Four Michigan residents are suing Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over her stay-at-home order, alleging it clashes with both state and federal law.
While Whitmer had the authority to issue the order, the mandate is overreaching, the attorney representing the quartet said.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges Whitmer’s order infringes on the residents’ rights “to associate with friends and family and utilize their private property.” It also states that a person’s choice to maintain human relationships and associate with other individuals under the First Amendment “must be secured against undue intrusion by the State.”
Helm is seeking relief under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.
The Fifth Amendment states: “No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
The Fourteenth Amendment states in part: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
One of the four people suing is a landscaper who owns his own company. Because landscaping wasn’t included under the business categories deemed “essential,” the man was forced to lay off his 15 workers.
Another client can’t visit his long-time girlfriend because they don’t live together. The two others are a married couple who can’t return to their house because, when Whitmer’s order took effect, they were in their cabin.
“We are not arguing for political dissidence or any sort of protest. What we are saying, is that people have the right to associate with their friends and family. And that is being unjustly infringed.”
A representative of Whitmer told news outlets that the governor wouldn’t be commenting on pending litigation.
Helm hopes to obtain a temporary restraining order on the governor’s order.
It drew widespread criticism from residents and officials, including U.S. Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.), who said the order “goes too far and will erode confidence in her leadership.”
