Fighting for Civil Rights & the Administration of Justice

While our nation was founded on the principles of equality, justice, and freedom for all, the struggle for civil rights and true equality continues today. Whether it is ensuring equal access to the ballot box, equality in our justice system or equal treatment under the law, Gary is fighting to make our democracy stronger and fairer for everyone. Every Michigan voter should have the freedom to have his or her voice heard in our elections. Gary is committed to supporting commonsense efforts to modernize our voter registration system, reduce long wait times to vote and prohibit deceptive practices that could discourage voting. With the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a vital part of the Voting Rights Act, Gary is committed to restoring the law and make sure it protects Michiganders.

Gary has also worked with civil rights groups and law enforcement organizations to address the tough issues confronting our nation today. Gary has secured funding for Project Safe Neighborhood, which is a proven program that uses data-driven strategies to successfully reduce gun and drug related violence in communities all across Michigan. He knows how important it is for communities and law enforcement to come together to make our neighborhoods safer places and is working to help provide the resources needed to intervene and prevent violence.

Too many precious lives have been lost to injustice and inequities persist. Civil unrest in our communities has underscored that the fact that our justice system faces serious challenges – from unsustainable costs to overcrowded prisons to disparities in the grand jury process. In too many instances – and particularly in communities of color – our justice system has failed. It has been over 50 years since our country’s criminal justice system last had a comprehensive, top-to-bottom review. That is why Gary is working with Senators on both sides of the aisle to enact legislation that would create a National Criminal Justice Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of our criminal justice system and identify best practices to protect public safety, promote fairness and strengthen faith in our justice system. This effort to create the Commission passed the Senate in 2018 and has since been reintroduced by Gary.

No Michigan family should be discriminated against – period. Gary supported the Supreme Court’s historic decision affirming that every American has the right to marry the person they love and raise a family without fear that they will one day be torn apart. But LGBTQ+ Americans across the country still lack many legal protections afforded to other Americans. Gary wants to fix the patchwork of anti-discrimination laws that leave millions of Americans without a clear right to rent an apartment, eat at a restaurant, apply for a credit card or keep their jobs simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.