Detroit Evening Report: Thousands join ‘Hands Off!’ demonstrations in Detroit and beyond
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Scenes during the #HandsOff protest in Detroit on April 5, 2025.
Photo credit: Russ McNamara, WDET
Several thousand protesters — unhappy with the Trump administration’s cuts to federal employees, mass deportations, and tariffs — marched down Woodward Avenue from the Detroit Institute of Arts to Little Caesars Arena on Saturday.
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More than 1,200 “Hands Off!” demonstrations were planned across the country by more than 150 groups, with thousands gathering at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., New York City, Boston and other major cities.
In Michigan, there were protests held across the state, including in Troy, Ferndale, Wyandotte, Dearborn, Grand Rapids, Traverse City, Marquette and other communities.
Protester Aisha Banks, who splits her time between homes in Detroit, Colombia and Panama, says the president’s policies have hurt America’s standing as a global leader.
“This is the worst thing. It’s disastrous for the country as well as for the world,” she said. “It’s going to affect everyone, not just the United States, but everyone all over the world.”
The protest drew concerned citizens across generations. Patynn Johnson is a 10th grade student from Marygrove High School. She says now is not the time for her young people to be silent.
“My mama taught me, if somebody’s doing this to you, say something back. Speak out. You can’t just be quiet, because nothing’s gonna happen.”
When asked about the demonstrations, the White House said in a statement that Trump will always protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
–Reporting by Russ McNamara, WDET. The Associated Press contributed.
More headlines for Monday, April 7, 2025:
- The Embassy of Bangladesh is hosting a two-day mobile consular service event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 12-13, at the Al Ihsan Islamic Center in Warren, organized by the Bangladesh Society of Michigan. The event will offer services including issuance of the No Visa Required (NVR) seal, biometric enrollments for e-passports, and power of attorney services. No appointments required.
- The city of Detroit Construction and Demolition Department kicked off “Detroit Demo Week” on Monday, with events planned throughout the week aimed at fostering engagement and support for the city’s ongoing efforts to remove blight.
- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) awarded $8 million to 20 organizations to build Healthy Community Zones in several counties, including in the city of Detroit. The funding — from the Michigan Racial Disparities Task Force — is aimed to encourage community-led solutions for reducing racial disparities in chronic disease awareness and resources.
- The nonprofit Rising Voices is hosting a virtual community briefing from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 15, to educate people about the “Alien Land Law” bills. The organization says the bills “are rooted in anti-Chinese, anti-Asian, and anti-immigrant sentiments,” which allegedly are being branded as “national security” concerns.
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