(WWJ) Saying, "all jobs are essential," the organizer of protests that have drawn the national media and thousands of angry residents to Lansing in recent weeks are putting together another display of dissatisfaction with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's Stay Home, Stay Safe order.
This time, it's about hair.
The Michigan Conservative Coalition is asking people to come together for "Operation Haircut," which they say takes on one of the most needed personal services shut down by Governor Whitmer’s "irrational and non-science based orders."
It will bring free haircuts to the Michigan Capitol lawn on May 20 starting at noon. And these aren't just any haircuts: They're calling them freedom cuts and describing them as "short on the sides and freedom on the top."
Operation Haircut is inspired by Owosso, Mich., barber Karl Manke, 77, who refused to shut down his business amid the pandemic and was ticketed by Michigan State Police and ordered to close his business or lose his license. Manke said he needed to keep his business open to pay his bills, and he got support from hundreds of people who lined up for cuts in defiance of Whitmer's executive orders that include barbers among non-essential workers. Barbershops, beauty salons, spas, bars, restaurants, offices, car dealerships, movie theaters, are shuttered until at least May 28, when the current order expires. Schools are closed for at least the rest of this school year.
“Michigan’s small business owners are patriotic and law abiding citizens, but enough is enough,” said Marian Sheridan, a co-founder of the Michigan Conservative Coalition. “Dope shops are open, abortion mills churn on, but barber shops are, somehow, unsafe.
“Operation Haircut is designed to demonstrate the insanity still rampant in Lansing,” Sheridan added.
Those attending or getting a freedom cut will be encouraged to comply with social distancing and other safe practices, such as using face coverings. Flag waving is encouraged. Volunteer barbers will have chairs and safe equipment to provide haircuts.
But Sheridan admits it's not really about hair. The display of follicle freedom is really about creating a forum to redress grievances.
“Citizens are tired of being treated like babies,” said Meshawn Maddock, Chair of the 11th District Republican Committee. “As adults, we know what needs to be done to stay safe. Any citizen has the right to participate, or not participate, in Operation Haircut. Lansing elites love to tell everyone else how to live. That is not freedom. Citizens are fed up. Join us in Lansing on May 20. Get a free haircut and then let’s get Michigan back to work, before it is too late.”
This announcement comes one day after protesters took over the Capitol for at least the third time in recent weeks. There were fears after the last protest seemed to have a disproportionate number of angry men carrying guns around the seat of Michigan's governmental power, but yesterday's protest on a chilly and rainy day was mostly peaceful.
Most of the people who spoke to WWJ's Charlie Langton said they were there to peacefully protest coronavirus-related executive orders by Whitmer; although members of one "militia" group said they came armed with the goal "to keep the peace." (More on that here).
"We are here as observers," said the Barry County man, with a rifle trapped to his chest. waving a black and white Gadsden flag. "We are here to keep the peace and make sure everybody has a right to peacefully assemble. We are here to make sure that everybody here stays peaceful."
Notably, Michigan State Police were there for the same reason.