Michigan Barber Targeted By Democrat Gov Whitmer Has License Reinstated

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An elderly barber from Michigan, who lost his license for defying Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s lockdown orders, has now had it reinstated.

Last month, Karl Manke, 77, had his license to trade revoked.

Manke vowed to carry on working because he was turned down for unemployment handouts, and faced financial ruin.

But Manke's licensing was finally reinstated on Monday as barbershops and salons were permitted to reopen following the lockdown, MLive.com reported.

“I am pleased with the orders issued today to reinstate my licenses so I can continue to move forward,” Manke said in a statement.

“I still believe it is high time for all of Michigan to Stand Up, Open Up for business, and for all the people in our community to Show Up in support.”

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Manke was cited at least twice for defying lockdown orders and was charged with a misdemeanor.

But the Michigan Supreme Court sided with Manke, saying the state appeals court didn’t follow proper procedure in the decision.

Justice David F. Viviano wrote:

“It is incumbent on the courts to ensure decisions are made according to the rule of law, not hysteria.”

“One hopes that this great principle — essential to any free society, including ours — will not itself become yet another casualty of COVID-19.”

The Michigan Circuit Court blocked the state’s attorney general from attempting to hold Manke in contempt of court for continuing to operate his business.

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“It is no longer appropriate for Plaintiff to seek to compel Defendant to comply with a nonexistent injunction,” Judge Matthew J. Stewart's order said.

Meanwhile, the Michigan Freedom Fund named Manke its “Freedom Fighter of the Month,” celebrating his victory in Michigan’s Supreme Court.

The Michigan Freedom Fund has named Karl Manke, the 77-year old Owosso barber who defied Gov. Whitmer’s orders to shut down his business, its “Freedom Fighter of the Month,” in celebration of his unanimous victory in Michigan’s Supreme Court. https://t.co/1lOivyZZUI pic.twitter.com/xfT3RM2Edy

— MichiganFreedomFund (@MichiganFreedom) June 17, 2020

Last month, Manke received a barrage of legal threats from Whitmer’s administration.

“What are they going to give me? Life?" he asked at the time.

"I’ve got one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel. I could care less.”

“As long as I have two hands and I’m capable of cutting hair, that’s my occupation,” Manke said.

Manke added he would only leave his shop “if they drag me out in the street or Jesus comes.”

Meanwhile, Whitmer said the coronavirus lockdown was “not optional.”