MICHIGAN LIBERATION ENDORSES BERNSTEIN & BOLDEN FOR THE MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT RACE 

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - Michigan Liberation is announcing its endorsement of two Michigan Supreme Court candidates:

Richard Bernstein, Michigan Supreme Court

Kyra H. Bolden, Michigan Supreme Court

 We made the decision to endorse Justice Richard Bernstein based on his commitment to:

• Equal justice, voting rights, and abortion rights.
• Protecting our right to vote on abortion and democracy ballot measures.
• Advocacy for disability rights.
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             We made the decision to endorse Kyra H. Bolden based on her commitment to:

• Work on criminal justice issues and protect survivors.
• Support civil rights, voting rights, and reproductive rights.
• Helping those who have been wrongfully imprisoned.
• Supporting economic development.

"The U.S Supreme Court, The Michigan Supreme Court, and all other courts are not above accountability. As a community, it is our job to assess judges and take the initiative to hold them accountable. At Michigan Liberation, we understand that accountability is much more than the actions we take before November 8; It's a year-round effort. We look forward to moving towards a shared objective of ending mass incarceration, mass policing, and investing in community members with intentions to see them thrive instead of simply surviving." says Alexandria Hughes, Supreme Court Organizer with Michigan Liberation.

Located in the Detroit metro area, Michigan Liberation is a nonprofit organization that works to end mass incarceration and mass policing through campaigns and the leadership development of those directly impacted by the criminal legal system. The organization was formed in 2018 and conducted grassroots organizing, lobbying, and supporting candidates that share their vision for the state of Michigan. Michigan Liberation has operated a successful Bail Out Program since 2019. They are a part of a national network of organizations working to draw attention to the problem of cash bail that affects low-income individuals, especially low-level offenses.

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Michigan Liberation is organizing to end the criminalization of Black families and communities of color in Michigan. We envision a transformation of our criminal justice system that will no longer produce mass incarceration or mass policing. We envision a state with the best public education in the nation, single-payer healthcare, which includes excellent mental health and healing services, and thriving Black and Brown communities. Michigan Liberation conducts grassroots organizing and lobbying and supports candidates that share our vision for Michigan.

General Facts about the MI Supreme Court:

• The Supreme Court is Michigan's court of last resort, consisting of seven justices. 
• Justices serve 8-year terms and can run for re-election until they're 70 years of age.
• The Supreme Court is responsible for the general administrative supervision of all courts in the state, establishes rules for practice and procedure in all courts; and Each year, the Supreme Court receives over 2,000 applications for leave to appeal from litigants primarily seeking review of decisions by the Michigan Court of Appeals.
• The Supreme Court also establishes rules for practice and procedure in all courts.

Michigan Supreme Court Demographic information:

• nine people who identify as women have served on the Michigan Supreme Court, and 0 individuals of non-binary identity.
• Five African Americans have served on the seven-member court in its 218-year history (all 5 were males). 

To learn more, visit the links below: 

 "Who are the five candidates running for Michigan Supreme Court?"

 "About Candidate Kyra H. Bolden."

 "About Candidate Richard Bernstein"

"About the Current Michigan Supreme Court."

"The Michigan Supreme Court – A Brief History."