MWRO Protests Censorship by WHPR

As reported in the Michigan Citizen, MWRO has ceased its weekly television and radio broadcast on WHPR-TV 33, 88.1FM in Highland Park, Michigan.

On Tuesday, April 21, 2009, the station owner, RJ Watkins, informed Marian Kramer and Maureen Taylor, co-hosts of the popular, "Ask Welfare Rights Show," that they would not be allowed to criticize former Highland Park Emergency Financial Manager, Arthur Blackwell--a friend and investor of Mr. Watkins.

The previous night, Marian Kramer attended the City of Highland Park City Council meeting where Mr. Blackwell and his supporters tried to distract from the firing of Mr. Blackwell who paid himself nearly $300,000 from the city--after agreeing to oversee finances for his native town for $1 per year!

MWRO and other community shows on WHPR pay an hourly fee for broadcast and production assistance. Following this censorship, the Michigan Citizen interviewed Mr. Watkins as saying that MWRO could talk about Mr. Blackwell "at home or on the telephone, but I have a right to say they don't talk about it on the air."

Marian Kramer retorted: "Maybe that is so, but it is our right to stop people from supporting the station."

Read Marian Kramer's full story about these incidents at the People's Tribune. Ms. Kramer is consulting with an attorney about reporting the matter to the proper authorities, and possibly boycotting the station.

Michigan Welfare Rights Organization broadcasted the "Ask Welfare Rights Show" on WHPR for over eight years. It provided regular updates and information about available public assistance benefits, "Know Your Rights" facts, and commentary on issues pertaining to low-income and poor people in southeast Michigan.

For more information or to voice your concern, call the MWRO office at (313) 964-0618.

(Image from MWRO)

State Emergency Relief for Low Income Michigan Residents

In the state of Michigan, low-income people may apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) through the Department of Human Services (DHS). The SER application allows for persons who have utility bill shut-off notices, or home foreclosure or eviction notices to receive assistance from the State.

As announced on Tuesday's 4/14/09 WHPR "Ask Welfare Rights" Show, go to a Michigan Dept of Human Services (DHS) office by Thurs, 4/16/09 to receive DTE matching funds for SER! If you have received a shut-off notice for your DTE bill, you can receive matching funds with a State Emergency Relief (SER) application that may help you pay off your entire electric bill. SER funds are also available for water shut-off bills, foreclosure and eviction notice, or home disaster relief. Don't let your DHS worker tell you funds are not available--that's not true!

DTE, the Detroit-based electric and natural gas company, is currently matching funds paid by DHS until April 16, 2009. Eligible residents must go to their nearest DHS office by the end of this date for these matching funds.

After April 16, 2009, you may continue to apply for SER assistance (including home disaster relief and burial service). Many of these current funds have been provided to the states through federal economic stimulus funds to assist low-income, unemployed, and homeless families.

The Michigan Assistance and Referral Service (MARS) website can also help you determine which programs you may be eligible for to receive cash assistance, food stamps, medical care, emergency services, child care, and more. MARS is available in English, Spanish, and Arabic.

Check out the Michigan DHS and SER websites for more information.

Image courtesy of the Michigan's Poverty in Michigan website.