Hundreds join 'Hands Off' protest in Adrian against Trump cuts to federal government
ADRIAN — Hundreds of people gathered Saturday at the Old Lenawee County Courthouse to express their displeasure with actions President Donald Trump and his administration have taken since he took office in January.
Part of a national day of action, the "Hands Off" protests aimed to draw attention to efforts by Trump, presidential adviser Elon Musk and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and Trump's cabinet secretaries to shrink the federal government through mass layoffs and canceling contracts and grants. There were more than 50 protests across Michigan and more than 1,200 across the U.S.
At the Adrian protest, people held signs advocating for Medicare, Medicaid, women's rights, Social Security, cancer research, LGBTQIA+ rights, elections and workers as they chanted, "Rights are what we're fighting for/We don't want a fascist state," and, "No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here."
"The theme is 'Hands Off' and you pick the subject matter," said Denice Benjamin of Blissfield, one of the Adrian protest's organizers from Lenawee Indivisible. "We want our legislators to stop him from cutting these benefits that we've paid for our entire lives."
Attempts to cut the Department of Education and funding for libraries, national parks, and clean air and water regulations were among the actions that drew protestors to the old courthouse lawn. There were so many people at the rally that they spilled across Main Street and Maple Avenue. Protesters lined the Main Street sidewalk down toward the judicial building's entrance.
"It's important to show how unhappy we are with the way our government is going now," Valerie Bays of Adrian said as she wore a sign reading, "Hands off our democracy" and held a sign that said, "We the people under siege" with an image of an upside down American flag — a distress signal.
"We're trying to show our freedoms are being taken from us in big numbers," Robbin Bays, Valerie's husband, said, adding that Trump's actions will lead to poor people becoming poorer, the rich becoming richer and vulnerable populations being neglected. "The cruelty of this government is unbelievable."
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He wore a Ukrainian flag like a cape and carried a sign that read, "Impeach Krasnov. Felon. Rapist. Liar." The "a" in Krasnov was replaced with a swastika. A former KGB agent claimed on Facebook that Trump was recruited by the KGB in the 1980s and given the codename Krasnov.
Tony Lara of Adrian, a retired U.S. Air Force master segreant, rode his electric scooter around the courthouse lawn while playing the song "We're Not Gonna Take It" by the rock band Twisted Sister. The band's lead singer, Dee Snider, is an outspoken critic of Trump.
Another one of the protest's organizers, Sarah Clark of Tecumseh, said she's concerned about federal funding for at-risk students in schools. She said she's a teacher and reading specialists who work with students are paid for with federal funds.
"I don't think anyone is against making things smaller and more efficient," Benjamin said, "but what they're doing is nuts."
During the 90-minute event, several passing drivers honked their horns to show their support, but not everyone was supportive. Some drivers with Trump flags affixed to their pickups drove past, and one driver caused black smoke to pour from his pickup's exhaust next to the protesters who used their signs to waft the fumes away.
Still, there was. asense of solidarity among the protesters.
"Something I didn't expect for the first time in a month — I feel good," Mark Busha of Addison said. "I feel good and hopeful."
— Contact reporter David Panian at dpanian@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @lenaweepanian.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: 'Hands Off' protest in Adrian stands against Trump administration
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