Hello and Happy New Year! Please note the information from the Attorney General, below, on protesting and picketing rights and on associated legal issues. This information is aimed at law enforcement, but it is a good reminder of the rights relating to these constitutionally protected activities. Libraries should consult their attorneys with respect to questions or policies addressing these activities. Thanks! Clare Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D. Library Law Consultant Library of Michigan MembielaC@michigan.gov<mailto:MembielaC@michigan.gov> 517-335-8132 The research and resources above are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. "the State may not, consistently with the spirit of the First Amendment, contract the spectrum of available knowledge." Griswold v. Connecticut, 381 U.S. 479, 482 (1965). [Michigan.gov/Vote logo Description automatically generated]<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/>Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/>. From: Michigan Department of Attorney General <MIAG@govsubscriptions.michigan.gov> Sent: Monday, January 6, 2025 1:23 PM To: Membiela, Clare (MDE) <MembielaC@michigan.gov> Subject: AG Nessel Issues Protest, Picketing Guidance to Law Enforcement The guidance outlines state and federal laws concerning protest and picketing actions. Share or view as webpage<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Faccounts%2FMIAG%2Fbulletins%2F3cafb20/1/010101943cdb4976-1e3ac811-0fa6-4821-af84-46e7d70880c5-000000/B1XHGd5pfiDj8_oPJLuLd0ogseTu_gvIowCEplrCrA8=386> | Unsubscribe<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fpublic.govdelivery.com%2Faccounts%2FMIAG%2Fsubscriber%2Fone_click_unsubscribe%3Fverification=5.ab59200ab9eceae8d3b368a8f99db241%26destination=membielac%2540michigan.gov/1/010101943cdb4976-1e3ac811-0fa6-4821-af84-46e7d70880c5-000000/Wfmx0ZO_0tEkK9vU2siZwU868owZLXjRiYcocamb1eQ=386> [Michigan Department of Attorney General Press Release banner]<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.michigan.gov%2Fagnews/1/010101943cdb4976-1e3ac811-0fa6-4821-af84-46e7d70880c5-000000/87WCFdo--dmeGFOma60l_dvGAJ06pncuG10PSJTwmqw=386> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 6, 2025 Media Contact: Danny Wimmer<mailto:agpress@michigan.gov> AG Nessel Issues Protest, Picketing Guidance to Law Enforcement LANSING - Today, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a letter to law enforcement across the state (PDF)<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.michigan.gov%2Fag%2F-%2Fmedia%2FProject%2FWebsites%2FAG%2Freleases%2F2025%2FJanuary%2FFirst-Amendment-and-Protest-Activity-Final.pdf/1/010101943cdb4976-1e3ac811-0fa6-4821-af84-46e7d70880c5-000000/lhLdTsfP4H73-cFNdayG6okvri1O4wdQ0AVDDAW6KYs=386> and a video<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv=cRDUPh5R6lo/1/010101943cdb4976-1e3ac811-0fa6-4821-af84-46e7d70880c5-000000/0KHORczFb6l6dr-OsDqJDCLP9o5dXfeQuIFKdnPEg-A=386>, outlining state and federal laws concerning protest and picketing actions and how they relate to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The full memorandum (PDF)<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.michigan.gov%2Fag%2F-%2Fmedia%2FProject%2FWebsites%2FAG%2Freleases%2F2025%2FJanuary%2FMemo-AG-re-Protest-Final.pdf/1/010101943cdb4976-1e3ac811-0fa6-4821-af84-46e7d70880c5-000000/qu_7fUiU6Kcz_jkMP9xsKlpodjByjp_z5PUpwwBjfmw=386> can be viewed on the Department of Attorney General's website. "I anticipate that 2025 will be a year of increased exercise of these rights, and citizen protests are likely to play a large part of our national discourse," Nessel said. "That is why I am issuing this legal guidance to support our law enforcement agencies and lawmakers in navigating situations where constitutionally protected speech may conflict with state laws and local ordinances designed to protect the public." The letter emphasizes the importance of ensuring that laws and regulations governing the exercise of free speech and other First Amendment rights are well understood by both law enforcement agencies and the public. It addresses key instances of protest and picket regulation, such as: * Campaign and protest activity around voting locations; * Protesting at private residences; * Protesting at public schools and universities; medical facilities; funeral and burial sites, and government facilities such as courthouses, jails, and police stations; and * Activities at the Michigan State Capitol. "While we are issuing this guidance with an eye toward the most common or frequent incidents likely to be encountered by law enforcement officials, matters of First Amendment rights and government regulation of constitutionally protected speech are incredibly fact-dependent, and there is no one-size-fits-all-scenarios analysis," Nessel continued. "This guidance relies on the good judgment of law enforcement as well as prosecutors, to ensure that rights are protected on any side of a political protest." The letter aims to educate and spur conversations among the Department of Attorney General, law enforcement officials, and local prosecutors. By proactively considering these protections, regulations, statutes, and rights, the Attorney General seeks to ensure that constitutional rights and personal safety of all are robustly protected. While her office will continue to manage ongoing prosecutions, including those stemming from the clearing of The Diag at the University of Michigan last spring, Attorney General Nessel hopes the letter serves as a roadmap for local prosecutors to properly handle such incidents in the future. ### [AG logo]<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.michigan.gov%2Fag/1/010101943cdb4976-1e3ac811-0fa6-4821-af84-46e7d70880c5-000000/3v4IVQ-Uiog2o3LN0Cr6NZnBmh-oKYM3n9HBQbA15R8=386> Media Inquiries<mailto:agpress@michigan.gov> Latest Releases<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.michigan.gov%2Fag%2Fnews%2Fpress-releases/1/010101943cdb4976-1e3ac811-0fa6-4821-af84-46e7d70880c5-000000/h-MOwQDK5oWL1xJ0cAGidP-MD1OGdzjGu-0XG8HvcFQ=386> File a Complaint<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.michigan.gov%2Fagcomplaints/1/010101943cdb4976-1e3ac811-0fa6-4821-af84-46e7d70880c5-000000/3bC7IFUmYswuVX5FDeYEaKt5LC_M4U2_tE9RIqxkpic=386> Connect with us: [facebook icon]<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMIAttorneyGeneral%2F/1/010101943cdb4976-1e3ac811-0fa6-4821-af84-46e7d70880c5-000000/vOeCPFhYGuQ7AeYMvFQz83lN2-XIgQ_Ou-z81ulkyKA=386> [x icon]<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FMIAttyGen/1/010101943cdb4976-1e3ac811-0fa6-4821-af84-46e7d70880c5-000000/XWZCTsjiERxGW7Iy4bHVla3_rm_ox2xEt9yemC9NhTs=386> [youtube icon]<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fchannel%2FUCa9OAVS298maexSNJ0iOPNQ/1/010101943cdb4976-1e3ac811-0fa6-4821-af84-46e7d70880c5-000000/pzfwUHOXzY3O04qDiAk95wYI1tBdvFsUfmTTX3n79BU=386> [instagram icon]<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fmiattygen%2F%3Fhl=en/1/010101943cdb4976-1e3ac811-0fa6-4821-af84-46e7d70880c5-000000/Gs1rZv3Rqj-tL1fEEDTo7m685we4cheT8fDv0HGY-C0=386> [linkedin icon]<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fmiattorneygeneral/1/010101943cdb4976-1e3ac811-0fa6-4821-af84-46e7d70880c5-000000/RkyByXRoN7O5o9tb474WBeASZK8-6A_FK1CanI799mY=386> [govdelivery icon]<mailto:agpress@michigan.gov> [threads icon]<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.threads.net%2F@miattygen/1/010101943cdb4976-1e3ac811-0fa6-4821-af84-46e7d70880c5-000000/jAcpfp0ZMMTseDnWFTFhWbwaUwQA3clRwtrDWU_5yp4=386> If you wish to no longer receive emails from us, please update your preferences here: Manage Preferences<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fpublic.govdelivery.com%2Faccounts%2FMIDNR%2Fsubscribers%2Fnew%3Fpreferences=true%3F/1/010101943cdb4976-1e3ac811-0fa6-4821-af84-46e7d70880c5-000000/b1qcIryC06NDz6dhcDGJK7pp2qO2OO9ktUgWkBz697A=386> | Delete Profile<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fpublic.govdelivery.com%2Faccounts%2FMIAG%2Fsubscriber%2Fone_click_unsubscribe%3Fverification=5.ab59200ab9eceae8d3b368a8f99db241%26destination=membielac%2540michigan.gov/2/010101943cdb4976-1e3ac811-0fa6-4821-af84-46e7d70880c5-000000/_zFUZzHRtVKrcntsg5EzYTG7uShg-Ia1x8NiQHDSv1c=386> Need further assistance? 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