PHOTO ESSAY: No Kings In Detroit
Scenes from our day in Mexicantown to be part of the Nationwide Day of Defiance
The numbers are in and they are impressive.
Over 2,100 rallies nationwide with 11 million+ participants. Some of the big city events were just massive, but just as impressive was strong turnout in deep red states. If we make it through this whole thing there’s no doubt that the Saturday No Kings rallies will be considered a turning point in the fight against Dictatorship.
Meanwhile that would-be dictator was holding a pathetic military parade for his birthday and an attempt to scare the majority allied against him. With 200,000 expected Trump could only draw half that crowd and the show had an air of desperation. You can read my rather sharp take on that shit-show here.
Back in Detroit we (my wife and friend Tom) met up at Taqueria Lupitas in Mexantown for some lunch before things got started. Great food.
Things were filling up as we got to Clark Park and I was unsurprised — but still impressed — with the diversity of folks and it felt immediately good to be around a big group of like-minded people.
I was also thrilled to see so many young people at the protest. Higher enthusiasm among them is going to make or break this movement.
But, just like the many here, a shout-out to the Boomers, people of color, and especially women who are the heart and soul of the Democratic Party.
Needless to say, the signs were endlessly fun.
Everything went off without a hitch. There were a few Trump supporters (the black guy carrying an American flag below was one) who tried to disrupt things to no avail.
The organizers were ready, circling him and drowning out his microphone (he wanted immigrants to self deport) with drums and yelling. He left pretty soon after he realized he wasn’t getting anywhere.
Sadly, the sign I designed using assets from the No Kings website couldn’t be printed in time, but I’ll drop it below.
Best crow count for Detroit I’ve seen was in the Detroit News which simply had it at thousands. I’d say maybe 2,000? Apparently Ann Arbor had an estimated 8,000 and the Lansing event at the capitol looks pretty robust too.
The speakers were good, not fantastic, but a few got the crowd going with chants. We left before Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib closed the protest. I’m sure she was good given that it’s her district and that kind of event is in her wheelhouse.
On the way home Amy and I stopped at Octopus' Beer Garden on the Clinton River in Mt. Clemons. When we lived in Detroit and my parents had the child, we’d often meeting in the middle to get here. I can’t believe it’s the first time we’ve been to a Beatles-themed restaurant in the area. They’ve really upped the ante since we were there under a different name. Beyond the Betales theme they have a barge docked beside the place for live music. Really cool summer vibe. Great perch.
We also met two couple who were on their way back from the No Kings protest in Troy. They also reported a good crowd and a healthy dose of younger people.
Speaking of younger people — they probably left the protests and headed out for a big Saturday night.
We came home and took a nap.
Meanwhile in Chicago, Madison went to a protest in Evanston which is close to her Rogers Park apartment. It drew an estimated 1,000 people.
She went home and watched the new season of The Handmaid’s Tail.
Appropriate.
