Tag: Lansing

Thousands Rally in Lansing Against Trump-Musk “Power Grab”

LANSING, Mi. — April 5, 2025 — Today in Lansing, the lawn of Michigan’s Capitol transformed into a sea of handmade signs, booming chants, and collective outrage. Thousands of demonstrators gathered on Saturday as part of a nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against what organizers call a “billionaire power grab” by President Donald Trump and his top adviser, Elon Musk.

The protest was just one of over 50 rallies held across the state—including in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Kalamazoo—making it Michigan’s largest coordinated political action of the year. And maybe the biggest anti-Trump turnout in his second term so far.

“This isn’t just about politics,” said former U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow from the Capitol steps. “It’s about defending democracy and standing up for the people who keep this country running.”

She wasn’t alone. Michigan’s Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and Attorney General Dana Nessel also took the mic, calling out what they described as dangerous federal rollbacks under Musk’s new role in the Trump administration.

Wait—Elon Musk in government? Yep. Earlier this year, Trump appointed Musk as head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. Since then, that department has slashed thousands of federal jobs, closed Social Security offices, and gutted funding for housing, education, and health programs. The administration calls it “streamlining.” Protesters call it what it looks like: privatization on steroids.

“Elon Musk doesn’t belong anywhere near our government,” said Tina Rivera, a protester from Flint. “He’s trying to run the country like a startup. Real people are getting hurt.”

Many protesters carried signs that read:

  • “Hands Off Our Future”
    • “86 47“
  • “Resist”
  • Impeach Trump
  • Deport Musk

From retirees to high school students, union members to immigrant rights activists, the crowd was diverse—and united.

Lt. Gov. Gilchrist pulled no punches: “This isn’t efficiency. It’s erasure. Erasing jobs. Erasing safety nets. Erasing our voices.”

And while much of the focus was on federal cuts, speakers also sounded alarms about new tariffs threatening Michigan’s manufacturing industry, and the chilling effect on public education funding.

Many protesters feel that “Elon Musk is making massive decisions about our lives—and no one elected him.Chanting That’s not democracy. That’s corporate control.”

The protest was organized by the grassroots 50501 Movement, in coalition with over 200 national and local organizations. And according to spokesperson Maya Jordan, this isn’t the end. “People are angry, they’re awake, and they’re ready. Today was just the beginning.”

As the rally wound down, chants of “Hands off our future!” echoed across the Capitol lawn. And from the energy in the crowd, it’s clear: this movement isn’t backing down. 

 “This isn’t a one-time thing,” Several people told me. “We’re going to keep showing up, because this government is supposed to work for us—not the billionaires.”

Transgender Unity Rally Draws Hundreds to Michigan Capitol Amid Executive Order Concerns

LANSING, MI – A powerful display of transgender solidarity unfolded at the Michigan State Capitol on Thursday as more than 200 people gathered to voice their concerns over recent executive orders by President Donald Trump. The rally, organized by the Transgender Unity Coalition, was one of nine held nationwide to protest policies that activists say threaten the rights and well-being of transgender individuals.

Concerns Over Executive Orders

The executive orders in question include measures that cut federal support for gender-affirming health care, limit legal recognition of gender identities beyond male and female, and restrict transgender individuals from serving in the military. Rally leader Mallory Fournier spoke passionately about the fear and uncertainty these policies have created within the transgender community.

“We’re concerned for our access to health care. We’re concerned for our existence in society,” said Fournier. “If the federal government isn’t there to protect us and is actively trying to erase us, then some of our transgender siblings won’t be able to make it with us.”

Photos from the Rally

The rally featured signs with messages of support, pride flags waving in the wind, and powerful moments captured on the steps of the Michigan Capitol.

Testimonies from the Community

The rally featured a series of speeches from transgender individuals and their allies. Many shared personal stories about how the executive orders could affect their lives. Alexandra Hulscher, a volunteer with the advocacy group Trans Unity, emphasized the importance of feeling seen and supported.

“When you wake up in the morning feeling like yourself, you want to stay that way,” Hulscher said, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll of restrictive policies.

Taylor Bumgardner, another speaker, stressed the life-or-death importance of gender-affirming health care.

“I think access to gender-affirming care is literally life or death,” said Bumgardner. “It’s impossible to live uncomfortably in your own body, and that’s why everyone should have the right to exist as they are.”

Waabano Mandosking, who traveled from Sault Ste. Marie to attend, drew on her Indigenous heritage for strength.

“As a trans person and also an Indigenous person, it doesn’t feel good obviously,” Mandosking said. “I just keep reminding myself my ancestors persevered through worse administrations, and we survived.”

A Clash of Views

The rally was not without opposition. A small group of counter protesters, including members of Turning Point USA’s Michigan State University chapter, voiced support for the executive orders. Alex Bitzan, the group’s president, defended the federal government’s position.

“The idea that people can just be whatever they want to be without having to be accountable to objective reality is a fundamentally harmful one,” Bitzan said.

Tensions flared at moments, but the rally remained largely peaceful, with the transgender rights activists maintaining their focus on unity and resilience.

Political and Community Support

State representatives Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) and Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) were among those in attendance, showing support for the transgender community. Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Twp.) also addressed the crowd, recalling her role in amending the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to protect LGBTQ+ Michiganders.

“We see you. We love you. We are protecting you,” said Brixie. “Do not give up. Engage, participate, join us, help us. You matter.”

The rally took place just two days after President Trump signed an executive order cutting federal support for gender-affirming care for minors. The move has sparked widespread criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates, who argue that denying health care to transgender youth is cruel and harmful.

A Long History of Struggle

Among the speakers was Grace Bacon, 84, widely regarded as the mother of Michigan’s transgender community. She founded Crossroads in 1977, the state’s first transgender support group. Bacon urged attendees to remain strong in the face of adversity.

“We’re being picked on, and we’ve been picked on, and it’s not gonna let up,” said Bacon. “Trump’s emboldened a lot of hatred toward all of us. And we’re all targets. But for the rest of you, you’re gonna come out of this eventually, and I hope we all do. We’re here to stay. We’re here; we’re queer; we’re gonna stay here.”

Hope and Resilience

Danny Jones, a nonbinary attendee, shared a deeply personal reflection on choosing hope over bitterness.

“It would have been so easy to walk through that door and to become bitter and cynical, but I don’t want to go through that door,” said Jones. “Hope is a choice. It’s something we can feed. It’s something we can put those logs on the fire and keep alive. And we can do that for each other.”

The rally closed with chants of solidarity and messages of perseverance. Organizers emphasized that this gathering was just the beginning of a continued effort to advocate for transgender rights and push back against restrictive policies.

“I hope that people know that there is a community,” Fournier said. “We’re here, we’re organizing, and we’re doing our best to combat any legislation that tries to erase us. Because we exist. We will still exist. And together, we can make it through this.”

The Transgender Unity Coalition confirmed that similar rallies were held Thursday in California, Colorado, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin. The national effort aimed to unite the transgender community, assert their presence, and demand justice from elected officials.

As the sun set on the Capitol, one message remained clear: the fight for transgender rights is far from over, but the community remains steadfast in its determination to exist, resist, and thrive.