Lawrence Invokes 'Don't Tread On Me' In Opposing Flock Cameras
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(Source: MIRS.news, Published 08/24/2026) Democratic nominee for the 7th congressional district, Will Lawrence, called flock cameras "the most un-American thing I can imagine" today, arguing the public safety benefits of the surveillance technology don't outweigh privacy concerns.
"We've had a strong suspicion of arbitrary surveillance since our country was founded, and now that's all being thrown out the window," Lawrence told MIRS. "And it's time for us to remember an old American slogan, which is 'Don't tread on me' and 'Don't spy on me.'"
Lawrence also weighed in on the third-party candidates competing with him and Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) in November, including Green Party nominee Shane Dedrick, whose candidacy has raised questions within the Green Party itself.
Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released a statement last week pointing to the candidacy as potential Republican interference, while Green Party spokesperson Doug Marsh has said it was "equally likely" Dedrick was planted by Republicans or had simply changed his political beliefs.
"It does look to be Republican meddling based on the reporting we've seen, and we're going to make sure people are aware of this," Lawrence said. He added that his campaign would continue focusing on ending foreign wars, getting money out of politics, expanding access to housing and health care and opposing data centers.
Lawrence made the comments after an East Lansing press conference focused on affordability, where Democrats sought to tie rising household costs to Republican policies in Washington.
Michigan State University students and local leaders all shared personal stories about rising energy costs and back-to-school expenses. Speakers called on Republicans to address the affordability crisis instead of "rubber-stamping the Trump administration's policies."
Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Okemos), who had her remarks read in after she missed the event because of a family issue, said that just last week President Donald Trump made a sixth emergency order continuing the operation of Michigan's Campbell Coal Plant even as it was set to retire a year ago.
"It's not just burning coal, it's burning cash," Brixie said in her remarks. "It's cost us more than $250 million to postpone Campbell's retirement, and grid operators agree it's not necessary for our grid reliability. So we're literally throwing life preservers to these outdated, unhealthy and expensive sources of energy."
Mike Pierce with Protect Borrowers Action said rising utility costs are increasingly pushing Michigan residents into debt, pointing to about 200,000 Michiganders who are currently in debt to a utility company and owe nearly $900 on average. Pierce said those debts have increased 10 percent since Trump took office, while more Americans are turning to credit cards and buy-now-pay-later loans to cover basic bills.
Pierce also tied energy costs to student loan and household debt, saying 13,000 borrowers in Barrett's district had been enrolled in a repayment plan that made their student loan payments more affordable before changes under the federal budget law.
"It's too expensive to live in America right now," Pierce said, arguing voters should connect policies coming out of Washington with the costs families are trying to manage "at a kitchen table every day."
And in terms of the kitchen table, Lawrence said he and his wife paid $17 for three chicken breasts this past week.
"I don't think we've ever done that … I know we've never done that in our lives, and there is no plan from this administration or from Tom Barrett to deliver any kind of relief for ratepayers and all of us here in Michigan who are just trying to make ends meet and take care of the necessities for ourselves and our families," Lawrence said.
MSU students at the event also focused on the cost of living and the role young voters could play in the November election. One student speaker said rising housing, tuition and energy costs are forcing students to make increasingly difficult choices about their day-to-day expenses.
Aastha Singh, with MSU Democrats, said the group plans to focus heavily on voter registration and turnout this fall, particularly in the competitive 7th Congressional District.
"Our goal is just to get as many students registered, as many students empowered and excited to be involved and vote this year," Singh said.
Singh said younger Democrats are also increasingly drawn to progressive candidates like Lawrence and U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, saying students "want to see candidates that show up for them, that support them."
"We are so excited to help get progressive Dems on the ballot and get elected," Singh said.
