Thousands participate in "Hands Off" protests across Michigan
Hundreds of thousands of people across Michigan attended "Hands Off" protests on Saturday afternoon.
More than 1,000 demonstrations were planned nationwide on April 5. The main Detroit protest started at the Detroit Institute of Arts. A protest also happened at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing.
Demonstrators at the Detroit rally listed federal government cuts, lack of checks and balances and getting the attention of the Trump administration as reasons for attending.
The nationwide protests are aimed at President Trump, billionaire Elon Musk and are organized by grassroots organizations, nonprofits and political groups.
National organizers call the protests a "mobilization to stop the most brazen power grab in modern history," and say "Trump, Musk, and their billionaire cronies are orchestrating an all-out assault on our government, our economy, and our basic rights — enabled by Congress every step of the way."
The protests come on the heels of Mr. Trump's announced so-called reciprocal tariffs applied to imports from about 90 nations, which were followed by at least two days of plunging stock markets domestically and worldwide.
"This mass mobilization day is our message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire allies," Detroit organizers said. "Alongside Americans across the country, we are marching, rallying, and protesting to demand a stop to the chaos and build an opposition movement against the looting of our country."
The march was about 3.5 miles in length and was expected to conclude by 4 p.m.
Hands off protest locations in Michigan
As of Friday, more than 50 protests were planned across Michigan. Protests will be held in cities like Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Traverse City, Sault Ste. Marie, Ann Arbor and Marquette.
Hands off protest locations nationwide
Hands Off protests were scheduled in all 50 states.
