Protesters gathered across the U.S. on Saturday as part of a series of “Hands Off!” demonstrations.
Opponents of President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk gathered to protest the administration’s actions on government downsizing, the economy, human rights, and other issues.
Across the U.S., more than 1,200 “Hands Off!” demonstrations were planned by more than 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, labor unions, LBGTQ+ advocates, veterans and elections activists.
--->Read: Protesters tee off against Trump and Musk in “Hands Off!” rallies across the U.S.
‘Detroit Fights Back’ rally
Thousands of protesters met at the Detroit Institute of Arts at 1 p.m. on Saturday for a “Hands Off! Detroit Fights Back” rally.
They met in front of the DIA and then, marched to Little Caesars Arena, before making their way back.
“They’re taking everything they can get their hands on -- our health care, our data, our jobs, our services -- and daring the world to stop them. This is a crisis, and the time to act is now,” organizers wrote on the event page. “This mass mobilization day is our message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire allies.”
Janet Burke told Local 4 that she attended the protest because she felt strongly that people’s rights were being taken away and that democracy is in a “state of disrepair.”
“I think I’ve been insulted by this administration and this is my way of protesting,” Burke said. “Please call, email, write your congressperson, your representatives and tell them in no uncertain terms that you do not appreciate your rights being taken away from you.”
A protester who chose to remain anonymous said the rally was a “reflection of the sentiment of half of America towards Donald Trump’s policies turning government upside down.”
Another protester said that everyone had a different reason for being there, but that they believed the administration needed to be held accountable.
“I’m out here to protect democracy I am 75 years old and I cannot believe that I am in a position like this in my own country. That I have to protect free speech, due process, the institutions that make this country great,” Deborah said. “I think this resistance is just going to grow. If you look at this we’re almost lined up all the way down to the LCA right now and this is a growing resistance, as Americans wake up and realize what is happening to the country that they love.”
Other ‘Hands Off!’ rallies in Michigan
According to events scheduled on Mobilize, there were a dozen protests planned in Michigan.
Rallies were scheduled in Escanaba, Milan, Manchester, Lansing, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Saline, Owosso, Sault Ste. Marie, Wyandotte, Rothbury, and Muskegon.
Michigan Republican Party Chair Jim Runestad defended President Trump’s cuts.
“What they’re trying to do is contain the fraud, waste, and abuse of which it is massive and stop this incredible spree that the Democrats think can go on forever like a big, long party that never ends,” Runestad said. “Oh no the party is going to be a hangover like we haven’t seen with the worst depression if we don’t get this spending under control.”
