Thousands of people turned out at Clark Park in Southwest Detroit to protest President Donald Trump on Saturday, joining a wave of nationwide rallies denouncing authoritarianism and demanding protections for democracy and immigrant rights.
The “No Kings” demonstration in Detroit was one of several held across metro Detroit, including in Ferndale, Troy, Livonia, Novi, Roseville, and Romeo. Protesters carried homemade signs, chanted slogans, and called on political leaders to reject Trump’s threats to civil liberties and democratic institutions.
Organizers estimated about 5,000 participated in the Clark Park rally, among the estimated 4-6 million people attending No Kings rallies nationwide.
Among the speakers was U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who called on the crowd to resist the Trump administration’s policies.
“Dissent in our country is a value that needs to be cherished and protected, and you all in Clark Park right now are dissenting,” Tlaib told the cheering crowd. “You are dissenting. Not on our watch. Be proud of that.”
The event was peaceful but passionate. The only violence broke out when a coalition of motorcyclists lined up at the edge of Clark Park, with at least one wearing what appeared to be Nazi insignia. Some protesters and bikers shoved each other, and a biker punched an activist in the face, bloodying his nose, witnesses said. Police and other protesters broke up the skirmish.
