MARQUETTE, MI— More than 3,000 people filled the streets of downtown Marquette Saturday afternoon, part of nationwide Hands Off! protests against the Trump administration’s cuts to the federal departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Veterans Affairs, among other issues.
Sponsored by the Lake Superior Region faction of the group Indivisible, marchers gathered at the Marquette Commons amid the rhythmic beats of Native American drumming.
Marquette County Democratic Party chair Jennifer Figler said folks are taking their anxiety and frustration about the Republican administration’s decisions and turning them into action.
“They’re using their people power to say no. This is harmful. We’re losing our Planned Parenthood clinic, here. We’re losing a Social Security Administration office. We’re losing a Bureau of Indian Health. We live in so much scarcity already; to lose more is super detrimental.”
Marquette resident Arlene Bidigare said she believes the country is becoming anti-democratic.
“All these people have to step up and save our democracy, because this is actually what’s happening, and it’s really quite scary. And people shouldn’t be afraid. You have to stand up to bullies. You can’t let them just trounce on our Constitution.”
Police closed off downtown streets from traffic as the protesters marched.
Five or six vehicles sporting pro-Trump messaging drove around the downtown area, but no altercations occurred.
The Marquette County Republican Party did not respond to a request for comment.
