Latest news with #StandAgainstExtremism
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hundreds march at the Michigan Capitol against Trump policies, part of nationwide protests
Attendees of the Protect Democracy rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, on April 19, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz On the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which kicked off the American Revolution, hundreds of Michiganders gathered outside the Michigan State Capitol Saturday to protest against the Trump administration and its actions, especially as they pertained to immigration. They also marched along the sidewalks surrounding the Capitol, joining protests taking place in cities across the country. The sound of church bells around downtown Lansing coincided with the start of the rally organized by Stand Against Extremism, or SAGE, and promoted on social media, highlighting their call for freedom, equality, and justice, and their solidarity with nationwide protests organized by grassroots protest group 50501. Protests were also held across Michigan, including in Coldwater, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Livonia, Port Huron, and Portage. As the first speakers took their positions at the entrance to the Capitol, hundreds more people approached the Capitol grounds with anti-Trump, anti-authoritarianism, and anti-Nazi signs and banners. 'This is the anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution, and the democratic rights that were established during that revolution, and later confirmed and developed in the American Civil War, are now under attack,' said Tim Rivers, 65, a member of the socialist movement, during his speech. 'Hundreds have already been sent [to the El Salvodoran prison known as CECOT], and now Trump is threatening to take American citizens and deport them to El Salvador,' Rivers added. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX On April 17, Juan Carlos López-Gómez, 20, was released after being arrested in Florida by federal immigration agents, despite being a natural-born American citizen. However, Lopez-Gomez was not the only U.S citizen who had an encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. Ramiro Martinez, a Mexican immigrant and U.S. citizen, was surrounded and detained by ICE in Michigan earlier this month. Additionally, concerns about border patrol agents' actions under Trump's policies have been fueled by emails sent on April 11, around the country, by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to immigrants who entered the country using CBP One, a mobile app developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with an American citizen in Michigan also receiving those messages. Around 12:30, the march began on W. Allegan Street and marched once around the Capitol, as protesters chanted against the current administration. 'The purpose of our march was basically to defend our democracy. We wanted people to come out and express their discomfort with what is going on a national scale,' said Daniel Pfau, 37, a volunteer with SAGE. 'I hope that people see this event is by the people, for the people. We didn't need a national organization in charge. We showed up, and we took care.' After the march, a series of speakers took the microphone to express their concerns to the audience. Among the speakers were community members, social activists, and elected officials who primarily spoke out against the federal government's targeting of immigrants across the country. 'They are trying to distract us. They want people divided. They want to bring out the worst impulses in many people's hearts,' said State Rep. Jasper Martus (D-Flushing) during his speech. 'We need to think about all those folks who are going to church tomorrow morning and saying they're okay with deporting people who are here illegally. I'm a believer, but that's not what I believe in.' During the speeches, support was given for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident the Trump administration erroneously deported to his native El Salvador, which was echoed and chanted by the audience in favor of his release and return to the US. Abrego Garcia was arrested March 12 as he drove his 5-year-old son home, and was informed by ICE agents that his status had changed, despite an order that determined it was more 'likely than not that he would be persecuted by gangs in El Salvador' if he were returned there, according to court documents. Although ICE accepted his deportation was due to an administrative error, and the Supreme Court of the United States later ordered his return, on April 14, U.S. President Trump and El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele announced in the Oval Office that they would not release Abrego Garcia. Toward the end of the demonstration, near the Capitol, on the side of North Capitol Avenue, a Trump supporter counter-protested, giving speeches and holding a sign that read 'God, put Trump in.' This situation generated tense moments among the protesters, who approached to confront and argue with the lone counter-protestor. By the end of the day, no acts of violence or physical confrontations had been reported. Attendee of the Protect Democracy rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, on April 19, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Attendees of the Protect Democracy rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, on April 19, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Attendees of the Protect Democracy rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, on April 19, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Attendees of the Protect Democracy rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, on April 19, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Attendees of the Protect Democracy rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, on April 19, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Attendees of the Protect Democracy rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, on April 19, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz State Representative Jasper Martus (D-Flushing) during his speech at the Protect Democracy rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, on April 19, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Tim Rivers during his speech at the Protect Democracy rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, on April 19, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hundreds protest President Donald Trump, Elon Musk at Michigan Capitol Saturday
LANSING ― Hundreds of people gathered at the Michigan Capitol Saturday afternoon to protest President Donald Trump's administration on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. The rally, held by Stand Against Extremism in "solidarity" with the 50501 movement, began at noon with a march around the Capitol. Afterward, the crowd stood in front of the steps of the Capitol to hear from local organizers, politicians and community members. John Lathrop, a 75-year-old Vietnam veteran from Battle Creek, said Saturday's event was "about the third" rally or protest he has been to this year. "I don't agree with the current administration's policies, especially for veterans," he said. "Talking about cutting (Veterans Affairs), taking away from veterans..." Gordon VanTonne, 76, from Waterford Township and also a Vietnam veteran, added that it was "important for people to know what veterans stood for." Like the "Hands off!" protest earlier in April, protestors filled the Capitol lawn waving handmade signs opposing Trump and Elon Musk and calling on Congress -especially Democratic politicians - to act. There were fewer people than a protest held on April 5, when thousands showed up to protest the president's policies. Groups like the Socialist Equality Party and the International Youth and Students for Social Equity set up booths around the edges of the crowd. George Kirby, a Downriver resident, said he was trying to raise awareness about the organization and call for unity with the working class. Kirby, 35, said the American working class and young people were under attack, and there was no major party that was willing to stand up for them. "There needs to be international unity for working class people," he said. "We need a working class party in the United States." Shortly before the speakers, which included State Rep. Jasper Martus, D-Flushing, and Lansing activist Lorenzo Lopez, began, the crowd led a chant calling for the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a union sheet metal worker and father of three who the Trump administration admitted was wrongly removed from the country a month ago. The Trump administration has argued Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang, which they have labeled a terrorist organization, and in 2021 his wife sought a temporary protective order after a domestic dispute. "They need to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia back," Oakland County resident Tara Eavy said. "There was no due process. If it's happening to the most vulnerable among us, those with the least power, it could eventually happen to any of us." Eavy, 28, held a sign showing the Statue of Liberty removing her earrings as if getting ready to fight. It read, "Girl. Hold my earrings." The event Saturday was just one of many nationwide. In Michigan, similar protests have been held in Detroit, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids. Contact Sarah Atwood at satwood@ Follow her on X @sarahmatwood. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Hundreds protest Trump, Musk at Michigan Capitol Saturday
