Michigan Republican lawmaker wants Jan. 6 declared 'Remembrance Day'

Lansing — A Michigan Republican lawmaker proposed a resolution Tuesday to declare Jan. 6 as "Remembrance Day," stating it should be recognized "for the heinous and tyrannical actions levied on society by an unhinged and politically motivated ruling elite."

State Rep. Steve Carra, R-Three Rivers, introduced the resolution during Tuesday's session, when it was referred the House Rules and Competitiveness Committee, where unpopular policy proposals usually stall out. It came as the Democrat-led U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol is scheduled to continue holding public hearings on what led to the insurrection in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. A fourth hearing was held Tuesday afternoon.

The riot at the Capitol, as Congress met to count electoral votes, "was one of the darkest days of our democracy" and resulted in multiple deaths and physical harm to more than 140 members of law enforcement, according to the select committee.

But the resolution Carra is proposing attempts to tie the events of Jan. 6, 2021, to "the tyrannical actions of the government over the past two years," including "unconstitutional mandates" connected to the COVID-19 pandemic and parents being "prevented from participating in their children’s education."

The resolution's main claim is "blatantly not true," said state Rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit. Jan. 6, 2021, led to people dying and was an effort to overthrow democratic institutions, Tate said.

However, Carra's resolution asks the Republican-controlled House to "blame a few rogue and malicious agitators, a small fraction of passionate individuals from the crowd in attendance for the rally who got caught up in the moment, and most importantly a lack of proper security on-site, for the damage that was done on Jan. 6, 2021."

The resolution also says the Federal Bureau of Investigation "improperly raided" the home of Republican gubernatorial hopeful Ryan Kelley on June 9. Kelley of Allendale was charged with four misdemeanors tied to his involvement in the riot at the Capitol, including disorderly and disruptive conduct. Kelley has said he didn't enter the Capitol building.

Carra has previously been endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Carra ended a past campaign for Congress days after Trump gave his "complete and total" endorsement to his Republican primary opponent, U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga of Holland.

The U.S. House select committee has found the events of Jan. 6, 2021, were part of an attempt by Trump to remain in power after losing the November 2020 presidential election.

cmauger@detroitnews.com