Newly Formed Local Think Tank Tackles Religious Liberty

4/7/14 - A newly created Livingston County-based think-tank will be holding a seminar next week that will serve as its public introduction. The Gadsden Center was formed by Donna Nakagiri of Hartland Township. She’s the wife of Wes Nakagiri, who heads up the RetakeOurGov Tea Party group, but insists the center has no affiliation with any other group or political party. Nakagiri says the center is a 501(c)(4) organization, which means it is tax-exempt based on its public education efforts. The center, which bills itself as a non-partisan public policy research, advocacy and educational organization, will be hosting a seminar next Monday, April 14th at the Howell Opera House entitled “Religious Liberties Under Our State and Federal Constitutions: Are They Under Attack?” Nakagiri says the answer to that question is an emphatic yes and said there are numerous instances, both small and large, that she believes religious liberties are infringed by the government. She cited as one example a Jewish prisoner who is devout, but denied access to Kosher meals. The featured speakers at the event will be Attorney Robert Muise of the American Freedom Law Center and Professor Frank Ravitch of the Michigan State University School of Law. A question-and-answer session will follow the program. Admission is free, but registration is required as seating is limited. (JK)