YPSILANTI, MI – People with felony convictions cannot be discriminated against in Ypsilanti in a new addition to the city’s non-discrimination ordinance that passed Tuesday.
Ypsilanti City Council voted unanimously to make ex-offenders a city-protected class at its meeting on March 3. Elected officials said the move will help returning citizens reintegrate into society and address racial disparities.
Speakers during public comment said felony convictions are particularly challenging to finding employment and housing after returning from prison or parole. Several said a felony conviction can often act as a discrimination tactic as a proxy for race since incarceration rates for people of color and whites are disproportionate.
The ordinance allows for exceptions if the conviction directly relates to safety or another direct relationship between the offense and the job, housing or other opportunity. Councilman Steve Wilcoxen said some residents were concerned about sex offenders, but he noted those on the sex offender registry already have limitations in place of where they can live and work.
I am going to get a copy of the ordinance and propose it to my City Council! I would like my beloved city to be this progressive and reform-minded! And I’ll try to partner with local criminal reform & post-incarceration non-profits. 👍
(Hell, if Ypsalanti, MI can do it, a city in California definitely should be able to do it! No offense, Ypsi!)
“Councilman Steve Wilcoxen said some residents were concerned about sex offenders, but he noted those on the sex offender registry already have limitations in place of where they can live and work.”
We need to make this guy aware of the recent victory by the Michigan ACLU for all registrants in that state. Guess what, Councilman Wilcoxen, those restrictions are UNCONSTITUTIONAL! People like this need to be voted out of office IMHO.
His contact info. can be found here: https://cityofypsilanti.com/323/Elected-Officials
Since there was discussion on recidivism rates, sending them sex offender recidivism rates versus others would be appropriate… Go Mi.
“Councilman Steve Wilcoxen said some residents were concerned about sex offenders, but he noted those on the sex offender registry already have limitations in place of where they can live and work.”
You can really see the learned hysteria towards the person on the registry. No one was concerned about the arsonists who set fires that destroyed thousands of homes and wildlife, nor the meth or crack dealers that have the highest recidivism rate of all convicts, not the armed robber, or habitual domestic violence abuser, nor the person with multiple DUI’s’ but lordy, lordy that person that had sex on their mind at some time in the past…unforgivable.
And OF COURSE we’re immune, exempt and insulated from this feel-good initiative. Everyone is trying SO hard to make this world less hateful, vindictive and toxic, but somehow we’re predicatively excluded from that phenomena.
It all boils down to nobody wants the negative exposure, outrage and backlash from pulling out the first block in this sacrosanct Jenga tower.
Ugh.
The scary thing recently is all these ppl making Facebook groups posting sex offenders on it no matter the offense. Facebook says there is nothing against these groups to take them down but people are posting it with addresses stating people should get murdered burn there houses forgetting some made dumb choice but have become healthy members of society with children. How do we protect ourselves??? We can’t have weapons but someone comes and tries to hurt my family or home we’re suppose to sit and let it happen. This is Not fair by chance? Why don’t thieves, murders have a registration or have to wear Tethers I think it’s time for A change or uproar
Like this one :exposing Michigan offenders Facebook so we have no right even after we did our time this registry is hurtful and harmful period how many people have to die and get hurt before something is done