(WWJ/AP) A judge has dismissed disorderly conduct charges against six hair stylists who were ticketed last spring during a protest at the Michigan Capitol.
The women were cutting hair to protest Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's decision to keep barber shops and salons closed for nearly three months because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Giving free "freedom cuts" described "short on the sides and freedom on the top," the alleged offenders were part of "Operation Haircut" held on May 20, 2020, in defiance of Whitmer's :Stay Home, Stay Safe: executive order.
The women — who police said kept cutting on the Capitol lawn and steps, after they were ordered by officers to stop — argued in court that the tickets had to be dismissed.
The state Supreme Court in October said many Whitmer orders were issued under a law that was deemed unconstitutional, and were therefore invalid.
Lansing District Judge Kristen Simmons granted the request, about a week after, separately, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office announced it would dismiss hundreds of cases brought against businesses alleged to have violated Whitmer's COVID-19 orders last year.
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Michigan barbers and hair stylists emerged as activists early on in the pandemic, mostly because of the defiance of Karl Manke, the Owosso barber who reopened his shop last May and taunted state authorities.
Manke briefly lost his business license, but it was reinstated after the Supreme Court ruled in his favor.
This news comes about a week after, separately, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office announced it would dismiss hundreds of cases brought against businesses that were alleged to have violated Whitmer's COVID-19 orders last year.