Though the numbers vary in different reports from 7,000 to 10,000, the headline about the "Hands Off!" rally this past week was spot on: "Thousands protest Trump's policies at Michigan State Capitol on Saturday" is an accurate one.
Rick and I were among the crowd and it was an energizing, motivating, peaceful event.
Yes, a lot of the people were -- from a look -- 50 and older (face it, we know how to protest; we did it in the 60s and 70s!). We've had practice, even if we might be a bit rusty.
But there were younger people too -- and that was encouraging. Equally heartwarming were those I saw with wheelchairs, walkers and canes. They had to make an effort to get out on a cold, potentially rainy day (it held off). Commitment.
It was also a creative rally, with loads of signs expressing disapproval of what is happening in our country -- and how it affects both Americans and those around the world.
Most of this post is photos -- I'll let those speak for themselves. But this fellow touched us. He said he didn't know what to put on a sign, didn't have the words. So he asked people to lend him their words and sharing on a sign. It was a great idea and one that many took advantage of doing.
The signs covered just about every element of what is happening in the US these days -- international relations . . .
. . . Challenges to democracy, free speech, social security, LGBTQ rights, health, veterans affairs and benefits, threats to the Constitution and of course, the economic situation.
If there was any doubt about what people were feeling, this one encapsulated it.
Some signs were just clever!
And this one -- not only clever, but well drawn!
Elon Musk was mentioned on many, and there were more than a few riffs on the acronym MAGA.
And yes, this one reminded me of a time when our government didn't have a cabinet and Congress that followed like sheep, that we were two parties of individuals, one tending to lean more liberally, the other more conservatively, but not unwilling to cross the line to protect what our country.
We can only hope that day will come again.
Sooner, rather than later.
Sharing with: Tom's Signs2 / Friday Face Off
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48 comments:
...Jeanie, saw some signs! Tough times never last, tough people do!!!
I went to the one in Portsmouth, NH (photos for my Friday Face Off post but I feel like I'm getting so far behind everyone else's posts-grin.) It looks like a fantastic crowd. And energizing was the right word. I really like the 2 countries one family shirt photo. I saw some "sorry Canada we love you" signs but the short is great. Let's hope our confessional legislators are listening to what everyone has to say. hugs-Erika
There was a massive crowd at our state capitol in St. Paul, too. I wasn't able to join as I was home with Will. It would be hard to take the kids to a rally at their ages as I envision them kind of running off/being hard to contain. But some day I will take them to one - although I hope things improve to the extent that rallies won't be necessary!
Boy do I miss the days of John McCain. Or John Kasich. Just something with some common sense and humility. I"m encouraged that some senate republicans are crossing the aisle to limit his powers but not enough are doing that. The mid-terms feel so far off but I expect a huge blue wave because we are heading for a self-inflicted recession.
Hello
It is great to see the crowds of peaceful protestors.
I like reading all the signs, like "there will be hell toupee".
Take care, have a great day!
Wasn't it a wonderful start! I know what you mean about ages. I am in my late 60's and I felt like one of the young ones. But there was a glimmer of youth. A young man, early 20's was standing awkwardly by me. I asked him if he needed a sign (I brought two in case of weather damage) - he lit up and when he moved to stand by friends asked if he could keep it. Then a young girl who was working at the businesses behind us came after her shift. Some people had to leave and we got her a sign too.
80 years of building a decent-ish nation, shredded in less than 100 days. how fragile it has been all along- hanging by a thread, one BSAH comes along with wicked intent and BOOM, gone just like that *snap*, this nation may never dig itself out of the hole but other nations may take the helm- China for one, oldest living culture on the planet, they know how to survive, they are like the Borg!!
Thanks for attending and bringing us these pictures. I feel like I've participated from afar!
Some great signs there, thanks for sharing!
April 19th!
May
Warms my heart to see the people from where you were--right there in the thick of it!! I was glad to hear we even had about 2,000 people show up here in Trump territory. Abd that they plan to keep gathering every Friday through June! Gives hope to so many!! :)
Good for you for showing up like that. It wasn't a great day, but you were there.
Great to see so many out...and encouraging to those who may be able to do something in the big scheme of restoring sanity
This looks like a big rally in Michigan. And lots of concerned people of all ages gathering here. Glad to hear it was a peaceful event. That must have been quite an experience to be there, Jeanie.
~Sheri
This looks very similar to our local Hands Off protest, Jeanie, and I also noticed a lot of older people as well as people in wheelchairs etc. Yes, we certainly know how to protest. I put quite some of the posters and signs on my blog, some of them were so creative. The guy who didn't have the words and asked others to write on his poster - what a great idea, and it builds community right away. Let's hope these protests will result in something good - we have to keep vigilant and raise our voices again and again.
Jeanie, so proud of you guys! I'm with you in spirit!! Love the signs.
I love the signs! There were similar messages from the postcard groups.
these rallies received a lot of support in so many places. perhaps it will have an impact, and people will take notice!!
Watching coverage of the Hands Off events (from Japan) gives me such hope. Thank you for taking part!
I would love to be there photographing the crowd
I hope that these protests swell in numbers and increase in frequency and that your elected representative are besieged unceasingly. And people stop using Amazon and buying Teslas. And, and, and…….If ever there was a time for mass revolt it is now.
It is very interesting to see the signs, some are clever, other are funny. It's good to see many people protesting for their rights. I hope it continues for as long as it's needed.
Oh those words..Two countries one family.Says it all.I found it heartwarming this résistance of the USA.Kudos for attending. But is anyone listening? I hope so..It is all too familiar this déja vu.Thank you.
Good for you!
So happy you could make it and share with us. I found it so uplifting. I love that sign where he had others put their words down. So many clever signs. Thanks for participating and sharing with us here.
Great on you for participating in these rallies. I do hope they bring some change, although with "Luna tick" up there won't be easy... Loved the "Parasites" sign
I wondered if you were out there! Great job!
Good for you...Keep up the good work!!
Our small town turned out about 400 people to protest what the administration in Washington is doing. I like your photos of your rally. You can see my photo on my blog today.
That is excellent! I hope something happens. People are suffering.
Well done guys!
I was unable to attend for health reasons, but one of our TV stations live streamed it, so I felt like I was there. I saw Carola's post and was so glad she and her husband were able to attend. I saw lots of Hands Off signs, but NONE trying to save both PBS and NPR, M.T. Greene's attempts to get rid of my favorite TV programs. I hope to go once the weather warms a bit. Thanks for taking us with you.
There were many, many friends there that day, and did not meet all of them--I'm glad you and Rick were among them too, Jeanie. And huh--way to remind everyone that you've protested in previous decades and know how to do it :)! Great collection of signs!
My favorite sign was "How do I get paid to be here?" Trump claiming George Soro was paying everyone who demonstrated last weekend a million each is so ridiculous I don't see how he could even say that with a straight face.
Good to see so many people...we are in strange times.
I was very disappointed at having to search so hard on our news sites for it - I don't know if it is suppression or the state of journalism.
Woot. Woot. Good on you for joining the protest.
Although the day of protests was very satisfying, as quite a few bloggers documented (including me) this week things seem to be going from bad to worse. I did enjoy seeing the wide variety of posters here and on other blogs. It’s interesting that no comments are negative about the protests. I hope the pro-evil readers will stay in their caves.
Jeanie,
Good for you!!! So proud of you!!! We need more of these protests....
Thanks for stopping by!!
Hugs,
Deb
Great to see so many people out!
The Meidas Touch on you tube did a synopsis of the protests.
Looks like a great turn out - yeah protest baby!
You did see some great signs! It's heartening to see so many people coming together for a peaceful protest.
Terrific photos and wonderful signs! I laughed out loud at "How do I get paid to be here?"
Jeanie, I’m so proud of you and Rick going to protest! I love the creativity of some of those signs. I go back on April 23 for more X-rays and to hopefully get rid of my big foot boot. Then I got approval to be admitted to the hospital for extended EEG testing. Afterwards it will be a day at a time.
Yes, I have hope that things will be better. Thank you for protesting and for sharing this with us!
Love that the protest was peaceful.
Fantastic post. I do like the guy that has the sign that reads, "lend me your words." As I wrote on other blogs. I am proud that so many people world wide stood up. Thank you for sharing with FFO and have a nice weekend.
that's heartening to see people protesting all the madness. We are all having a giggle here at our Aussie penguins having to pay tariffs :)
sherry
Sorry I am late. YES. We have been so waiting for you all to stand up!!!!
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