EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Last month’s decision to find the East Lansing Police Department under the leadership of Chief Jennifer Brown racially discriminated against two men in August will stand.
The Human Rights Commission voted 6-0 to reaffirm their finding from April 13. Commissioner Rebecca Kasen was recused because of a volunteer relationship with the Honey Bear Project, a nonprofit run by the mother of Lonnie Smith, one of the two Black men who filed the complaints.
The HRC voted in favor of the following motion:
In violation of Chapter 22, Article 2, Section 22-31 we find that Mr. Smith and Mr. Woods were denied the enjoyment of their civil rights because of their race/color by the East Lansing Police Department under the leadership of Chief Jennifer Brown. The findings are issued in furtherance of the city’s declared policy to eliminate discrimination, to promote mutual understanding and respect amongst all persons, and to insure that public institutions operate in a manner consistent with the civil and human rights of every member of the community…