A protest of Pr*sident Donald Trump’s fascist anti-immigrant and anti-refugee Executive Orders at Detroit Metro Airport tonight drew over 2,000 people spread out across two levels of the Macnamara Terminal and completely filling half of the baggage claim area. The permitted protest started at 4:00 p.m. and was slated to end at 6:00 p.m. However, it was well past 6:30 by the time police were able to clear the majority of the protesters out.
We arrived late, around 5:30 and there were still long lines of cars and trucks sporting signs and American flags trying to get in. We parked offsite and took a shuttle in with a Mexican citizen who holds a green card to work in America. He was traveling to São Paulo, Brazil for work and, though he was not part of the protest, it was clear he was sympathetic to the cause and very concerned about being able to return to the U.S. where he and his wife live next week at the end of his business trip. Our driver, Bob, was terrific, telling us, “I think it’s great what you are all doing.”
When we arrived at the terminal, the upper level was packed full of exuberant protesters chanting “Ho, ho, hey, hey. Get out the way, Trump. Get out the way!” and “No ban! No wall!” Down below, the baggage claim area was packed with vigilant police officers perched atop the baggage conveyors, making sure things remained peaceful (which they did.)
Here are photos from the event taken by Anne along with video I shot at the departures level.
Bob the shuttle driver
Washtenaw County represent! (Eclectablog, Jane Forman, and Leslie Sobel)
This final stunning image is by TJ Rogers and is used with permission. You can see more of his work on Twitter and on Instagram. Click through for a larger version.
