The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
Two days before President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, about 700 Michigan activists rallied at the Michigan Capitol on Saturday afternoon to express their concerns for the future.
In 2017, more than 1 million people gathered for the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., to protest Trump after he was sworn in for the first time, sparking demonstrations across the country in years to come.
Now that movement has been rebranded as the People’s March, and rallies were held in D.C. and across the U.S. on Saturday — but they were significantly smaller than they were eight years ago.
The Lansing event was organized by Monica Haladnya of Lansing and Don Carroll of Kentwood and began indoors at the Central Michigan United Methodist Church down the street from the Capitol Building. Unlike previous rallies that drew Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, former U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing), U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) and many others, there did not appear to be state or federal officials attending.
“It’s for everyone. This is the People’s March. It’s for everyone — for every person that has concerns about Trump. It’s not just abortion or immigration … it is about all America,” Haladnya told the Michigan Advance in an interview.
Protesters shuffled into the church pews with handwritten signs in hand, with messages like, “Hate Never Made a Nation Great” and “Tolerance Does Not Mean Tolerating Intolerance.” Many attendees expressed concerns about Trump’s plans for mass deportations, as well as the future of abortion rights and LGBTQ+ rights.
Rich Burstall, the church’s senior pastor, welcomed people and said the church was proud to host the event “because this is what we do.”
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
In a short speech, Haladnya told the crowd she’s a shy person, but felt it was important to organize the demonstration.
“For me it’s hard,” she said. “I’m an immigrant and I have a transgender child who’s disabled.”
Following a few speeches, protesters marched to the sounds of drums down the sidewalk of North Capitol Avenue, past the Gov. Austin Blair statue and stopped before the Capitol steps.
Adam Droscha, senior pastor of the Charlotte First Congregational United Church Of Christ, spoke on identity, community and the shared bond the audience had.
“These are the things we have in common, our humanity and our home. We are here; we share this place,” Droscha said.
But he noted that we are struggling with climate change-related disasters and marginalized groups are being targeted with mass deportation and laws ending reproductive rights.
“We are subject to dehumanizing messages and practices everywhere,” Droscha said.
Haladnya addressed the crowd again, speaking about her child who has a disability and her struggles dealing with racism and living paycheck-to-paycheck.
“I am never getting deported. I love Lansing; this is my town,” Haladnya said. “… I’ve got my doctors here; I’ve got my friends here; I’ve got a house here. … I’m not going anywhere.”
LGBTQ+ advocate Cheryl VanDeKerkhove and Monica Haladnya, an organizer of the People’s March in Lansing, Jan. 18. 2025 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
Monica Haladnya, an organizer of the People’s March in Lansing, Jan. 18. 2025 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The Rev. Rich Burstall at the People’s March in Lansing, Jan. 18. 2025 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
Don Carroll, Monica Haladnya and the Rev. Rich Burstall at the People’s March in Lansing, Jan. 18. 2025 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
Don Carroll at the People’s March in Lansing, Jan. 18. 2025 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
Adam Droscha, pastor of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, speaks at the People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Central Michigan United Methodist Church in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Central Michigan United Methodist Church in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The Rev. Rich Burstall at the People’s March in Lansing, Jan. 18. 2025 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Central Michigan United Methodist Church in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
Monica Haladnya and the Rev. Rich Burstall at the People’s at the March in Lansing, Jan. 18. 2025 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
Don Carroll at the People’s March in Lansing, Jan. 18. 2025 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Central Michigan United Methodist Church in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March protesters march to the Michigan Capitol on Jan. 18, 2025 in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March protesters march to the Michigan Capitol on Jan. 18, 2025 in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March protesters march to the Michigan Capitol on Jan. 18, 2025 in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
Adam Droscha, pastor of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, speaks at the People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
Adam Droscha, pastor of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, speaks at the People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
LGBTQ+ advocate Cheryl VanDeKerkhove speaks at the People’s March in Lansing, Jan. 18. 2025 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
LGBTQ+ advocate Cheryl VanDeKerkhove and Monica Haladnya, an organizer of the People’s March in Lansing, Jan. 18. 2025 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
Joann Dula speaks at the People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
Joann Dula speaks at the People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
The People’s March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
Don Carroll speaks at the People’s March in Lansing, Jan. 18. 2025 | Abdelafatah Mukhtar
