Photo: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer holds a briefing on Aug. 5, 2020.
by: WOODTV.com staff
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — In a Wednesday morning briefing, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called out racism as 'a public health crisis' and signed an executive order creating the Black Leadership Advisory Council.
Whitmer said the council’s mission will be to develop, review and recommend policies that combat discrimination and inequity.
She announced the moves at a morning briefing alongside Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, the state’s chief medical executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun and Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley.
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist noted, “It is not enough to simply label an injustice. We have to actively take steps to replace injustice with justice."
Additionally, Governor Whitmer referenced broad inequities but also coronavirus, which has disproportionately affected people of color. Gilchrist is heading up a task force on the racial inequities of the state’s outbreak.
The governor started the press conference by criticizing the federal government’s response to coronavirus, saying there has been no comprehensive plan and again calling on President Donald Trump to issue a nationwide mask mandate.
Later, Whitmer called on the Trump administration and Congress to work together to pass another coronavirus relief package, which has been tied up amid partisan disputes.
More: WOOD TV.COM