The Michigan Legislative Black Caucus will hold a press conference today at noon with the Reverend Jesse Jackson in Benton Harbor.
Also in attendance will be Congressman John Conyers and Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero.
Joe Harris, the city's state-appointed emergency manager, recently stripped power from local officials in Benton Harbor under the state's new emergency manager law.
The group says they will work to uphold voting rights as they plan to challenge the legality of the Emergency Manager law.
Fred Durhal, the chair of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, said they "oppose this Draconian legislation.":
"Our coalition is prepared to ask the Justice Department to review this legislation and we will fight litigation to challenge its constitutionality," said Durhal.
Reverend Jesse Jackson is quoted in the media advisory saying, "the wind from Benton Harbor is blowing toward Detroit. This legislation usurps democracy by taking away voters rights in Michigan. Our constitution protects democracy, this inalienable right is non-negotiable."Correction: A previous headline for this story read "Michigan's Legislative Black Caucus mounting challenge to emergency manager law," since no action has been taken yet, we've revised the headline to read "Michigan's Legislative Black Caucus say they'll challenge the emergency manager law"
