Friday, April 08, 2022

Stop the State Police Harassment and Targeting of Rev. Edward Pinkney of Benton Harbor

Stop the State Police Harassment and Targeting of Rev. Edward Pinkney of Benton Harbor

April 7, 2022

To Governor Gretchen Whitmer, State Police Director Colonel Joseph Gafper, and DHHS Deputy Director David Knezek:

We are greatly alarmed that Michigan State police are being sent to target and harass Rev. Edward Pinkney, the noted community activist in Benton Harbor, Michigan. On March 25, 2022 Sgt. Hayward of the Paw Paw State Police post and another officer went to Rev. Pinkney’s home. They raised several ridiculous allegations that Rev. Pinkney was selling (donated) water in South Bend, Indiana and that Rev. Pinkney might be tampering with water test results in Benton Harbor. When Rev. Pinkney asked about why the State of Michigan had not paid him for the use of two rooms in his church contracted by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to store filters and water for the past months, the officers accused him of “holding the supplies hostage.” On another recent occasion state troopers came to the church and watched while water was being distributed to community members.

We cannot help but recall that Rev. Pinkney has been the victim of persecution for his community service. He was imprisoned for literally quoting the Bible in an article. This case was thrown out upon appeal but only after Rev. Pinkney spent one year in prison.

On another occasion Rev. Pinkney was arrested, tried and convicted for petitioning to recall the Mayor of Benton Harbor. He spent two and one half years in State prisons. Only after those long years Rev. Pinkney’s case was overturned by the Michigan Supreme Court which found that he had not broken any law. We believe that without the mass public support and pressure Rev. Pinkney would have been killed by the guards in Marquette Prison.

So we take it very seriously when State troopers start harassing the Reverend and when spurious charges start to be floated against him. 

We demand that you take immediate action to stop the harassment, apologize to Rev. Pinkney and ensure that all officials under your direction cease and desist from any and all further actions that target and endanger Rev. Pinkney.


Sincerely, 

David Sole Abayomi Azikiwe Yvonne Jones

Moratorium NOW Coalition


Take Immediate Action:

Call and express your concern or email a message to

  • Governor Gretchen Whitmer 

517-335-7858

Michigan.gov/Whitmer/contact, click Contact the Governor, fill in the information and type in your message


  • State Police Director, Colonel Joseph Gafper

517-332-2521

Msp_webmaster@michigan.gov


  • David Knezek, Deputy Director for Administration, Department of Health and Human Services

313- 864-0161 (cell phone) 

or 517-241-3740 DHHS state office headquarters