Last Saturday, “Hands Off!” was a huge success both statewide and nationwide! Third Act Michigan helped organize events in Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti as well as Grand Rapids, and our membership attended events all over the state. Third Act’s “Hands Off!” rally at Beacon Hill, a retirement community in Grand Rapids, was spotlighted in Rachel Maddow’s coverage of the nationwide protests that day. Watch it here!
Across Michigan, there were more than 50 protests in locations ranging in size from tiny crossroads towns to large metro areas. The crowds were peaceful, good humored and joyful in demanding that Trump and Musk take their “Hands Off” our government, social security, Medicaid, VA, and more. Even small towns in Trump country, like Bad Axe in the Thumb, had 200 folks turn out. Michigan’s largest was in Detroit (10k), where demonstrators marched down Woodward in Midtown. Lansing (7k), Grand Rapids’ downtown (4k), and Ferndale (2k) hosted events too. Statewide, we had a fun, heartwarming and hopeful display of solidarity among people of all ages, across all kinds of divides. Protest actions also took place in Holland and Muskegon.
The Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti protest attracted 4K people! It was organized by Third Act Michigan, the County Democratic Party, Ann Arbor Indivisibles, and other groups.
Some of our favorite signs:
- “It’s so bad even the introverts are here”
- “Worst sequel ever”
- On a dog: “Dogs against DOGE”
- “Honk if you’ve never drunk-texted war plans”
- “O Canada, we hate him too!”
- Held by a small girl: “It’s time to use my OUTSIDE VOICE”
- A drawing of overlapping circles. One circle is “The Darkest of Times” and the other is “The Dumbest of Times.” The overlapping section is labeled, “You Are Here.”
The events generated a surge of optimism and an awareness that while there is a daunting amount of work to do together, we know now that we have millions of Americans with us in this fight.
Please share your experience of the April 5 “Hands Off!” We’d love to hear more!