TRAVERSE CITY — One of the largest nationwide protests on record is scheduled for Saturday as hundreds of thousands of Americans mobilize against the policies of the Trump administration.
Known collectively as “Hands Off!,” the demonstrations will occur in all 50 states, spanning the continent from Alaska to Florida.
Several northern Michigan cities are also participating, including Traverse City, Bellaire. Benzonia, Elk Rapids and Manistee.
Participants are protesting against “billionaire takeover and rampant corruption” of the Trump administration, cuts in federal funding for Social Security, Medicare and other programs and an end to attacks on immigrants, trans people and other communities, according to an event website.
More than 1,000 people are expected to participate in the Traverse City’s downtown starting at 1 p.m. Lead organizers in this area are Traverse Indivisible and Leelanau Indivisible.
Demonstrators will gather in the large parking lot at the corner of Boardman and Eighth streets, just south of the Governmental Center, and hear short speeches by “ordinary people, not politicians” from about 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. At about 2 p.m., protesters will line both sides of Eighth Street in “a peaceful, nonviolent demonstration,” organizers said.
The Traverse City event is scheduled to end about 2:30 p.m., after which many are expected to gather at two nearby restaurants – Raduno and Silver Spruce, they added.
Disability Network Northern Michigan, 415 E. Eighth St., is also hosting a public open house for participants.
Organizers said they’ve been working with the Traverse City Police Department and Grand Traverse County “to make Hands Off! safe for everybody.”
“Hands Off!” rallies are taking place in more than 1,000 cities nationwide. As of Friday, nearly 400,000 people have signed up to attend the events, according the event’s national website.
Demonstrators in other nearby cities will also participate in Hands Off! at the times below, according to event’s main website:
“Hands Off! Elk Rapids Fights Back” – 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the clock on River Street“Hands Off! Benzie” – 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Benzonia, 901 Barber St.“We Do Not Submit to Tyranny!” in Bellaire – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Richardi Park, 402 N. Bridge St.“Hands Off! Manistee Fights Back” – 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at First and Cypress Streets