I have covered the news in Livingston County for over three decades, and I’ve never seen anything quite like today’s No Kings rally in downtown Howell, part of the nationwide day of protest of President Donald Trump and his policies.
Despite the 2,700 No Kings events planned across the U.S. being painted in recent days by some Republicans as “Hate America” rallies, the reality — at least in red, red Livingston County — was way more party than protest. The vibe in downtown Howell was all peace and love; and it appears divine intervention turned predictions of rain into a beautiful fall day.
Today’s event will go down as the biggest, happiest protest ever in Livingston County. A preliminary crowd estimate from law enforcement just after the event began pegged its size at 1,500 people; but soon after that, the crowd swelled, and the rally spread to both sides of Grand River Avenue. I’d venture that there were well over 2,000 people in attendance, maybe even closer to 2,500.
Folks were having fun. Lots and lots of fun. The party vibe was helped along by music: songs from Taylor Swift’s new “Life of a Showgirl,” as well as music from Bruce Springsteen and others could be heard from time to time. There were chants of “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Donald Tump’s gotta go.” Traffic honked and waved as the block of Grand River Avenue between Michigan Avenue and North Barnard Street became a sea of bodies and signs.
There were even a good number of inflatables there, including a green frog who became the symbol of resistance in the Portland, Ore., protests against ICE.
While it was all peaceful on the part of protesters, there was this one guy in a black SUV who jumped out of his vehicle to yell something unintelligible at protesters before zooming away, and one truck that “rolled coal,” spewing stinky exhaust on the protesters. But that was it.
And hats off to those shepherding protesters from one side of Grand River Avenue to the other. They kept people off the roadway, and they kept traffic moving.
What a pathetic attempt at division within our community. No KAANNGGGSSSS
Of course not. Nearly every city and town in the U S of A had No Kings gatherings that day. Please do not lean into conspiracy lies. Thank you.
Really,
Pretty sure they all could have been doing something else to enjoy the weekend instead of celebrating a king. A king, We the People told over 250 years ago, To Take a Hike.
We The People elected a president, a good president and his name is Donald Trump.
Keep up the good work Donald Trump.
lol, no… there are people left in the world who care
Thanks for the coverage – really happy to see Livingston County turning out!
There was one young guy across the street from us, in a closed down gas station, that was trying to run my 68-year-old sister over on a lawn mower. He almost stared at a big fight. But we got my grandson calmed down and myself. Got my sister out of there. Defused, the situation and refused to take the bait and got on with the peaceful protest.
It was a wonderful gathering of true patriots! Thank you for your excellent coverage of this happy event. 8647
Were any of the attendee’s paid?
Thank you for the article! We were there and it was peaceful and fun as you described. Way more than the number actually registered. Kudos to you on this, because the Livingston Daily (and the Detroit Free Press) have exactly ZERO coverage of this (and the other local Detroit area events) as of mid-day Sunday. There was a small mention of nationwide events in the extra Gannett section that is part of every one of their papers in the country. Shame on them, but we will remember…
Thank you for reporting on this wonderful event Maria.
You missed out on the guy with the huge Trump flag walking up and down the sidewalk for anout 15 minutes. He was gently booed on first foray and then ignored.