Millennials at Trump's Detroit protest stress importance of youth political action
In the midst of protesters and mounted police, Detroit native Jaylin Harris stood on the curb of a roundabout with an American flag propped over his shoulder.
"Last time Trump was here, all he did was talk down to and about Detroit," he said. "But there's so many positive things going on — we're tearing down abandoned houses and we have a great police force — I don't think he sees the city is changing."
Harris was one of hundreds who attended the anti-Donald Trump rally earlier today at Great Faith Ministries International Church in Detroit. Trump was present for mass, not speaking to the black congregation, but sitting in from about 11 a.m. to noon.
Outside the church, people from as far as Windsor gathered to protest Trump being in Detroit. The city, which is 82.7 percent black or African American as of the 2010 census, has been a talking point for Trump in the past few weeks. Most recently, Trump has promised he will get "95 percent of the African American vote" and how he will increase production for minorities living in inner city communities.
Danielle Atkinson, 34, from Royal Oak believes Trumps statements just aren't true, they're impossible.
Highlights from the Donald Trump protest at Great Faith Ministries International
"In elections past, we've really had to work to draw attention to the topic of race and how the policies of the Republican party disproportionately hurt people of color," she said. "This time, it's outloud. People are hearing these words they never thought they'd here from a presidential candidate before."
Atkinson identifies herself as a millennial, though "just barely." Her first time voting was in the 2004 election. She said she fears for millennials voting for the first time in 2016 because they will "come to expect this kind of craziness."
"This is going to set the stage for the rhetoric in two to four years. And the bar is going to be set so low," she said. "We have to guard ourselves of that. Or, we could use this as a means to have a discussion about race and racial injustice in politics. I'm praying for that (second option) and want to work towards that."
Trump's statements have not just moved Atkinson into action, but also Addison Rose Vincent, 24, from Canada.
Vincent, who goes by they/them pronouns, said voting in this election won't just impact America but the rest of the world. They came across the bridge earlier for the protest, donning a smock painted like a brick wall with the block letters "stop racism, sexism, xenophobia" painted on it.
As "Canada's Southern neighbors," Vincent said it's not just crucial for young Americans to keep an eye on the U.S. Presidential race, but Canadians as well.
"I recognize America's influence on the international economy and government," they said. "As a Canadian, I have no power in voting, but there is power in direct action. If you don't want to vote, or you can't, you can still be out here protesting. Push for a political candidate who you want to represent you."
That's where Harris is at.
While he cannot vote in this presidential election, only being 16, Harris said the importance of millennials in this election is overwhelming. Harris and his friend, 22-year-old Howell native Joseph Brennan, came down to the rally to not just show their physical support but to make his presence known in lieu of a vote.
"The way things are going, this election is going to leave a bad taste in my generation's mouth," Brennan said. "Unless we (stand up and) do something about it."
