LANSING – The Reverend John Burns II of Farmington Hills passed away unexpectedly Friday, May 17, 2019. The Rev. Burns II was a fixture in Lansing, advocating on behalf of the Poor People's Campaign and working tirelessly on social justice issues including sentencing reforms, re-entry opportunities for individuals leaving the criminal justice system and increasing the minimum wage for all workers. He also founded First A.M.E. (FAME) Church in Farmington Hills. In response to the passing of Rev. Burns II, House Democratic Leader Christine Greig (D-Farmington Hills) issued the following statement:
“The passing of Rev. Burns is a deep loss for the community, not only in Farmington Hills but to the entire state of Michigan. His dedication to creating a ‘beloved community’ through social justice initiatives spurned meaningful change for countless lives of those coming out of the criminal justice system, prioritizing the rehabilitation of these individuals to give them a second chance at a successful life. I offer my deepest condolences to his family and the countless members of the community that benefited from his advocacy efforts.”
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