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12/18/2025 News Release

We are proud to announce our enthusiastic endorsement of Amir Makled for University of Michigan Board of Regents.

The People’s Coalition proudly endorses Amir Makled for University of Michigan Regent. A seasoned civil rights attorney, Makled has represented clients in serious injury, civil rights, and complex criminal cases in state and federal courts, building a reputation as a fierce advocate who challenges powerful institutions & defends constitutional rights.

Why The People’s Coalition Is Taking a Stand

The People’s Coalition has spoken out repeatedly against the repressive and chilling actions of the current University of Michigan Board of Regents members who have:

  • Dismantled DEI initiatives and offices

  • Ended gender-affirming care for patients under 19 under federal pressure

  • Limited academic freedom and speech through new “institutional neutrality” and disciplinary policies

  • Reduced the role of labor protections, despite claiming pro-worker values

  • Provided unchecked administrative power to file conduct complaints against students

  • Expanded policing, private security, and campus surveillance

  • Limited public participation and transparency in their meetings

  • Failed in their oversight, through opaque administrative hiring and mismanagement of athletics

These actions have weakened inclusion, reduced transparency, and damaged the university’s culture and credibility. Michigan deserves Regents who prioritize student, faculty, staff, and community voices.

Why Amir Makled

Makled will move the University forward — a Regent who will defend civil rights, empower students, support workers and faculty, protect marginalized communities, and help restore University of Michigan’s commitment to equity. Makled combines legal expertise, public service experience, and a deep commitment to civil liberties:

  • Defends Free Expression: Represented U-M students and community members arrested during pro-Palestinian protests, challenging biased prosecution.

  • Advocates Accountability: Criticized Regents’ disciplinary policy changes and fights for due process.

  • Demonstrates Courage: Continued to push for transparency after being detained by federal agents for his advocacy.

  • Champions Change: Pledges to restore gender-affirming care, expand transparency, protect union rights, oppose ICE activity on campus, and ensure faculty, staff, and students are involved in key decisions.

  • Deep Michigan Roots: Will lead through his lived experiences. A Michigan native, Makled earned a BBA in Finance from the University of Michigan–Dearborn and a JD from Wayne State University. His professional rigor and dedication to Michigan communities make him uniquely qualified to serve on the Board of Regents.

Amir Makled will not hesitate to speak out against injustice. He has the courage to defend what is right, and the experience to do it effectively. The University of Michigan community deserves a Regent who works for the people and is motivated to meet community needs across the University — not by political clout, by pressure, by the wealthy, or by special interests. That Regent is Amir Makled.

The People’s Coalition urges voters, students, alumni, staff, faculty, and community supporters to join the movement.

12/17/2025 News Release

We are proud to announce our enthusiastic endorsement of Shereef Akeel for Wayne State Board of Governors.

Shereef Akeel is a Wayne State University alumnus, nationally recognized civil rights attorney, and proven advocate for accountability and fairness. Named among Forbes’ Top 200 Lawyers in America and a Super Lawyer in Civil Rights, he has built his career holding powerful institutions accountable, and protecting fundamental rights.

An ACLU Defender of Freedom Award recipient, and having obtained a CPA, Akeel believes the strongest democracy—and the strongest university—is built on transparency, safety, fiscal responsibility, and trust.

When elected for the Wayne State University Board of Governors, Akeel will fight for affordable education, ensure a safe and supportive campus for every student, faculty and staff, and demand open, responsible stewardship of university resources. Wayne State students, faculty, staff members and the wider community deserve a Board of Governors who will serve all.

We wholeheartedly endorse Shereef Akeel for Wayne State Board of Governors and encourage all Michiganders to join us in supporting his campaign.

11/04/2025 News Release

We are proud to announce our enthusiastic endorsement of Aghogho Edevbie for Michigan Secretary of State.

Aghogho Edevbie has consistently demonstrated the knowledge, dedication, passion and experience needed to serve as Michigan’s top administrative officer, and the primary custodian of important state records.

Born and raised in Detroit, Aghogho Edevbie is the son of Nigerian immigrants who came to Michigan in search of a better life. Aghogho went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan and a juris doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School.

As Michigan State Director of one of the nation’s leading voter rights and protection groups, All Voting Is Local, Aghogho helped lead the fight to pass Proposal 2—giving every Michigan voter access to early voting, a drop box in every community, the right to return their absentee ballot free of charge, and guaranteeing their votes would be certified in a free and fair election.

As Deputy Secretary of State, he helped implement the promises of Proposal 2, and has worked to make the day-to-day experience of government as efficient as possible. He’s helped to put services online to save Michiganders a trip to the Secretary of State’s office and made sure that if they still decide to make a trip, they can get in and out of a branch within 30 minutes. Putting people first, defending our democracy, and making government work is why Aghogho is running for Secretary of State.

Michiganders deserve a Secretary of State who will serve all of us. Aghogho Edevbie has shown his commitment to defend our democracy, strengthen transparency in government, and to serve Michiganders everyday, with intention, commitment, and integrity.

We wholeheartedly endorse Aghogho Edevbie for Michigan Secretary of State and encourage all Michiganders to join us in supporting his campaign.

10/15/2025 News Release

We are proud to announce our enthusiastic endorsement of Eli Savit for Michigan Attorney General.

Eli Savit has consistently shown the courage, integrity, and vision we need in Michigan’s top legal officer.
As Washtenaw County Prosecutor, Eli has been a national leader in criminal justice reform—prioritizing public safety while advancing fairness, equity, and accountability. His data-driven, community-first approach has made Michigan a model for modern, compassionate prosecution.

Eli understands that justice isn’t just about convictions—it’s about community. He believes in building safer neighborhoods, protecting civil rights, and ensuring that the law serves everyone, not just the powerful. At a time when our rights are increasingly under threat, Eli brings both deep experience and moral clarity—and he’s proven his values through action, not just words.

When pro-Palestinian speech and protest came under attack, Eli stood up to those who sought to silence and criminalize dissent. He resisted pressure from the University of Michigan to prosecute 64 protest-related cases—ultimately denying charges in 60 of them and reducing the remaining four to misdemeanor diversions, leaving no criminal record and no impact on immigration or employment.

Eli has also taken on corporate polluters, scammers, and slumlords—and won. He’s litigated major civil-rights cases, successfully sued the opioid industry, and led Detroit’s landmark “right-to-literacy” lawsuit on behalf of the city’s schoolchildren. As a practicing environmental lawyer, he’s helped secure victories against Dupont, Chemours, and other major corporate polluters.

Eli Savit has proven he’s a true fighter who won’t bend to powerful interests. As Attorney General, he’ll continue to defend our rights, our environment, and our communities—with integrity, bold leadership, and a deep commitment to justice.

Michigan deserves an Attorney General who will fight for all of us. Eli Savit is ready to lead that fight.

We encourage all Michiganders to join us in supporting Eli Savit for Michigan Attorney General.

9/17/2025 News Release

The People’s Coalition is in good company on this letter, with many of our peer organizations, and Michigan State and Local elected officials. We refuse to stand idly by while a genocide is carried out before our eyes, using weapons our US tax dollars have paid for.

A corresponding resolution will be released soon – we encourage our elected officials to review and sign on in support.

Moral cowardice is not an option at this point. We need our elected officials, from the federal, state, and local levels to oppose this genocide unequivocally, not just with your words and platitudes, but with your deeds, your actions, and your VOTES.

8/25/2025 News Release

The People’s Coalition Statement on Michigan Medicine’s decision on gender-affirming care.

The People’s Coalition stands in solidarity with trans and nonbinary kids and their parents and families.

The news coming from Michigan Medicine about the discontinuation of puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones to minors is deeply concerning. Denying this care is cruel, short-sighted, and dangerous.

The People’s Coalition affirms our wholehearted support of trans, nonbinary and genderqueer Michiganders, kids and adults alike.
They deserve access to medically-necessary care, as does every Michigander!

7/18/2025 News Release

The People’s Coalition Statement on the University of Michigan’s OSCR Charges against student and alumni activists.

6/30/2025 News Release

To close out a what has been a difficult Pride Month, we were proud to organize and hold a Trans and Nonbinary Community Meeting on June 30th in Ann Arbor, at First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor (we are thankful for our hosts).

Organizations dedicated to LGBTQ+ community support and advocacy joined us as community partners who included the Jim Toy Center, Trans Unity Coalition, Desi Rainbow, Corner Health Center and Queer Folk - let’s keep working together! 

At the event, we had all local Washtenaw County State Representatives and Senators present ,who directly heard from those most affected by the pain and violence against the trans community, and how they can better advocate for and uplift the trans community. We greatly appreciate State Senator Jeff Irwin, Representative Jimmie Wilson Jr, Representative Carrie Rheingans, Representative Jason Morgan, Representative Morgan Foreman, Representative Jennifer Conlin, and Senator Sue Shink for joining us to support the human rights of trans folks, and are willing to continue learning.

5/4/2025 News Release

We are celebrating our leadership wins at the State Central Committee (SCC) Meeting in April, and previously throughout the SCC, Caucuses and District chapters! Congrats to all our coalition members for these strong wins! And a special thank you to MDP Chair Curtis Hertel for working hard to ensure that there is true representation and inclusiveness within the MDP leadership. We are better and stronger when every one of us, especially marginalized communities, have a seat at the table!

4/8/2025 News Release

The People's Coalition statement on the University of Michigan’s recent actions to dismantle its’ DEI offices and programs:

Shuttering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices and ending these valuable programs at the University of Michigan is a regressive step that undermines the University’s stated core values. DEI initiatives at their heart are not just about representation, but about ensuring that ALL students, faculty and staff, regardless of their background or identities, have an equitable chance to succeed in an environment that values their unique perspectives.

Eliminating these programs will disproportionately harm marginalized groups, perpetuating historical and current inequities at the University that these DEI efforts are designed to address.

At a time when the nation is grappling with issues of racial and social justice, dismantling DEI sends the message that equity is no longer a priority. The University of Michigan has been a leader in these programs, and should not be retreating from them. University of Michigan Regents & administration have positioned themselves against the needs of marginalized students, faculty and staff in favor of capitulation with the status quo. These actions speak to the importance of Regents who are aligned with the needs of the most vulnerable in our community.

We demand accountability & transparency from the administration & Regents: Reinvest in equity for all students, faculty & staff, and protect our most vulnerable communities. We intend to put our support behind strong Regent candidates that truly speak for the communities they represent.

2/22/2025 News Release

The People’s Coalition centered our first major action around the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP)’s February 22nd Convention in Detroit. We stayed true to our values and mission: Democracy in Action, where every voice can be heard and every community will have a seat at the table. The strength of the Democratic Party lies in our diversity and our shared commitment to progress.

Our coalition is a multi-faith, multi-racial group of people from across Michigan, committed to achieving change within the MDP and beyond, and ultimately benefiting our communities through elected leadership, engagement and participation. 

The People’s Coalition had a very successful day with many accomplishments at this Saturday’s MDP Convention - what an experience! Our candidates and coalition members mobilized for the MDP Convention, and we earned increased representation and participation across various caucuses and congressional districts! We’re proud of all the candidates we supported and endorsed, and more broadly of our pro-humanity, pro-justice allies who also had wins on Saturday.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for showing up at the MDP Convention and supporting our candidates and celebrating our wins!