‘It’s literally terrifying’: Hundreds protest in Detroit amidst clash with police, Trump supporters

DETROIT, MI – Some went toe to toe with police. Others with a small group of counter-protesters. Many shouted expletives, cursing President Donald Trump.

Because for the hundreds of protesters who amassed in Detroit Tuesday — near the site of a presidential appearance — confrontation was the point.

“My bosses chose to see Trump speak today, and so, I took a day off to wave at them as they went by,” Farmington Hills resident Sarah Reed said Jan. 13, jokingly outside the MotorCity Casino, where Trump spoke before the Detroit Economic Club.

Minutes earlier, Reed, 59, was among the group standing their ground before Detroit police as they attempted to move the anti-Trump crowd off the Grand River Avenue sidewalk and to a “designated protest area” at Trumbull and Temple Street.

Protesters first gathered at Cass Park with speakers from BAMN, a coalition that stands for “by any means necessary” in advocating against the Trump administration, before the group marched toward the casino — their numbers growing larger and their chants louder the closer they got.

The crowd was prevented by police from heading west on Temple, where a perimeter was set for the event inside.

Detroit Police stand united after arresting two protesters and forcing hundreds to move up the street under an upside down flag, which is a sign of the country in distress before President Donald Trump spoke at the MotorCity Casino on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2025 in downtown Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)

Slowly, they were directed around the casino by a line of police — a Detroit sergeant verbally threatening the use of chemical munitions and arrest. MLive journalists witnessed police arrest two protesters for not complying with orders within 30 minutes of each other.

The Detroit Police Department confirmed to MLive Thursday night that they only arrested two protesters related to the Trump visit.

“I’m confrontational. But I also know my rights,” Reed said, waving an upside-down American flag backed by a black flag emblazoned with the word “resist.” “They’re kicking us off a public street. If you and I were standing here tomorrow, we would have every right. But today, we don’t.

“They can change it in minutes. It’s literally terrifying. Call me a snowflake, call me whatever the (expletive) you want. But just be a good person. Stand up for what you believe in — for both sides.”

Sarah Reed, 59, of Farmington Hills, raises her arms up as a few hundred people protested the visit of President Donald Trump outside of the MotorCity Casino on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2025 in downtown Detroit. Protesters took to the street as they marched throughout the city while Trump spoke. (Jake May | MLive.com)

A variety of policy issues were laden throughout Tuesday’s march and rally, though federal immigration enforcement dominated concerns just days after the Jan. 7 shooting of Renee Good, a U.S. citizen born in Colorado, by a federal agent in Minnesota.

Good, a 37-year-old mom of three was shot in her SUV by an ICE agent in Minneapolis during protests of ongoing immigration crackdowns. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Good “weaponized her vehicle” and tried to run over one of the officers after disregarding orders to exit her vehicle. She said the agent feared for his life and “fired defensive shots.”

Most of the rhetoric targeted Trump directly with clown and “piggy” impressions etched on signs and costumes. Other signs mocked the president’s previously association with Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender, and his perceived similarities to a fascist dictator.

Jim Runestad, a White Lake Township resident and state chairman of the Republican National Committee, was headed into see Trump speak as protesters passed.

While the anti-Trump speech ramped up outside, he said he was expecting there to be “a lot of unity” inside, especially for the Trump administration’s prioritizing “deporting criminals.”

“The Democrats want them here because they don’t care,” Runestad said, referencing protestors’ advocacy for undocumented immigrants. “They do not care if people are here preying upon the American citizens. They only care about creating new congressional districts to expand the number of districts in Democratic areas. That’s what this is about.”

Protesters disagreed.

“Just everything,” Hector Rojos, of Oak Park, said when asked what about Trump drew him to the rally. “He’s a piece of (expletive). I hate that guy.”

Lindsay Duke, of Ann Arbor, dressed up in red like a handmaid from the titular Margaret Atwood novel with tape across her mouth, admitting clashing with her father over Trump was part of the motivation for her participation.(Jake May | MLive.com)

For some, the motivation to protest was personal.

One masked demonstrator, who declined to be identified, shouted at police off Grand River, adding their place was “on the front line” after their advocacy cost them their marriage.

Another protester Lindsay Duke, of Ann Arbor, dressed up in red like a handmaid from the titular Margaret Atwood novel with tape across her mouth, admitting clashing with her father over Trump was part of the motivation for her participation.

The march followed Trumbull to Michigan Avenue and Third Avenue, where the crowd congregated.

Three counter-protesters waving “Don’t Tread on Me” and American flags, shouted over a line of police at anti-Trump demonstrators. They called members of the protest “commies,” called for “freedom” and restoring law and order.

Two of the Trump supporters declined to give their names. The third was 23-year-old Jayden Scott, a video of whom shouting at protesters in Minneapolis went viral earlier this month.

Metro Detroit residents Alycia Barrett and Jennifer Palmeri carried signs with accusations about Trump.

The issues they were concerned about, how tax dollars were being allocated — the list of concerns they had was long. But impact on democracy, they said, drew them out.

“We’ve been duped and tricked. It’s just sad,” Palmeri said.

Early in the march, they waited back to see what happened after the first protester was taken into custody. Palmeri said they believed rights were being violated, as cars were allowed past a police presence.

“We just needed to make a point,” she said.