***MEDIA ADVISORY***
***EMBARGOED UNTIL 1 PM, DEC. 18, 2019***
WHAT:
In a press conference Wednesday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan (ACLU) and attorney Richard Schulte with the law firm Wright & Schulte, LLC will announce legal action against Lenawee County to protect an Old Order Amish community’s way of life according to their religion.
After harassing this Amish community for years, county officials are violating the community’s constitutional and civil rights by condemning and threatening to demolish every Amish-owned home in the county, which would effectively expel an entire faith community from its borders. The Amish, who live in accordance with their religious beliefs by abstaining from using electricity, hydraulic power, running water, and other modern technology, face expulsion from Lenawee County as a result of lawsuits that local officials filed against them last month.
WHO:
Phil Mayor, senior staff attorney at ACLU of Michigan
Richard Schulte, partner at Wright & Schulte, LLC
Clients will also be present.
WHEN:
Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 1 p.m.
WHERE:
Amish home located at: 9253 Ranger Highway, Morenci, MI 49256
SPECIAL MEDIA INSTRUCTIONS:
The Amish community will allow media to take photos and video of their feet, and of themselves with their backs facing the camera only. Please do not shoot full-body front-facing shots or show their faces. You may also document their property, including their homes, horses, and buggies.
This press conference will also be live-streamed on the ACLU of Michigan Facebook page.