NMU students planning protest in opposition of Governor Snyder
Some Northern Michigan University students, Flint residents, and other community groups will join together May 5th in protest of Governor Snyder according to a press release sent to TV6 and FOX UP.
Snyder is the May 2018 Commencement speaker for NMU’s graduation ceremony.
Beginning at 8:30 a.m., students and community groups will begin to protest along Presque Isle and Fair Aves, by the entrances to the Superior Dome where commencement will be held.
At 10 a.m., some of the protesters and graduating seniors plan to stand and turn their backs on Governor Snyder during his address.
“As a resident of Michigan and future educator I am protesting for the thousands of children poisoned by the Flint water crisis that Governor Rick Snyder is directly responsible for,” said graduating education major Katerina Klawes.
“This isn’t about any person’s political affiliation,” said graduating senior Nathan Frischkorn. “This is primarily about the fact that a city full of American citizens has been without clean water for over four years. The Governor of this state is ultimately responsible for the well-being of citizens of this state, and has utterly failed in his responsibilities to the people of Flint.”
After NMU’s administration announced the selection of Snyder as Commencement speaker a group was formed of students and faculty who were opposed to the decision.
“As a resident of Michigan and future educator I am protesting for the thousands of children poisoned by the Flint water crisis that Governor Rick Snyder is directly responsible for,” said graduating education major Katerina Klawes.
Gina Luster, of Flint Rising, a coalition that helps Flint residents directly impacted by the water crisis, said, “It is an honor for me, and Flint Rising to stand in solidarity with the NMU students. This is the type of courage and integrity that it takes to move the State of Michigan from under the dark cloud that Snyder and his administration has left on our beautiful state.”
Luster added, “Lets not give a man a platform to speak at their commencement, who not only poisoned an entire city, but denied and lied about the role he had in it.”
TV6 and FOX UP have reached out to NMU Administration for comment and left a voicemail.
This is a developing story that TV6 and FOX UP are following closely and will update this story with the latest information as it becomes available.
