Public Media from Michigan State University

Bipartisan Support For Non-Cooperation With Detention Without Charges

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Republicans and Democrats are supporting a bill that says state and local law enforcement in Michigan should not cooperate if federal authorities try to detain someone without a warrant.

The measure just cleared a state Senate committee with bipartisan support.

The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Rick Pluta reports.

Both the Bush and the Obama administrations have claimed the wartime authority to detain some suspects indefinitely without filing criminal charges. The Michigan legislation is a response to that.

State Senator Rick Jones, a Republican, sponsored the bill.

“We’re asserting here today that the federal government will not grab somebody and hold them without charges and, if they do, we will not assist them,”  he says.

The American Civil Liberties Union hopes if enough states enact non-cooperation laws, the Obama administration will reverse the policy.

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Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.