Citizens in the 17th Michigan State House District are collecting petition signatures to recall Speaker Andy Dillon from office.  `Dillon's thugs' are the (mostly) anonymous disrupters who use threatening tactics to intimidate citizens who may want to sign the recall petition.

Speaker Andy Dillon lead the legislature to increase the state income tax by 12% and the state business tax by 22%. These tax increases were used to fund an 8% increase in state general fund spending and a 7% hike in the legislators' budget.

Many citizens of Redford, northern Dearborn Heights, and southeast Livonia believe Dillon's tax hikes are hurting their families and damaging Michigan's economy. These citizens believe Speaker Dillon should be held accountable. They have until May 1st to collect 8,724 valid signatures to place the question of recalling Speaker Dillon on the August 5th primary ballot.

Speaker Dillon has decided that no recall campaign should be allowed - and he will use whatever tactics it takes to stop the petitioners.

Dillon's thugs have been deployed by Speaker Dillon to surround petitioners at public places like the library and post office. The thugs intimidate petitioners and potential signers by using threatening language, blocking tactics, lying to potential signers, and harassing the petitioner. Several of the thugs have been following petitioners to their homes and stalking them during routine errands.

When Speaker Andy Dillon is asked by reporters, he denies organizing or supporting the thugs. Yet, the two thugs that have been identified - Joan Gebhardt and Ian Douglas - are both listed as state employees working directly for Speaker Dillon at taxpayer expense.

Who are the other thugs? Are they also employed at taxpayer expense? We need your help identifying these thugs who so brazenly trample on citizens' constitutional rights to petition their government and request a recall of an unfaithful politician.

A $250 bounty will be provided to anyone who can correctly identify any of the unknown thugs whose photos are posted at www.dillonsthugs.com.