Michiganders show up across the state to oppose Trump policies and say ‘No Kings’

Amid pro-immigration and anti-Trump administration slogans in English and Spanish, several thousand people gathered in Detroit’s Clark Park Saturday afternoon for the a No Kings Day march and rally. 

Among the speakers at the rally was Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), who expressed her support for the Detroit community in resisting the current federal administration.

“When I look at all of you, you don’t have to have a ZIP code in Detroit to understand that fascism hurts all of us. Many of you have your stance in why you’re here,” Tlaib told the crowd “Maybe immigrant rights. Maybe Free Free Palestine. Maybe LGBTQ. Maybe it’s fighting to make sure workers are protected. Maybe saying you will not dismantle education in our country. Whatever issue, the more we are connected, the more dangerous we become to this administration.”

Tlaib emphasized support for immigrant families affected by federal border agents, not only in Michigan but also across the country. She also commented on how tax dollars are contributing to the war in Gaza.

“That’s why you all are doing what you’re doing and resisting. In the streets and demanding that our families stick together, demanding that our rights be protected, demanding that our country come back for the people, by the people. It’s when you all resist.” Tlaib said.

As speakers addressed the attendees, some counter protesters approached, sparking minor clashes involving shoving and insults, which volunteer protesters helped disperse. Detroit Police arrived minutes later, but no arrests were reported. However, individual pro-Trump counter protesters kept walking through the crowd.

The Detroit gathering was one of dozens held across Michigan and more than 1,500 nationally. Other Michigan cities hosting protests included Flint, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Ferndale, and even as far away as Ironwood in the western Upper Peninsula.

In Lansing, as many as ten thousand people were estimated to have turned out for a protest around the Michigan State Capitol, as protestors held anti-Trump signs and waved American flags. The crowd later marched down Michigan Avenue to Cedar Street and then turned around and returned to the Capitol, where a No Kings carnival was being held.

Small Michigan communities also saw well attended protests, including in Republican-heavy Livingston County.

Approximately 300 protestors gathered in front of Howell City Hall where they were mostly cheered on by passing motorists. One of the protestors, Roni Evans of Howell, told the Michigan Advance she felt compelled to be there.

“It makes me sad. I protested a lot when I was younger and did rallies and campaigns, but I’m feeling so frustrated with what’s going on in this country that I had to come out,” Evans said.

At one point, a large pickup truck stopped on Grand River in front of the protest where the driver began revving its engine. However, a Howell Police officer quickly told him to move on. 

The protestors later marched through downtown Howell and were cheered on as they passed by the Historic Courthouse, where a Pride rally was being held by the Pride Alliance of Livingston.

Meanwhile, just down I-96 in Brighton, several thousand demonstrators packed into the city’s Mill Pond area to hear from several speakers, including Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel.

“At the end of the day, there is right and wrong. There is moral and immorality. At the end of all of our lives, the one question we’ll be asked is ‘What did we do in this moment?’ These rallies are important, but they have to lead to action,” Hertel told the crowd to loud cheers.

Michigan Advance Senior Reporter Ben Solis contributed to this report.