Commissioner Nakagiri declined to participate an a League of Women Voters event. His response to the organization’s Co-Presidents is shown below.
August 19, 2024
Ms. Ellen Lafferty, and Ms. Shirley Jackson
Co-Presidents, League of Women Voters of Livingston County
Dear Ms. Lafferty, and Ms. Jackson,
In 2020 your organization threatened me with a lawsuit for exercising my 1st Amendment rights under the doctrine of Fair Use. Below is the text of my 2020 response to your threat of litigation.
Dear Ms. Lafferty,
Thank you for reaching out to me regarding the League of Women Voters’ candidate forum for the 47th District State House Candidates. I respectfully decline your request to remove my video from Facebook. My use of short video clips from your candidate forum is clearly within the doctrine of Fair Use.
Education policy is a top priority for me and many other Michigan citizens. As such it is important that voters clearly understand where the candidates stand on the issues.
My video provides voters with additional knowledge that goes beyond the original candidate forum, noting the clear differences between the two candidates. With its mission of educating voters, I am a bit surprised that the League of Women Voters wants to suppress this informational video.
Now that you have threatened litigation, I await being served with your lawsuit and request that all further communication on this matter be between our respective attorneys.
Best regards,
Wes Nakagiri
Since the issuance of your threat, I have not participated in events hosted by the League of Women Voters. My position regarding my 1st Amendment rights, and the Doctrine of Fair Use has not changed. Accordingly, my decision to decline participation in your events has not changed either.
Best regards,
Wes Nakagiri