Opinion
Owosso, Michigan –-(Ammoland.com)- Members of the Michigan Militia are determined to keep a 77-year-old Owosso barber open for business despite Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s order to keep businesses across the state closed during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Karl Manke decided to endure multiple fines and risk arrest to open his barbershop for business. The senior citizen decided to open to customers because he believes that the state is violating his right to work. He chose to stand up to what he sees as an overbearing government instead of continuing to comply with the Governor’s order.
“I’ve lived under 14 presidents, and this is the worst depression I’ve lived under, and I’m not going to live under it,” Manke told the Detroit News. “I believe it’s my right to work to make my living, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
The elderly barber underscored that he could not pay his bills without working. The 77-year-old hasn’t gotten his unemployment benefits or his stimulus check. His situation echoes those of other workers across the country who are struggling to make ends meet during the COVID-19 outbreak. He also thinks the government is playing favorites by letting big box stores remain open while closing down small businesses.
On Wednesday, police cited Manke with a civil infraction and two misdemeanor charges. He is facing a fine of at least $1000 and other punishments. The judge in the case set his court date for June 23 2020. Attorney General Dana Nessel will request an order from the Shiawassee County Circuit Court to close the business if Manke continues to refuse to volunteer to close. AG Nessel believes that Manke’s business is an “imminent danger” to the health of those in Michigan.
The barber has no plans of closing his doors and is risking arrest. The lines to get haircuts stretches to the streets, and supporters surround the shop.
He is cutting hair with a mask and washing his hands between customers. He is disinfecting his equipment with a UV light that has shown effective in killing the virus. Many believe that the shutdown orders across the country violate the U.S. Constitution and the right to peaceful assembly.
This situation echoes the case of Texas salon owner Shelley Luther who police arrested for opening up her salon in defiance of a similar shutdown order in the Lone Star State. A judge jailed Luther after she refused to apologize for opening her business and being selfish. She contended that she was not selfish and had no attention of apologizing for trying to feed her family. The Texas Supreme Court ultimately freed Luther.
The Michigan Militia came into the spotlight last month by attending an armed protest in Lansing against the forced shutdown of the state. The group was started by retired U.S. Air Force non-commissioned officer and Baptist minister, Norman Olson, in 1994 in response to Bill Clinton’s strict gun control laws. In 1995 the group was thrown into the spotlight because Oklahoma City bombing accomplice Terry Nichols once attended a Michigan Militia, although Nichols was not a member. The militia has been critical of the state’s order to close local businesses.
The Michigan Militia says that if the police come to arrest Manke that they would stand between the law enforcement officers and the senior citizen barber. The group says they will prevent the police from entering the establishment. They say the issue is bigger than a single business. They believe it is important to defend people’s rights.
“Governor Whitmer along with other Governors across the country have violated the First Amendment to freely assemble and our natural right to work and provide,” said Solomon, the organizer of the Michigan Militia action. “This is less about Mr Karl Manke now, and more about every free American’s rights!”
As of this writing, the police have not attempted to arrest Manke, and the senior citizen barber is still cutting hair.
AmmoLand News has reached out to all parties involved, but none have responded to AmmoLand New’s request for comment.
About John Crump
John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. He is the former CEO of Veritas Firearms, LLC and is the co-host of The Patriot News Podcast which can be found at www.blogtalkradio.com/patriotnews. John has written extensively on the patriot movement including 3%’ers, Oath Keepers, and Militias. In addition to the Patriot movement, John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and is currently working on a book on leftist deplatforming methods and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, on Facebook at realjohncrump, or at www.crumpy.com.
I hope it doesn’t come to that, but if conflict breaks out, I hope Michigan Militia wins decisively. The police are acting as tyrants and terrorists and deserve to be treated accordingly.
You have a pretty broad definition of ‘tyrant’ when all the police did was cite the barber. Nice try; no cigar.
Yeah, they’re only going to take $1,000 “and other punishments” from an old man who is just trying to earn a living and make ends meet. How very benevolent of them!
@"MCCLOUD!", You are part right. The police are only minions of the tyrant, if the police decide to carry out the unconstitutional dictates of their mayoral masters.
If they serve the tyrant, they can share the fate of all tyrants. They ARE the enemy so treat them as such.
@Superman 1 There is much more to this than a citation. As Mr Soloman clearly stated “This is less about Mr Karl Manke now, and more about every free American’s rights!”
fools like superboy dont understand that…..
Maybe you should go and read the Declaration of Independence. Scat for brains!
@Grigori Well stated.
It’s time to separate friend from foe within the ranks of law enforcement. If that separation cannot be accomplished, all law enforcement will become suspect and in-fact be considered foe.
Law enforcement needs to clean house and (collectively) take a stand. Law enforcement is either with us or against us – there is no middle ground.
No, there is. You’re just not interested in finding it.
Fight with the tyrants then Jacky. Make sure you are out front where I can see you 🙂
They will seperate themselves pretty fast! It’s simple,after the shooting starts badges get bullets!
Because after the shooting starts only the tyrants fists will wear badges
Literally brings tears to my eyes to see some backbone left in people, God bless them, and God bless you John Crump for covering stories that reflect the spirit of 1776
Well…law enforcement can breathe a sigh of relief. This just in “Michigan Judge Sides with Barber”.
Another bullet dodged by LEO’s who value their paychecks more than they value the God-given rights of Americans.
I’ve been saying all along that law enforcement are the enablers of everything the gun-grabbers are doing, and that when the lead starts flying, it will be Patriots against law enforcement.
If it is to be, let it start now. God Bless the Michigan Militia!
Buster . . .AMEN!!!
USA, I don’t recall anyone here defending ERPOs. We do believe in “law and order”, up to the point where our rights are being infringed. We do have a huge fight on our hands, but as of now, it is in the courts and in the voting booth.
You are wrong. We do not need a court or an election to establish rights we already own. We simply have to exercise them. This barber is doing EXACTLY what everyone should be doing. Cowards ask others for freedom. Brave men and women TAKE it.
Years ago, perhaps in the late 80’s my Father was a retired FHP Trooper and Chief of Police in a medium sized Florida city. I do not remember the situation that came about that prompted my to tell him that one day, law enforcement at least a portion of it would find themselves on the wrong side of the law. The comment drew a chuckle and scoffing, but deep down I think he knew I was right. The oath of office has become just words said to get that first paycheck coming and is soon forgotten. If you are in… Read more »
I have contacted my Sheriff and now know that he will uphold the Constitution and side with the people of our county. We must know who the enemies of our freedoms are. This barber or any business has the right to stay open, and the people who patronize these businesses have the right to make their own decisions. Not Government control of what you do and when you do it. This Virus is being used to push agendas that would not be tolerated otherwise by Conservative Americans. God Bless the People of the World with the Power to fight the… Read more »
God bless the mm! Remember them fondly from the Clinton Era where they inspired many to stand up our own militias! After the major threat was subsided they went back to their lives like the rest of us! God i.miss my 30s! If we have to get loud I move a lot slower and they might bag me faster but I’ll be on my damn feet. I’m in the wolverine state a lot and if big Gretchen gets stupid you might see a slightly greying trucker with a 10×20″ old glory and a holstered baby poop g19 walking to you… Read more »
The Barber should contact his Sheriff to have the local police officers arrested should they storm his business and attempt to arrest him.
E.D. . . . I think that local law enforcement will think again about “storming” Mr. Manke’s barber shop. The Michigan Militia has stated that they WILL NOT allow the police to arrest Mr. Manke and the Militia is armed!
Quite!
For everyone’s sake,I hope this ends peacefully.
That’s some severe cognitive dissonance if you think one group of blue line thugs won’t support another.
@ed, The barber should also call all his friends to bring their cameras and video recorders.
That’s exactly what the demonrats want, they want businesses to fail. They want to then blame it on Trump.
No one should need permission from government to start a business.
Good. The cops sure aren’t going to honor their oath and protect him.
Not only do cops routinely dishonor their oath, but they are complicitous in the blatant erosion of our 2nd Amendment rights.
If cops don’t take a rock-solid stand against tyranny, there will come a day – and it will happen very soon – when cops will be considered “enemies within”. At that point in time, it will be too late – all cops good and bad will be lumped together as enemies of freedom.
Historically speaking, enemies of American freedoms have not fared well.
Exactly, there will be a massacre and the cops will not be on the winning side of it.
Have you people in Michigan had enough of Whitmer and the Communist Democrap Party??!!! Whey can Walmart be open and Ms. Manke cannot?! Stop being fools and the Sheeple Lemmings of the Communist Democrap Party! If you want to see what the Communist Democrap Party has in store for you, just read “1984”! IN ALL FUTURE ELECTIONS< DO NOT EVER VOTE FOR SOMEONE WITH A (D) OR AN (I) BEHIND THEIR NAME!!! Jus remember, Big Brother is watching you!!!
I wouldn’t recommend 1984 by Orwell if you have kids because of some stuff in the book, but rather Animal Farm (same author). This one is much more kid friendly – we read it around the supper table.
I tend to caution those eager to Boog when they claim LEO’s National Guard and even Federal Military will all join the would be armed insurgency. There’s plenty of evidence that departments across the country have those willing to abide by the “I was only following orders” excuse. It didn’t fly in Nuremberg, and it won’t fly here, but make no mistake, their are LEO’s of all stripes willing to violate there oaths. Look how many in the FBI and DOJ partook in an illegal operation against POTUS and no, I didn’t mistake government lawyers for badged officers. They too… Read more »
@LordFoul You stated “There’s plenty of evidence that departments across the country have those willing to abide by the “I was only following orders” excuse.”, and you would be correct.
So the only thing left to do is shoot their f***’n a** right where they stand.
@Buster
Me and mine were only following our constitutional right excuse
I agree with you hopefully that day doesn’t come.
Well, somebody has to make a stand. I wonder what’s up with the Michigan unemployment situation. Same here in maryland, thousands not getting anything. I bet they dont have any money to give. Just a guess.
Ector county repeat
Those who died @ Lexington and Concord are cheering in heaven.
Hey “Jacky”, “Y” doesn’t your name end in “ass”?
YEAH!
Just because you have the freedom doesn’t make you right or smart. I’m not a Democrat or gun grabber. I’m a gun loving veteran. I understand they’re full of sh** closing small businesses not big ones. I think a lot is perpetrated by Wall Street. I already demonstrated there. But a small store with customers and the barber in each other’s face? I don’t care if you libertards infect each other. It makes me sad when you infect your children and elders.
When this thing passes and they don’t restore “our rights” I’ll join the cause.
With Freedom Comes Responsibility
Is there an update on this?
If the police attempt to enforce an unlawful order, they are enemies in the WAR for freedom. I hope the militia treats them as enemies and does what needs to be done!
Boys & Girls I don’t think this 77 year old needs your protection as he is very wise, and he has been around a lot of blocks. Now since he is wearing a mask I would suggest you wear one when you are around him. If you want a Cause simply ask him, and I am guessing he will give you all a bunch of good ideas on how you can help your Fellow Human Beans, and he would included All Of Us not just those like u. God Bless Us All
@gooder12
Hollow points
(When you care enough to send the very best)
Heard him get interviewed today on the radio. Manke speaks clearly and seems to have a good grasp of the situation.
Ha…. exactly what needs to happen in this case.
Jacky . . . You really are stupid!
You are not getting the truth. This man does not not need the money, is not starving and is just trying to prove a point. So don’t pull at heartstrings with the “Hes just trying to eat” excuse.
Jacky . . . SHUT UP!!!! You obviously do NOT begin to understand the argument!
@Jacky
Stay home wear your mask like a good little dog.
@Jacky, This man should prove a point. We should all be proving the same point. We have pre political rights that can not be diminished by any branch of government. The police better think about that.
Not what I heard him say today.
you miss the point. no business should have been shut down, large or small. The soon to be former Governor of Michigan is out of line. It`ll probably be to much for your understanding,BUT, immunity is attained by having the virus. The measures taken will only make things worse in the end. Example,as a kid,if you got the mumps,you would never get them again,9 day measles,the same.etc,etc.