Four former governors promote civility in Tuesday event

While some people use violence to silence those with whom they disagree, four former Michigan governors will attend a Lansing event on Feb. 4 to promote civility.

The event featuring Govs. Jim Blanchard, John Engler, Jennifer Granholm, and Rick Snyder is sold out but will be livestreamed.

The Michigan Civility Coalition, a group of people and companies concerned about increasing violence in civil discourse, will host the event.

The event has five sponsors: Michiganders for Civic Resilience, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, the Democracy Defense Project, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, and Oakland University’s Center for Civic Engagement.

Roop Raj, Fox 2 Detroit evening anchor and host of the nightly political talk show ”The Pulse,” will moderate the discussion held at the Lansing Doubletree Hotel.

Recent years have been marred by political violence, notably the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk during an event at a college campus in Utah in September. In June, Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman was killed in her home, along with her husband.

In July 2024 President Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt.

Last week, Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar was squirted with some substance during a town hall.

Political violence has no place in a civil society. Join us on Tuesday to advance civil discourse and bring civility back to the public square.