FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alanna Maguire Shruti Lakshmanan
President, Fair Michigan Foundation, Inc. Transition Manager
[email protected] [email protected]
877-4FAIR-MI 734-697-3933
Fair Michigan and Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office Announce Expansion of the Fair Justice Michigan Project
Fair Michigan and Washtenaw County Prosecutor announce program which will train law enforcement officers, and coordinate the investigation and prosecution of serious crimes committed against LGBTQ community in Washtenaw County
ANN ARBOR, MI – March 16, 2021 – The Fair Michigan Foundation today announced the expansion of the Fair Michigan Justice Project (FMJP) into Washtenaw County, in a partnership with the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office. FMJP is a program designed to assist Michigan law enforcement officers and prosecutors in solving serious crimes against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender persons. Established in 2016, FMJP has been successfully operating in Wayne County and Ingham County in partnership with their County Prosecutor’s offices. To date, FMJP has secured nearly 30 convictions and maintains a 100% conviction rate.
“Partnering with Fair Michigan and bringing the Justice Project to Washtenaw County has been a goal of mine because I am committed to ensuring justice for everyone in our community. It is my hope that our partnership will enhance the trust between the LGBTQ community and law enforcement,” said Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit.
Prosecutor Savit announced that his office will designate Washtenaw County First Assistant Prosecutor Christina Hines to work in conjunction with the Fair Michigan Justice Project to prosecute criminal offenses committed against the LGBTQ community. Fair Michigan Trustee & Legal Services Director Victoria Shackelford and Director of Transgender Outreach and Advocacy Julisa Abad will conduct a law enforcement training with the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office on May 21, 2021 to advise the office on issues related to dealing with LGBTQ crime victims and witnesses.
Fair Michigan President Alanna Maguire welcomed the new partnership. “Expanding the Fair Michigan Justice Project into Washtenaw County will provide greater avenues for justice for Michigan’s LGBTQ residents. We are grateful for Prosecutor Savit’s leadership, and I am honored to call him a friend.”
Fair Michigan is a non-profit corporation seeking to end discrimination against persons based on sex, sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity.
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