke was violating the temporary restraining order–which was never granted.
 
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