KARL MANKE – Tom's Blog

By Kyle Olson – May 13, 2020

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is waging an increasingly high-profile battle against an elderly barber, and he appears to be winning in both the courts of law and public opinion.

Karl Manke, a 77-year-old from Owosso, reopened his shop after he was turned down for unemployment.

Amid the legal threats from Whitmer’s administration, he recently responded, “What, are they going to give me? Life? I’ve got one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel. I could care less.”

“As long as I have two hands and I’m capable of cutting hair, that’s my occupation,” Manke said. “That’s what I do. That’s what I’m going to continue to do.”

Manke addressed supporters outside his shop on Monday.

“I’d gone six weeks without a paycheck with no money coming in. I’ve been in this business 59 years…I’m 77. I’ve always worked,” he said.

“I’ve never looked for handouts. I don’t even know what they are. I had somebody call me and say why don’t you get on food stamps. I don’t want to get on food stamps. I want to work.”

“I came into this last Monday alone, thinking I’m going to swing in the wind alone,” he said. “I cannot believe the support that I’ve got,” he added to cheers, with some responding, “You are not alone!”

“It’s overwhelming,” he added, getting choked up.

Another day, Manke made it clear he was going to defy Whitmer’s orders.

He told radio host Steve Gruber he will only leave his shop “if they drag me out in the street or Jesus comes.”

Manke’s levity is a striking contrast to Whitmer’s attempts to appear tough.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: "These executive orders are not a suggestion. They're not optional. They're not helpful hints." pic.twitter.com/ImffRfwPyb

— The Hill (@thehill) May 11, 2020

When asked specifically about Manke defying her edicts, Whitmer responded, “I expect people to follow the law. These executive orders are not a suggestion. They’re not optional. They’re not helpful hints.”

Despite failing to obtain a restraining order against the barber on Monday, Whitmer’s administration is continuing to pursue him in court.

The AG said:

The Attorney General’s court action, filed on behalf of MDHHS, seeks to enforce the MDHHS Director’s Public Health Order that deemed Mr. Manke’s business an imminent danger to public health in light of the COVID 19 pandemic and directs him to immediately cease operations at his barbershop. The State is seeking to schedule a hearing as soon as possible.

The AG asserted Manke’s open business presents “clear public health dangers.”

After the close of business on Tuesday, Whitmer’s administration stripped Manke of his operating license, his attorney said.

“Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has suspended Karl’s license,” attorney David Kallman told radio host Steve Gruber.

“Not thinking about it, they’ve actually done it without a hearing, without any due process,” he added, saying the action took place some time after 5:00 p.m.

“It’s an unbelievable abuse of power,” Kallman said, arguing there’s no legal basis for the action.

“This is pure retribution by the governor’s office and by the AG. This is so petty and vindictive, it’s beyond the pale,” he told Gruber.

According Kallman, the AG claimed one of the reasons for the license suspension was because Manke was violating the temporary restraining order–which was never granted.

A Michigan Circuit Court Judge in Shiawassee County rejected the complaint filed by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office to shut down barber Karl Manke, who has refused the order from Governor Gretchen Whitmer calling his business “non-essential.”

Attorney General Dana Nessel tried to file a temporary restraining order today against Manke in order to criminalize his barber shop operation in Owosso. He is able to remain in operation for the time being because a judge rejected her request, although the state has charged him with misdemeanor crimes.

“The next step now would depend on if the “(Attorney General) appeals or not,” said attorney David A. Kallman, who is presenting Manke.

“I don’t know if they’re going to, but for our point of view, the next step is two criminal charges pending against him in district court for misdemeanors,” he added.

Manke has received citations for violating Whitmer’s edicts. He could receive 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine if he is convicted of these supposed crimes.

“I’d gone six weeks without a paycheck with no money coming in. I’ve been in this business 59 years…I’m 77. I’ve always worked,” he said. “I’ve never looked for handouts. I don’t even know what they are. I had somebody call me and say why don’t you get on food stamps. I don’t want to get on food stamps. I want to work.”

Manke is overwhelmed by the incredible amount of support he has received from the community due to his patriotic stand against Whitmer’s tyranny.

“I came into this last Monday alone, thinking I’m going to swing in the wind alone,” he said, calling the government’s order to keep non-essential businesses closed and he doesn’t need to be mothered by lawmakers. “I cannot believe the support that I’ve got. It’s overwhelming.”

A barbershop owner in Owosso, Mich. is defiantly disobeying the shutdown edicts issued by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and says he will not close his store until the state forces him to do so.

77-year-old Karl Manke opened his barbershop on Monday, flouting Whitmer’s executive order forcing his store and thousands of other businesses across the state to stay closed.

“I don’t need the governor to be my mother,” Manke said. “I have one. God bless her, she’s gone now. I don’t need another mother. I can make these adult decisions myself.”

“I can … run my business how I feel I should run it,” he added. “To tell you the truth, I am scared but I didn’t really have any choice. I need to work through that fear and open up.”

Ryan Jarvi of the Attorney General’s office has made it clear that Manke is operating in violation of Whitmer’s orders and that he may be subject to fines or criminal sanctions because of his unwillingness to submit.

“Violations should still be directed to law enforcement agencies overseeing the jurisdiction in which the offense occurred,” Jarvi said. “We are confident those agencies will use their discretion and authority appropriately in enforcing the Governor’s orders.”

Manke is very aware of the possible consequences but is operating in spite of what may happen to him. The devoted Christian believes that his stand is about something bigger.

“I’ll be open until Jesus walks in or until they arrest me,” Manke said.

Manke’s galvanizing stand is showing other business owners in Michigan and throughout the country that tyranny can be defeated, and Americans do not have to accept the new normal of shutdown tyranny.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is waging an increasingly high-profile battle against an elderly barber, and he appears to be winning in both the courts of law and public opinion.

The judiciary has done a solid for liberty.

A Michigan Circuit Court Judge in Shiawassee County rejected the complaint filed by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office to shut down barber Karl Manke, who has refused the order from Governor Gretchen Whitmer calling his business “non-essential.”