Michigan’s stay-at-home order imposed during the coronavirus outbreak does not infringe on constitutional rights, according to a judge’s ruling that threw out a lawsuit filed against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Court of Claims Judge Christopher M. Murray denied granting an injunction of the governor’s March 24th order requested in the lawsuit filed by five state residents.
Judge Murray, however, said the residents’ claims that the order infringed on their constitutional rights were not strong enough due to the severity of the pandemic.
Michigan’s stay-at-home orders imposed during the coronavirus outbreak do not infringe on constitutional rights, according to a judge’s ruling that threw out a lawsuit filed against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Whitmer addressed the state during a speech in Langsing Wednesday
Reversing the order ‘would not serve the public interest, despite the temporary harm to plaintiffs’ constitutional rights,’ wrote the judge in the court ruling.
‘Although the Court is painfully aware of the difficulties of living under the restrictions of these executive orders, those difficulties are temporary, while to those who contract the virus and cannot recover (and to their family members and friends), it is all too permanent,’ the judge wrote, reports ABC News.
The ruling came down as armed demonstrators have descended on the state’s capitol demanding Michigan be reopened.
Lawmakers wearing bullet-proof vests on Thursday rejected Whitmer’s request to extend Michigan’s state of emergency declaration.
The ruling came down as armed demonstrators descended on the state’s capitol demanding Michigan be reopened. A protester yells at Michigan State Police after protesters occupied the state capitol building Thursday
A protestor comes yells in the faces of Michigan State Police Thursday as armed demonstrators entered the state’s capitol to demand Michigan be reopened
In Michigan, guns are permitted inside the state’s Capitol as long as they are visible and carried with lawful intent.
Protesters, who weren’t wearing masks, were seen yelling within inches of officers from the Michigan State Police.
Michigan has had 40,399 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, which has been blamed for at least 3,670 related deaths.
Across the US there have been 1,079,244 confirmed of cases of the coronavirus and 62,547 related deaths.
Across the US there have been 1,079,244 confirmed of cases of the coronavirus and 62,547 related deaths
A look at the number of new coronavirus cases in the US over time
A look at the number of new coronavirus infections in the US over time
A day-to-day look at the number of deaths in the US attributed to the coronavirus
Demonstrations targeting Whitmer have been staged for weeks by protesters insisting the governor reopen the state and its economy.
Whitmer has resisted, saying that she is following state health guidelines and that she will continue pushing social distancing until the virus has ended its run.
The residents who sued Whitmer claimed an ‘Emergency Management Act’ extending the governor’s powers in a state of emergency is ‘an unconstitutional delegation of legislative power,’
Demonstrations targeting Whitmer have been staged for weeks by protesters demanding the governor reopen the state and its economy. A protester waves an American flag outside of the governor’s mansion earlier this month
Judge Murray, however, ruled that the act has specific rules and procedures for declaring a state of emergency.
Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel agreed with the judge’s decision.
‘This pandemic has already taken more than 3,600 lives in Michigan and many more around the world,’ she said in a statement, reports ABC News.
‘The primary goal of the Stay Home, Stay Safe order has always been to protect human life.’