“Love, not hate, makes America great,” chanted protesters at the No Kings rally on Oct. 18, which included a crowd of Michiganders at the four-way intersection by Veterans’ Memorial Park in Ann Arbor. More than seven million Americans across the nation came together in protest for the demonstration.
“We feel like it is our responsibility to stand up against this oppressive government,” attendee Kris Corliss said. “None of this should be happening and everybody needs to stand up.”
The No Kings protests are a series of demonstrations that have taken place across the US in opposition to President Trump’s policies. The reasons for attendees’ participation are varied, but it boils down to one thing: they are unhappy with the direction the country is moving in.
“I think it shows that it is not just people on television who are anti-Trump,” an attendee who wished to remain anonymous said. “It shows that there are a lot of common people there as well.”
Those at the demonstration stood at the street corners with signs that called for the protection of democracy and the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). As well as this, some protesters came with papers to sign for things ranging from voter registration to petitions.
“The main reason I’m out here is to gather signatures for an initiative called ‘Invest in MI Kids,’” Thurston Elementary School fourth grade teacher Alexander Judge said. “[The initiative] would raise income tax on the wealthiest in our state to raise money for schools across Michigan.”
Invest in MI Kids proposes an additional 5% tax on annual taxable income over $1 million for joint fillers, and $500,000 for single fillers. The money will be exclusively used to benefit local classrooms by reducing class sizes and recruiting and retaining teachers. As well as this, it will add resources to career and technical education. Those interested can find events to sign the petition in person on their website.
On Oct. 21, there will be a mass call hosting people from across the country to celebrate the demonstration’s success and discuss the next steps. Those interested can sign up here.
