Update on Gay Student Who was Verbally Attacked by Michigan Attorney General
PUBLISHED: OCTOBER 25, 2010
Chris Armstrong, the gay student attacked by Michigan Assistant
Attorney General Andrew Shirvell, has withdrawn his request for
a personal protection order against Shirvell, the Detroit Free Press
reported.
Attorney General Andrew Shirvell, has withdrawn his request for
a personal protection order against Shirvell, the Detroit Free Press
reported.
A hearing on Armstrong's September request was scheduled for
Monday in the courtroom of Judge Nancy Francis.
Monday in the courtroom of Judge Nancy Francis.
Armstrong, 21, became the subject of attacks by Shirvell after he was
elected president of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor Student
Assembly in April. Armstrong is believed to be the first openly gay
student to hold the post.
elected president of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor Student
Assembly in April. Armstrong is believed to be the first openly gay
student to hold the post.
At the website Chris Armstrong Watch, now sealed off behind
a password protected page, Shirvell accused Armstrong of
preying on impressionable freshman, of being “Satan's representative
on the student assembly,” and labeled Armstrong a Nazi, a racist, a liar
and an elitist.
a password protected page, Shirvell accused Armstrong of
preying on impressionable freshman, of being “Satan's representative
on the student assembly,” and labeled Armstrong a Nazi, a racist, a liar
and an elitist.
The case attracted nationwide attention after Shirvell appeared on
CNN'sAnderson Cooper 360 to defend his right to campaign against
Armstrong.
CNN'sAnderson Cooper 360 to defend his right to campaign against
Armstrong.
“This is a political campaign. This is nothing personal against Chris,”
Shirvell told Cooper.
Shirvell told Cooper.
“I'm a Christian citizen exercising my First Amendment rights. I have
no problem with the fact that Chris is a homosexual. I have a problem
with the fact that he's advancing a radical homosexual agenda,”
he added.
no problem with the fact that Chris is a homosexual. I have a problem
with the fact that he's advancing a radical homosexual agenda,”
he added.
Shirvell also led protests outside Armstrong's home and at the
university. University officials responded by banning the civil servant
from its campus.
university. University officials responded by banning the civil servant
from its campus.
The city of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, the
agency tasked with enforcing the state's anti-discrimination laws,
have also condemned the attacks.
agency tasked with enforcing the state's anti-discrimination laws,
have also condemned the attacks.
Shirvell, who is currently on a leave of absence, is expected to face a
disciplinary hearing upon his return to work.
disciplinary hearing upon his return to work.
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