Heavy response for small protest at Michigan State Capitol

A row of National Guard vehicles lined up behind the Capitol. – Skyler Ashley/City Pulse

While attendance was sparse, a number of armed demonstrators still made an appearance. – Skyler Ashley/City Pulse

Armed demonstrators at the Capitol today. – Skyler Ashley/City Pulse

Journalists interview one of the Trump supporters in attendance. “Trump is the greatest president of my lifetime. I was born in 1995,” he told reporters. – Skyler Ashley/City Pulse

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shakes hands with a member of the National Guard. – Skyler Ashley/City Pulse

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer thanking the National Guard. – Skyler Ashley/City Pulse

Officers on bikes ride past National Guard vehicles as they patrol the streets near the Capitol and City Hall. – Kyle Kaminski/City Pulse

A man claiming to be from the “Nerf Gun Militia” lampooned armed Trump supporters. – Skyler Ashley/City Pulse

Police officers ready their equipment in the early afternoon before crowds gather. – Kyle Kaminski/City Pulse

A demonstrator carrying a cross that reads “STOP DESTROYING HEAVEN” rests beside a National Guard vehicle. – Kyle Kaminski/City Pulse

There were a large number of journalists and camera crews at the Capitol. Here, reporters interview a Michigan State Police officer. – Kyle Kaminski/City Pulse

Mayor Andy Schor participates in a vide – Kyle Kaminski/City Pulse

Few dozen turn out for right-wing rally in Lansing

SUNDAY, Jan. 17 — Cops and news reporters vastly outnumbered demonstrators at the Michigan State Capitol today. Despite expectations of large crowds and warnings of potential violence from armed protesters, the scene was mostly quiet by 2 p.m.

City Pulse counted fewer than two dozen protesters, but plenty more police officers and soldiers with the Michigan National Guard.

Reporters scrambled to interview a few armed activists amid the constant whirl of a Michigan State Police helicopter that hovered above.

Lansing Mayor Andy Schor, City Council President Peter Spadafore and U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin were spotted on the scene. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was also seen thanking several National Guard soldiers staged on the south side of the Capitol.

Here are a few photos from earlier today. Check back for additional coverage from City Pulse.