Judge dismisses charges against Michigan hair stylists who defied and protested Gov. Whitmer's lockdown ordershttps://www.theblaze.com/news/judge-dismisses-charges-michigan-hair-stylists-protest-whitmerLast spring, hair stylists gathered at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing for "Operation Haircut" to support 77-year-old barber Karl Manke, who faced charges after defying Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's coronavirus lockdown orders by keeping his barbershop open.
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Though the charges against Manke were dropped in October shortly after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that Whitmer's executive orders were unconstitutional, the hair stylists who dared protest the governor were still facing charges of disorderly conduct for operating an illegal profession or business.
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When Monday's hearing began, Lansing District Court Judge Kristen Simmons said, "No one from the Attorney General's Office has appeared," MLive said, which led Kallman to request that the charges be dismissed "with prejudice," meaning the charges cannot be filed again later.
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Judge Simmons agreed.
"They failed to appear so they failed to prosecute on this matter, so I will grant your motion to dismiss," she said, according to MLive.
Since no one from the AG's office even bothered to show up, these hair stylists should file an anti-SLAPP lawsuit against the AG and Goobernor. This frivolous prosecution was clearly aimed at their political speech and ability to speak.
