
3

"Site of a chaotic April 30 day in Lansing, the state government building became the focal point of intense protests and legislative confrontation: armed demonstrators flooded the grounds and largely ignored social-distancing guidance while lawmakers debated reauthorizing the governor’s state of emergency. The unrest coincided with judicial activity and national attention, prompted tweets from the president, and led the legislature’s Republican majority to issue a resolution to pursue legal action against the governor; in response to the demonstrations the governor loosened some shelter-in-place restrictions. Overall, the location served as the stage for heated public demonstrations and a high-profile dispute over pandemic-related executive authority." - Brenna Houck