'Enough is enough'

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* Video: CM Life on assignment: No Kings Muskegon *
* Letter: Know your rights while protecting others' *

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GRAND RAPIDS — A hot and sunny Saturday didn't stop Stacey Hilton from donning an oversized suit and tie, yellow wig, stage makeup and a small toy crown. Under a blazing sun, she circulated among the thousands of area residents gathered at Ah-Nab-Awen Park to show their displeasure with the president and his agenda. 

Her message was clear. 

“We are not alone,” Hilton, a demonstrator at Grand Rapids' "No Kings" rally and demonstration, said. “It’s important for us to see there are others like us.” 

Hilton said she tries to attend as many protests as possible. 

“I see our country slipping quicker and quicker into an authoritarian state that I can’t tolerate,” she said. “This is not America, this is not how America should be, this is not how I want America to be … so any opportunity I get, I am speaking out.

“I wish that my fellow Americans who continue to support Trump would basically wake up, and I’m just hoping that we are better than this in the end.”

No Kings was a nationwide day of defiance to come together and advocate for democracy. June 14, Flag Day and President Donald Trump’s birthday, saw millions gather in nearly 2,000 communities across the nation, to rally against the administration and its policies. 

The largely peaceful rallies across the nation served as a counter to Trump’s long-desired military parade through the heart of Washington, D.C. The parade, which the Associated Press reported saw more than 6,000 soldiers and 128 Army tanks rolling through the capital city, carried an estimated price tag of up to $45 million. 

Closer to home -- at demonstrations in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Ferndale, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Lansing and Midland, among dozens of other communities -- thousands of Michiganders peacefully assembled to share their worries about topics ranging from the protection of human rights and social safety nets to governance via executive order. A small-and-peaceful counter-protest in support of the administration punctuated the event in Charlevoix. 

"I love this country," Billy, one counter-protestor who did not provide his last name, said as he waved an American flag. 

Around 1,700 gathered in Midland's Grove Park before marching to the Central Park Bandshell. 

Community members of all ages joined, carrying various signs and flags protesting authoritarianism and promoting democratic values.The event and march were hosted by Women of Michigan Action Network (WOMAN) and the Midland County Democratic Party.

 Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel spoke about the greater importance of the crowd being at the protest.

“Donald Trump doesn't represent our values, but all of us do,” Nessel said. “We will not bend, we will not break, we will not lie down. We will stand up. We will fight back.”

Midland resident Malekhi Batalla, 19, attended the event to protest immigration. Batalla's father was deported 20 years after migrating from Mexico. Batalla said if his dad fought for him, he would do the same.

“We need to unite as not only a city, but as a nation, to defend ourselves, as well as the Constitution, from the oligarchy that is becoming present in your nation,” Batalla said.

The event also hosted a variety of groups that tabled and shared information at the bandshell.

Karla Castellanos and Kathy Kinkema tabled at the event for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, which advocates for responsible gun ownership, gun legislation to prevent gun-related suicides, unintentional shootings, and to secure guns.

Castellanos said that people were afraid to join the rally after lawmakers were shot in Minnesota.

“We have a right to feel safe in our communities, in our homes, in our churches, in our grocery stores, at events like this,” Kinkema said. “Our children shouldn't have to live like that.”

At People’s Park in Petoskey, some 3,000 people gathered near the Petoskey Clock Tower. 

Among them was Brendon R., who did not provide his full name, although he dressed up as an American flag for the event. 

“It’s a lot of people making bad decisions very loudly,” Brendon said of the Trump Administration.

Demonstrators proudly waved custom signs at the various protests, and in Grand Rapids, several chants — including “Protesting is not a crime,” “Out of our jobs and out of our schools,” “No kings, no crown, we’re gonna take Trump down,” and many more — could be heard throughout the city.

Several attendees said it is important to stand up for a cause, regardless of personal reasons.

Deb Vandernaalt was on-hand in support of her child.

“I have a transgender son, and he deserves to exist. That’s why it’s important to me,” Vandernaalt said. “I need to let people know we are normal people too.

“Maybe we can make a difference and someone will listen to us for once, and we can do something to make a change in our government.”

Similar sentiments came from the roughly 300 people gathered on Bridge Street in downtown Charlevoix. Demonstrators brought signs and held them up to passing cars. A pro-Trump rally took place down the street, with roughly 10 in attendance. 

Boyne City resident Paula Herzog attended the No Kings rally and voiced her concerns about the future, especially following mass deportations carried about by the Trump Administration.

“We suffer for our hatred.” Herzog said, “(and) hate is winning.”

Back in Grand Rapids, veterans played a huge role in running the protest and speaking up. Army Veteran Rich Jennings turned the American Flag upside down before the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of the National Anthem. 

“Our country is in distress, when she flies like that, that's not what she says,” Jennings said. 

Thomas Carpenter, a Navy veteran, sang the National Anthem. He saw the No Kings rally as a kick-off to action, rather than a one-off.

“I feel that this [protest] is just the beginning, it’s just going to get greater later,” Carpenter said. “This is an opportunity for folks to come away from COVID and a lot of disruptive things in our country and be able to be around each other without being afraid.” 

Carpenter and good friend James McNorton, a member of the Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids, were advocating for human rights during the protest.

“I really believe we’re all on the right side of history right now,” McNorton said. “We need to share a lot of love between us. No matter who you are, we all belong on the same Earth.” 

The protest was peaceful, with people gathering around a stage in the park to listen to speakers and singers, and to chant together. The turnout was hopeful and good, according to several attendees.

“It’s a wonderful turnout, it’s a beautiful day,” Adrienne Demilmer, an attendee, said. “I’m hoping it’s going to be much sunnier here than what it will be like in Washington, D.C.; I hear there’s going to be rain and thunder, and I really hope it comes.” 

Across the state, in Ferndale, an estimated 4,000 protestors lined nearly a mile of Woodward Avenue. 

Protestors of all ages carried handmade signs and participated in chants such as, "hey, hey, ho, ho, Donald Trump has got to go." A steady stream of honks from passing vehicles filled the air as passersby showed their support.

"Honestly, I had vowed to stay away, but I said to myself, 'No, it's gone too far and I need to get back out,'" protestor Laurie Bassett of St. Clair Shores said. "And so here I am. This is my first outing, but I thought it was important enough to get out here." 

Tom Burke, president of IATSE Local 26, the stagehands union in West Michigan, and Becky Palmer, an Indivisible Greater Grand Rapids leader hosted the West Michigan rally. They see a greater mission in the work that started Saturday. 

“This is bigger than a political disagreement; enough is enough,” Palmer said. "We must be the voice for the people who cannot speak up.

“We are all in this together, you are not alone. We must protect the Constitution.” 

Central Michigan Life multimedia reporter Soli Gordon contributed to this report.