Participants paint rocks at the Trenton Cultural Center on West Road during a “Rise and Rock: Paint the Town with Power” rally Aug. 16 protesting the actions of the Trump administration.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
TRENTON – Protestors lined West Road, painted rocks and listened to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson during a “Rise and Rock: Paint the Town with Power” rally at the Cultural Center.
Downriver United 734 event co-organizer Ashley Perry of Riverview said participants were painting small rocks to place at random locations Downriver to offer a message of solidarity against the actions of the Trump administration.
“We need to pull together and we need to fight what’s happening right now and give somebody else a little bit of joy in their day when they find the rock,” she said. “At the same time, we are supporting our brothers and sisters in Texas who stood up to Governor (Greg) Abbott, walked out of the state and brought it to everyone’s attention in the entire country.”
Perry said this was their way of showing support for the Texas Democrats who were opposed to Republicans’ plans to maintain U.S. House of Representative seats during upcoming midterm elections through an attempt to further gerrymander the state’s district maps.
“In the areas where we can we will rise up and we will show support any way that we can,” she said. “It’s amazing to see our entire community come together.”
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks during a “Rise and Rock: Paint the Town with Power” rally Aug. 16 at the Trenton Cultural Center protesting the actions of the Trump administration.
Downriver United 734 event co-organizer Jessica Schering of Trenton said that each event brings new participants, including those representing cities they weren’t expecting, which she said is wonderful.
“I think that other things that we try and incorporate are really multi-faceted, and we really want to help the community as well,” she said.
Schering said some of the proceeds from merchandise sales will be donated to Be Well My Friends, a Downriver non-profit that raises money for local charities and people in need.
“This is our tribe and this is what we love to do,” she said. “Seeing the generations come is really nice, and when people say they can just go home and take a deep breath, knowing that there are like-minded people out there and that we support each other is just a beautiful day.”
Local activist Lorena Baran of Wyandotte, who was painting rocks with her sons Julian and Roman, said she was grateful that so many people had come out on such a beautiful day.
“It makes me feel really inspired that we are there making change and we’re making community and art,” she said.
Benson spoke at the rally, then joined the rock painters, receiving a quick tutorial from a participating youth.
Ashley Perry of Riverview (left) and Jessica Schering of Trenton, leaders of Downriver United 734, provide information at the Trenton Cultural Center on West Road Aug. 16 during a “Rise and Rock: Paint the Town with Power” rally protesting the actions of the Trump administration.
She said the power of the people will always be greater than the people in power.
“I know right now it doesn’t feel like that because there is a lot of cruelty and a lot of corruption, but by doing things like you all are doing today, dissenting, calling out for justice, shining a light for the truth of democracy, this is how we fight back, this is how we win,” Benson said. “This is how we win back our government, win back our democracy, win back our communities and ensure there are places where everyone can be safe and healthy and have access to health care.”
She said it is important that people have voting access and have access to quality schools from which their children come home safe.
“We can fight for that,” she said. “We can fight to make Michigan a place where democracy thrives, where our economy thrives, and where every kid and every single one of our loved ones know they are safe and cared for and can thrive here in our state.”
She said she’s stood up to “the bully in the White House” plenty of times as secretary of state, and she won’t hesitate to do so if she becomes governor.
“We need to fight to ensure that our people are safe, that health care is accessible and that everything is affordable,” Benson said. “No matter how powerful someone may be or how wealthy they may be, I will always be in your corner standing up to them, fighting and winning, because we know that truth, justice, history and the vast majority of people in this state and in this country are with us.”
She urged those present to keep marching, fighting and standing up together.
“With love, with unity, with our power and with our voices we can break down the mightiest walls of oppression and cause our democracy to be strong,” Benson said. “We will truly ensure Michigan is the best place to call home and our democracy is once again a beacon for the world.”
Above and below, participants line West Road at the Trenton Cultural Center Aug. 16 during a “Rise and Rock: Paint the Town with Power” rally protesting the actions of the Trump administration.
