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Main Forums => AIDS Activism => Topic started by: MarcoPoz on November 20, 2009, 08:33:43 am

Title: Michigan people with HIV to be arrested
Post by: MarcoPoz on November 20, 2009, 08:33:43 am
Press Release


Michigan Positive Action Coalition (MI-POZ)

Contact Mark Peterson, 313-492-4807,

Mark_ab_peterson@ yahoo.com


HIV positive people and others with infectious disease may be arrested in Macomb County


The Macomb County Prosecutor, Eric Smith has decided to charge an HIV positive individual as a bio-terrorist simply because he is living with HIV.  Using a law passed in 2004 to protect people in Michigan against terrorism, Prosecutor Smith decided to charge this individual with "possession or use of a harmful substance" in an incident that can best be described, at this point, as a fight between neighbors. Nothing in the incident report indicates that HIV transmission was intended or possible in this situation. MI-Poz sees this as an ill informed and dangerous precedent that would mean that all Michiganders living with ANY infectious disease such as influenza, H1N1, STDs or even the common cold, are potential bio terrorists.


We then, in an effort to draw attention to this ridiculous manipulation of the law, support any individuals living in Michigan with an infectious disease who choose to voluntarily "turn themselves in" to be arrested and/or charged with bio terrorism at the Macomb County Prosecutor's office.


We also support Michigan residents who call the Macomb County Prosecutor's office for information regarding how they can make themselves available for arrest because they have an infectious disease.


The Macomb County Prosecutor can be reached at the following:


1 South Main Street

Mount Clemens, Michigan 48043

Phone: (586) 469-5350
Title: Re: Michigan people with HIV to be arrested
Post by: actupts on November 20, 2009, 12:57:58 pm
Good luck with your protest!
Title: Re: Michigan people with HIV to be arrested
Post by: dixieman on November 20, 2009, 03:08:28 pm
Keep us informed! Please!
Title: Re: Michigan people with HIV to be arrested
Post by: GNYC09 on November 20, 2009, 08:30:52 pm
I especially like the line that points out, "MI-Poz sees this as an ill informed and dangerous precedent that would mean that all Michiganders living with ANY infectious disease such as influenza, H1N1, STDs or even the common cold, are potential bio terrorists. "

Personally, I would also consider any person that passes gas near me to be a bio terrorist.
Title: Re: Michigan people with HIV to be arrested
Post by: leese43 on November 22, 2009, 01:03:06 pm
We have a saying here in the UK. "only in America...." *ducks to avoid flying objects*  :P
Title: Re: Michigan people with HIV to be arrested
Post by: skeebo1969 on November 22, 2009, 02:08:09 pm
We have a saying here in the UK. "only in America...." *ducks to avoid flying objects*  :P

And you know what really sucks?  Even at our worse we are still #1! 
Title: Re: Michigan people with HIV to be arrested
Post by: leese43 on November 22, 2009, 02:27:39 pm
And you know what really sucks?  Even at our worse we are still #1! 

LOL...That would depend on what though!
Title: Re: Michigan people with HIV to be arrested
Post by: skeebo1969 on November 22, 2009, 02:39:22 pm
LOL...That would depend on what though!

Obesity
Title: Re: Michigan people with HIV to be arrested
Post by: GNYC09 on November 22, 2009, 04:35:58 pm
Obesity
LOL!
Title: Re: Michigan people with HIV to be arrested
Post by: mecch on November 22, 2009, 09:02:55 pm
Using a law passed in 2004 to protect people in Michigan against terrorism, Prosecutor Smith decided to charge this individual with "possession or use of a harmful substance" in an incident that can best be described, at this point, as a fight between neighbors.

Details are missing about what exactly happened in the "incident".
Of course pretty much nothing could  justify the criminalisation.
But details might help us understand the stupidity of the law.
Many states have spitting and biting as prosecutable endangerment.
Title: Re: Michigan people with HIV to be arrested
Post by: leatherman on November 22, 2009, 09:22:46 pm
Details are missing about what exactly happened in the "incident".
http://michiganmessenger.com/29816/state-lawmakers-question-terrorism-charges-for-hiv-positive-man

part of the story is that it was a fight between neighbors that may have involved biting on both sides
wonder what the charge is for biting into the 'harmful device' instead of being biten by 'harmful device'?
Title: Re: Michigan people with HIV to be arrested
Post by: GNYC09 on December 16, 2009, 08:40:13 pm
There is a petition on Change.org titled, "Demand Michigan Prosecutor Drop HIV-as-Terrorism Charges"

Their goal is 500 signatures.  They only have 469.  Would you consider signing?

http://gayrights.change.org/actions/view/demand_michigan_prosecutor_drop_hiv-as-terrorism_charges
Title: Re: Michigan people with HIV to be arrested
Post by: john33 on December 16, 2009, 09:02:15 pm
Press Release


 MI-Poz sees this as an ill informed and dangerous precedent that would mean that all Michiganders living with ANY infectious disease such as influenza, H1N1, STDs or even the common cold, are potential bio terrorists.

n'importe quoi!!!!!!!! i can't understand how people can be so nieve as to go along with this, but then again fear and money have a lot of influence