Sign this landmark State of Michigan Veterans Civil Rights petition that many in the City and County of Saginaw are trying to quash.

In the State of Michigan, "marriage status" and "Misdemeanor Arrest Record" are considered protected classes. Even "Felony Arrest Records" are protected in many housing situations. However, veterans like myself do not enjoy this level of protection.

It is essential that we address this disparity urgently. Our veterans have served our country bravely and deserve better treatment upon their return home. They should not have to face discrimination or abuse due to their status as veterans, or because of the campaign they were a part of while serving.

I am a veteran, and my family has been subjected to numerous human rights and civil rights abuses. We have even been retaliated upon legally. As a poor, disabled, older veteran, it's easy to retaliate against me in mental health care or medical care or just simply ignore me. If we call the police someone may retaliate (criminals or unsympathetic police/prosecutors), so silence and suffering is thrust upon veterans like me. It's easy for powerful or financially secure people to gaslight us. We are subject to lots of PTSD jokes anyway. I have begun digging into the ways veterans are being abused and have had my eyes opened, I am not alone.

We call on the Attorney General and Governor of Michigan to open the door to amending the state constitution through an Executive Order making veterans a protected class beyond just employment scenarios. They are already protected through employment via federal employment rights protections. This change will provide much-needed protection for our veterans from potential human rights abuses. They sometimes are a vulnerable class. We are supposed to have "righted" the wrongs done to our beloved Vietnam veterans, but have we truly?

Please sign this petition if you believe that our brave men and women who served should receive equal protection under law as other groups do in Michigan.