By Sam Robinson
Michigan Chronicle
https://michiganchronicle.com/
The president’s visit to Detroit to speak at the Motor City Casino Tuesday was met by hundreds of protestors who stood on the corner of Temple and Trumbull before marching from the casino to Michigan Avenue in Corktown.
A diverse group of demonstrators were sprawled across the intersection at Trumbull Avenue outside of the Motor City Casino Tuesday afternoon. People who came were opponents of the federal administration, Iranian immigrants asking Trump to support their cause amid an anti-government protests, and at least one Republican supporter of Trump.
Two demonstrators were detained by police as officers asked the crowd to move away from the building that would eventually host President Donald Trump.
Some who attended the protest came directly after speaking at Detroit City Council, where pro-immigrant advocates urged council members to draft an ordinance limiting the powers of federal immigration agents in Detroit.
While most of the public commenters at council Tuesday were supportive of the group of advocates, some longtime residents said they felt like the needs of immigrants were being prioritized over Black Americans.
Detroit resident Beverly Kindle Walker said at the protest feels like Black Americans should support other groups facing persecution from the Trump administration.
“Even though we’re citizens of this country, our rights are still being violated,” Walker told Michigan Chronicle as she marched down Trumbull Avenue with the crowd. “We’re next. In the words of John Lewis, we need to ‘Get in the Way!’”
Yvonne Wyborny, a woman carrying petitions that would ban political donations from DTE and Consumers Energy, said she came to the protest because, “someone has to stand up.”
“I’m opposed to pretty much everything this administration is doing,” Wyborny said.
She expressed concern over cuts to the SNAP food stamp program she says is only going to get worse.
“It’s going to be devastating for so many people,” she said.
Another protestor, Don Brickner, compared ICE to the Nazi Germany Gestapo, and said sending military personnel into U.S. cities is something he would expect of an authoritarian leader.
“This is the first time we’ve had an autocratic dictatorial thug in office,” Brickner said. “I mean, Trump is a 34 count convicted felon, and a court adjudicated sex offender. So what do we do? We have to get out and protest and make our voice heard.”
Inside the casino, Trump promised Michiganders that prices were coming down thanks to his tariff policies that opponents say are putting Michigan workers at risk. While the UAW has supported “targeted tariffs” in an attempt to bring more manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.
However, detractors point to several mass auto industry layoffs since the policy was implemented.
In a statement following Trump’s remarks, DNC Chair Ken Martin pointed to a new Detroit News poll that found nearly two-thirds of Michiganders said household costs are increasing.
“Today, Donald Trump travelled to Michigan to try to sell his failed economic policies, which are raising costs for Michiganders and destroying thousands of jobs across the state,” Martin said. “Trump’s trip comes the same day as a new Detroit News poll that found that nearly two-thirds of Michiganders said they are seeing their household costs increase under Trump — and twice as many gave Trump an “F” grade for handling the economy as gave him an “A.”
You must be logged in to post a comment Login