"No Kings" protests sweep across Michigan and around nation
Protesters across Michigan and the United States rallied Saturday afternoon in a demonstration organizers called a "national day of defiance."
The "No Kings" rallies were described by organizers as "a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration."
The Detroit event at Clark Park was a mostly calm and peaceful demonstration with a few exceptions. A single counter-protester caused a brief disruption, but they were quickly stopped and escorted out of the park.
The program began with music and poetry, followed by a string of speakers from different community organizations. U.S. Rep Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan 12th District, was one of the speakers. She says it was important for her to be at the rally with her constituents.
"It doesn't surprise me to see this," Tlaib said. "I mean if you look at any country, I know people want to make the United States an exception, but when there was a regime, you know, pushing back against people's constitutional rights watching people being pulled out from the streets, it really makes folks show up, in a way, and say, 'Wait, we can't have this happen on our watch. I mean, many people are here because they want to make sure that our country stays our country, that it doesn't go to one man and allow him to continue to illegally make these actions."
After the speeches, attendees marched from Clark Park to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office in Detroit. They want Detroit to become a sanctuary city.
Organizers said nearly 8,000 people attended the rally in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Demonstrators there wanted it to be known that there are no kings in America.
"I admit, it's a little scary," Elaine Koprowski, who attended the event in Ann Arbor, said. "Especially considering what went on this morning in Minnesota, but we can't let fear win, and that's why we're here."
In response to Saturday's protests, Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga of Michigan's 4th District said the following in a written statement:
"The right to peacefully assemble is enshrined in the Constitution, but as a student of American history, "No Kings Day" took place on July 4, 1776. I find it ironic liberal activists chose this phrasing when it was Democrats, who, less than a year ago, installed a Presidential candidate without a single vote being cast in favor of that candidate."
Over 20 other "No Kings" rallies were scheduled for Saturday, according to organizers. Those communities included Adrian, Ann Arbor, Belleville, Brighton, Chelsea, Dearborn, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Fenton, Howell, Grand Rapids, Jackson, Lansing, Livonia, Marquette, Milan, Mount Pleasant, Novi, Port Huron, Roseville, Saline, Sault Ste. Marie, Traverse City, Troy, Waterford Township and Wyandotte.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said on Friday that protesters are welcome, but will be sent to jail if they break the law.
"If you come here and express your opinion in a lawful way, [we're] 100% supportive. We protect people, actually, sometimes at protests, so they have the opportunity to do that. But if you're going to damage property or impede traffic or do anything that's against the law, that's outside of boundaries," Bouchard said.
Michigan State Police said on Saturday afternoon that there were no known threats in the state and asked people to remain alert if attending an event this weekend.
Hundreds of similar demonstrations were set to take place across the U.S. on Saturday.
The rallies nationwide coincide with President Trump's 79th birthday and the planned military parade in Washington, D.C., celebrating the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary. Organizers of the protests said they wanted to draw attention away from the parade.
