Statewide anti-Trump ‘bridge takeover’ protests garner small presence in Lansing

FRIDAY, March 14 — A statewide effort to “take over” Michigan bridges with anti-Trump protesters had a presence in Lansing today — but not much.

Despite the warm weather — or perhaps because of it — only about 15 showed up today to protest over U.S. 127 at rush hour. The effort responded to a call for statewide “bridge takeovers” by 50501 Michigan, formed initially to lead a coordinated national protest against the Trump administration in early February.

A simultaneous effort to occupy “Lil’ Penny,” the pedestrian bridge beside Pennsylvania Avenue’s infamous “truck-eating” bridge, had not garnered any protesters when it kicked off this afternoon.

The small turnout was an outlier for local anti-Trump protests, which have repeatedly seen attendance in the hundreds amid widespread backlash to the Trump administration’s mass layoffs and cost-cutting efforts. Earlier today, a “veterans’ march” brought over 100 to the state Capitol, according to Channel 6.

Monica Haladyna, who protested today, previously organized Lansing's People’s March Jan. 18. The event drew over 700 to the state Capitol, according to Michigan Advance.

“We need to stop Elon Musk and Trump before they end democracy,” Haladyna said. “Before they throw away the country. They have no respect, no regard for our country.”

Haladyna, an immigrant and the mother of a trans son, became involved in local activism last year after a friend of her son told her about Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s blueprint for a second Trump presidency.

“They have no respect for the little people,” Haladyna said. “We’re nobody to them.”

The bridge protest’s organizer, Kim Smith, said she was protesting over a multitude of issues, including women’s healthcare, LGBTQ+ rights and Elon Musk’s role in the U.S. government. But she is worried in particular about cuts to government-funded healthcare.

“I’ve got a family member, a veteran, being treated for cancer that he just found out about,” Smith said. “We’re not sure if his benefits are going to continue.”

After one passerby shouted his support for Trump, Smith laughed.

“When he starts losing his healthcare, we’ll see how he feels,” Smith said. “Give him another three months.”

Despite their low numbers, the protesters were galvanized by frequent honks and cheers from passing cars for their cause. Smith attributed the support to the widespread impacts of the federal budget cuts.

“It’s affecting everybody,” she said. “Everybody who’s a non-millionaire is being attacked right now.”