[nfbmi-talk] Urgent: We will Picket in lansing TOMORROW

[Fred Wurtzel]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:   
Larry Posont, President
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan 
(517) 482-1800

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan to Hold Protest

Lansing, Michigan (May 19, 2010): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
of Michigan will again take to the streets of Lansing on Thursday, May 20,
to protest what it feels is an atmosphere of cover-up, secrecy, and
intimidation by Patrick Cannon, director of the Michigan Commission for the
Blind.  The NFB of Michigan alleges violations by the Michigan Commission
for the Blind of the Michigan Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of
Information Act, as well as improper firings of blind staff members for
membership in the NFB and wrongful dismissal of a commission board member.  

The picket will be held at noon on Thursday at the headquarters of the
Michigan Commission for the Blind at 201 N. Washington Square. 

The NFB of Michigan has requested a copy of an audit of the commission
conducted by the Rehabilitation Services Administration.  Commission staff,
including the director, have referred to the document several times in
public meetings, yet deny existence of the document.  The commission board
went into closed session to discuss issues raised by the NFB.  None of the
items purported to be discussed were exempt from the Michigan Open Meetings
Act.  

"The business of the Michigan Commission for the Blind is not classified
information," said Larry Posont, president of the National Federation of the
Blind of Michigan.  "This is a public agency with public funds; there is no
conceivable reason to cover anything up.  We thought this administration
stood for openness and transparency in the conduct of taxpayer business."

The NFB of Michigan also believes that blind entrepreneurs who operate food
service businesses in state buildings have been removed from their jobs for
being leaders in advocacy on behalf of blind business operators.  

"It seems beyond coincidence that every time a Federation member is elected
to lead blind people, they lose their jobs," said Terry Eagle, an advocate
in the NFB of Michigan.  "Pat Cannon's bullying and intimidation needs to
stop.  We will not stop until blind people can work without fear of unfair
and illegal removal from their jobs." 

 

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About the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan

The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan (NFBM) is a proud affiliate
of the National Federation of the Blind.  Originally founded in 1941, the
NFBM has been a leader in advocacy and has worked tirelessly to change what
it means to be blind in Michigan.  Among our accomplishments: bringing
NFB-NEWSLINER to Michigan, establishing the Michigan Commission for the
Blind, white cane legislation, Braille literacy for blind children
legislation, and much more.