People attend a Hands Off my Democracy rally April 5 at the Dearborn West Peace Park, joining people nationwide in protesting the policies of the Trump administration.
State Rep. Erin Byrnes (D-15th District) speaks during a Hands Off my Democracy rally April 5 at the Dearborn West Peace Park, where local residents joined people nationwide in protesting the policies of the Trump administration.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN – A diverse group of people gathered April 5 at the Dearborn PEACE Park West to protest what they deem are President Trump and Elon Musk’s attack on American rights and freedoms.
Events were held across the country protesting what was characterized as a “billionaire power grab.”
Many carried signs protesting cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid; efforts to dismantle diversity initiatives; cuts to medical research programs; plans to harvest resources in national parks; the imposition of worldwide tariffs; cuts to federal educational funding; attacks on voting rights; limits on female reproductive freedoms; threats to take over Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal; and attacks on the Constitution.
Attendees marched east on the sidewalk along Michigan Avenue from Howard Street to Oakwood Boulevard before returning to the PEACE Park on the westbound Michigan Avenue sidewalk.
State Rep. Erin Byrnes (D-15th District), City Councilmember Leslie Herrick and U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-12th District) spoke, calling for the freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
Byrnes called for those in attendance to take a stand against fascism, which is defined as a far-right, authoritarian and ultra-nationalistic political ideology characterized by a dictatorial leader and forcible oppression of the opposition.
People attend a Hands Off my Democracy rally April 5 at the Dearborn West Peace Park, joining people nationwide in protesting the policies of the Trump administration.
“Let me hear you if you are ready to stand up in support of our democracy,” she said. “We have a lot of work to do and I know it’s going to be tough, but I know that we’re tougher, and I know that when we all stand together, we can achieve great things.”
Tlaib, who arrived after attending another rally in downtown Detroit, said she knows those assembled have the power to fight against the illegal actions, the cruelty and the un-American way they are coming after federal workers and cutting federal programs.
“If they really were about efficiency, they would have went to the Pentagon,” she said. “We will never, ever bow down to fascism.”
Tlaib said we did not “create a country for kings.”
“We didn’t create a country for billionaires,” she said. “Unions have saved our country so many times.”
Tlaib said the first 10 weeks of the current Trump presidency “have been hell.”
“Do not give up,” she said. “We are fighting for our country.”
Above and below, people attend a Hands Off my Democracy rally April 5 at the Dearborn West Peace Park, joining people nationwide in protesting the policies of the Trump administration.
People attend a Hands Off my Democracy rally April 5 at the Dearborn West Peace Park, joining people nationwide in protesting the policies of the Trump administration.
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-12th District) speaks at a Hands Off my Democracy rally April 5 at the Dearborn West Peace Park, joining people nationwide in protesting the policies of the Trump administration.
Dearborn City Councilmember Leslie Herrick speaks at a Hands Off my Democracy rally April 5 at the Dearborn West Peace Park, joining people nationwide in protesting the policies of the Trump administration.
Protesters gather for a Hands Off my Democracy rally April 5 at the Dearborn West Peace Park, joining people nationwide in protesting the policies of the Trump administration.