Michael Moore to Michigan Governor: I’ll Take in Syrian Refugees

Filmmaker Michael Moore, in a letter of protest to Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder’s decision to pause efforts to bring more Syrian refugees to the state, is offering his Traverse City home to those fleeing the war-torn region.

In a letter to Snyder that Moore posted on his Facebook page, the director wrote, “I just wanted to let you know that, contrary to your declaration of denying Syrian refugees a home in our state of Michigan, I myself am going to defy your ban and will offer MY home in Traverse City, Michigan, to those very Syrian refugees you’ve decided to keep out. I will contact the State Department to let them know I am happy to provide a safe haven to any Syrian refugee couple approved by the Obama administration’s vetting procedures in which I have full faith and trust.”

Moore called Snyder’s action “disgraceful” and “unconstitutional (only the President has the legal right to decide things like this).”

Moore added, “What you’ve done is anti-American. This is not who we are supposed to be. We are, for better and for worse, a nation of descendants of three groups: slaves from Africa who were brought here in chains and then forced to provide trillions of dollars of free labor to build this country; native peoples who were mostly exterminated by white Christians through acts of mass genocide; and immigrants from EVERYWHERE around the globe. In Michigan we are fortunate to count amongst us tens of thousands of Arab and Muslim Americans.”

More than half of the governors in the U.S. have said that they would not take in Syrian refugees or put a pause on taking any refugees in to their state.

Moore added in his letter to Snyder, “By the way, my 700-sq. ft. apartment in northern Michigan is a little small, but it’s got cable, wi-fi and a new dishwasher! Also, no haters live on my floor! Stop by any time for a hot chocolate this winter.”

Moore’s documentary “Where to Invade Next” opens in New York and Los Angeles on Dec. 23 and nationwide on Jan. 15.

Related stories

DOC NYC Honors Visionary Filmmakers at Tribute Luncheon

Michael Moore Conquers AFI Fest With 'Where to Invade Next' Premiere

Michael Moore on 'Where to Invade Next' R Rating: 'I Will Make No Cuts' (EXCLUSIVE)

Get more from Variety and Variety411: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter