The People’s March will take place on January 18, 2025, at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
Two days before President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, approximately 700 Michigan activists gathered at the Michigan Capitol on Saturday afternoon to express their concerns about the future.
More than 1 million people attended the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., in 2017 to protest Trump’s inauguration, sparking future demonstrations across the country.
That movement has now been rebranded as the People’s March, and rallies were held in Washington, D.C. and across the country on Saturday — but they were much smaller than they were eight years before.
Monica Haladnya of Lansing and Don Carroll of Kentwood organized the Lansing event, which began inside the Central Michigan United Methodist Church, just down the street from the Capitol Building.
Unlike previous rallies attended by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, former U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing), U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), and many others, there were no state or federal officials present.
“It is for everyone. This is a People’s March. It is for everyone, including those who are concerned about Trump. In an interview with the Michigan Advance, Haladnya stated that the issue extends beyond abortion and immigration to encompass all of America.
Protesters shuffled into the church pews, holding handwritten signs that read, “Hate Never Made a Nation Great” and “Tolerance Does Not Mean Tolerating Intolerance.” Many attendees expressed concern about Trump’s proposed mass deportations, as well as the future of abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.
Rich Burstall, the church’s senior pastor, welcomed attendees and stated that the church was proud to host the event “because this is what we do.”
Haladnya stated in a brief speech to the audience that she is shy but felt it was important to organize the demonstration.
“For me, it’s difficult,” she explained. “I’m an immigrant and I have a transgender child who’s disabled.”
Following a few speeches, protesters marched down North Capitol Avenue, past the Gov. Austin Blair statue, and came to a halt in front of the Capitol steps.
Adam Droscha, senior pastor of Charlotte’s First Congregational United Church of Christ, spoke about identity, community, and the audience’s common bond.
“These are the things we all have in common: humanity and home. “We are here; we share this place,” Droscha stated.
However, he noted that we are dealing with climate change-related disasters, and marginalized groups are being targeted with mass deportations and laws that end reproductive rights.
“We are subject to dehumanizing messages and practices everywhere,” Droscha pointed out.
Haladnya addressed the audience again, this time discussing her disabled child and her struggles with racism and living paycheck to paycheck.
“I will never be deported.” “I love Lansing; it’s my hometown,” Haladnya said. “… I have doctors, friends, and a house here. “I am not going anywhere.”
LGBTQ+ advocate Cheryl VanDeKerkhove and Monica Haladnya, an organizer of the People’s March in Lansing on January 18, 2025 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
Monica Haladnya, an organizer of the People’s March in Lansing on January 18, 2025 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
The Reverend Rich Burstall at the People’s March in Lansing on January 18, 2025 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
Don Carroll, Monica Haladnya, and the Rev. Rich Burstall attended the People’s March in Lansing on January 18, 2025. Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
Don Carroll at the People’s March in Lansing on January 18, 2025. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March will take place on January 18, 2025, at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
Adam Droscha, pastor of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, addresses the People’s March on January 18, 2025, at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
The People’s March will take place on January 18, 2025, at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
The People’s March will take place on January 18, 2025, at the Central Michigan United Methodist Church in Lansing. Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
The People’s March will take place on January 18, 2025, at the Central Michigan United Methodist Church in Lansing. Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
The Reverend Rich Burstall at the People’s March in Lansing on January 18, 2025 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March will take place on January 18, 2025, at the Central Michigan United Methodist Church in Lansing. Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
Monica Haladnya and the Rev. Rich Burstall at the People’s March in Lansing on January 18, 2025 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
Don Carroll at the People’s March in Lansing on January 18, 2025. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March will take place on January 18, 2025, at the Central Michigan United Methodist Church in Lansing. Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
On January 18, 2025, People’s March protesters marched to the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
Adam Droscha, pastor of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, addresses the People’s March on January 18, 2025, at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
The People’s March will take place on January 18, 2025, at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
LGBTQ+ advocate Cheryl VanDeKerkhove speaks at the People’s March in Lansing on January 18, 2025 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
LGBTQ+ advocate Cheryl VanDeKerkhove and Monica Haladnya, an organizer of the People’s March in Lansing on January 18, 2025 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March will take place on January 18, 2025, at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
Joann Dula speaks at the People’s March on January 18, 2025, at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
Joann Dula speaks at the People’s March on January 18, 2025, at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
The People’s March will take place on January 18, 2025, at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
The People’s March will take place on January 18, 2025, at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. Abdelafatah Mukhtar.
Don Carroll speaks at the People’s March in Lansing on January 18, 2025. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
