Thousands gathered at the State Capitol in Lansing Saturday to protest President Donald Trump's administration. It was part of a nationwide "No Kings" protest, which included many locations across the state of Michigan.
Thousands of protesters rallied against President Donald Trump’s administration at the state Capitol in Lansing Saturday.
They named several issues, like immigration enforcement raids, cuts to federal programs, and fears of political violence as top concerns.
Elizabeth Shokoya is a medical student at Michigan State University. She said she also protested in 2020 during Black Lives Matter demonstrations. But she said this moment feels different.
“This one feels more impending doom. Like it’s not only impacting people who are minorities. It’s impacting women. It’s impacting disabled people. It’s impacting everyone. And it feels like you need to be out here to say something because if you don’t say something, then they’re just going to take everything away from us and we’ll regret it,” Shokoya said.
The Trump administration has defended its actions as promoting government efficiency and restoring law and order to American cities.
The Lansing demonstration was one of many organized around the state and country on Saturday. The No Kings rallies were a counter to a military parade President Trump hosted in Washington D.C.
Megan Ropeta is an organizer. Ropeta said more major rallies will come.
“This is not a sprint. This is a long game so we’re in it, we’re buckling in and we’re going to be planning stuff like this for as long as it takes,” Ropeta said.
Rachel Lewis
/
Michigan Public
Crowds of protesters gathered in downtown Ann Arbor, MI, holding signs indicating their unhappiness with President Donald Trump's administration.
The rallies also coincided with increased demonstrations in response to immigration raids around the country that have been taking place this week, especially in Los Angeles. There, President Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom have sparred over the use of U.S. Marines and California National Guard troops to quell protesters.
Lansing’s rally featured speeches, a march and a carnival.
Terry Link attended with a large puppet named “Peace Mama.” Link said he’s been protesting since 1968 and that persistence is key for any social movement.
“People get out to the streets, it starts to share. People feel like the thoughts that they have, they’re not alone. And they get strength from that. They keep pushing,” Link said.
1 of 14 — PST00071.JPG
Protesters gathered at the State Capitol in Lansing on Saturday hold signs in protest of President Donald Trump's administration.
Colin Jackson / MPRN
2 of 14 — 20250614_135737.jpg
Protesters gathered at the State Capitol in Lansing on Saturday hold signs in protest of President Donald Trump's administration.
Colin Jackson / MPRN
3 of 14 — 20250614_122527.jpg
Protesters gathered at the State Capitol in Lansing on Saturday hold signs in protest of President Donald Trump's administration.
Colin Jackson / MPRN
4 of 14 — IMG_2232 (1).jpg
Crowds of protesters gathered in downtown Ann Arbor, MI, holding signs indicating their unhappiness with President Donald Trump's administration.
Rachel Lewis / Michigan Public
5 of 14 — IMG_2240.jpg
Crowds of protesters gathered in downtown Ann Arbor, MI, holding signs indicating their unhappiness with President Donald Trump's administration.
Rachel Lewis / Michigan Public
6 of 14 — IMG_2261.jpg
Crowds of protesters gathered in downtown Ann Arbor, MI, holding signs indicating their unhappiness with President Donald Trump's administration.
Rachel Lewis / Michigan Public
7 of 14 — IMG_2004.jpg
Crowds of protesters gathered across Michigan Saturday to show their dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump's administration, including at Detroit's Clark Park.
Matt Shafer Powell / Michigan Public
8 of 14 — IMG_1997.jpg
Crowds of protesters gathered across Michigan Saturday to show their dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump's administration, including at Detroit's Clark Park.
Matt Shafer Powell / Michigan Public
9 of 14 — IMG_2003.jpg
Crowds of protesters gathered across Michigan Saturday to show their dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump's administration, including at Detroit's Clark Park.
Matt Shafer Powell / Michigan Public
10 of 14 — IMG_6422 (1).jpg
Large crowds of people held signs and American flags and gathered around the mill pond in Brighton, Michigan to show their dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump's administration on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Rebecca Williams / Michigan Public
11 of 14 — IMG_6426 (1).jpg
Large crowds of people held signs and American flags and gathered around the mill pond in Brighton, Michigan to show their dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump's administration on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Rebecca Williams / Michigan Public
12 of 14 — IMG_6421 (1).jpg
Large crowds of people held signs and American flags and gathered around the mill pond in Brighton, Michigan to show their dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump's administration on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Rebecca Williams / Michigan Public
13 of 14 — 20250614_140840.jpg
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Brighton, Michigan, as part of the "No Kings" protests held across the country on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Lindsey Smith / Michigan Public
14 of 14 — IMG_6436 (1).jpg
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Brighton, Michigan, as part of the "No Kings" protests held across the country on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Help WKAR reach 200 donations by June 20 to fund more of the fact-based reporting mid-Michigan relies on. When we hit the goal, MSU Federal Credit Union will unlock a $10,000 gift in support of your public media station.
