Hundreds of demonstrators carrying handmade signs lined streets in Ferndale and Troy on Saturday, Oct. 17, as part of the latest wave of “No Kings” events focused on getting people to vote early.
Demonstrators waved signs reading, “If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention,” “No kings in America,” and “We don’t bow, we vote!” Some signs were simply crossed-out crowns.
Their concerns ranged from the cost of living and immigration to civil rights, political influence and what they see as threats to democracy.
Among those joining the demonstrations was Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, the Democratic candidate for Michigan secretary of state, who spoke in Troy alongside other Democratic candidates and officeholders.
"The 'No Kings' movement has been
a really important assertion of people power, saying that you know democracy is worth organizing for," Gilchrist told the Free Press. "It's important that people speak out and have their voices heard, and as you can hear by the all the horns blowing in solidarity — that we're not alone."
The Detroit Free Press reached out to the Michigan Republican Party for comment on the latest "No Kings" events on but did not receive a response before publication.
The Saturday events in Ferndale and Troy were among at least 100 taking place across Michigan. While organizers have shifted the latest "No Kings" mobilization toward encouraging voter participation and early voting, opposition to President Donald Trump and his administration remained prominent among the crowd.
Individual events varied. In Ferndale, the theme was “Voting Is Your Superpower — Use It,” with a Captain America cutout for photos outside the post office. In Troy, attendees could get voter information, meet candidates or sign up to text voters and canvass ahead of Michigan’s Nov. 3 election.
Huntington Woods resident Michael Majewski, 46, brought his 7-year-old daughter, Jane, to the Ferndale demonstration. She made her own "No Kings" sign, drawing a crown and crossing it out.
Jane said she was excited to participate, “because I want to help our country.”
Her father, Majewski, said he worries about political influence overshadowing science and environmental concerns, and he wants human rights, women's rights and LGBTQ+ rights protected.
“We want human rights in general to matter again. We want women's rights to matter again. We want the queer community's rights to matter again,” Majewski said. “We want environmental issues being addressed and not being sold off.”
“Money is being prioritized over a lot of things, right, and we’re here to fight against that,” he added.
'Make that make sense'
Debbie Elliott, 71, of Royal Oak said she thinks about what today's political decisions could mean for her grandchildren, citing economic concerns, job losses, and the spread of misinformation.
“I want them to have opportunities, and I want them to feel safe, and I want them to feel free, and I want them to be who they want to be and not be prosecuted for it,” Elliott said. “I’m hoping that the people who voted for him will change their mind and realize that we’re here to show love and do good for the country.”
Detroiter Tracey Traylor, 59, who said she has attended several "No Kings" events around Metro Detroit, said she worries about the effects of Trump administration policies on Black communities, particularly changes involving diversity and equity programs, education and civil rights.
The Trump administration has taken several steps targeting DEI initiatives, including rescinding a decades-old equal-opportunity requirement for federal contractors. In Michigan, the University of Michigan announced in March 2025 that it would close its DEI office amid pressure from the Trump administration over DEI programs.
Traylor said she believes those changes could make it harder for Black students and workers to access opportunities.
“Make that make sense,” she said. "I would say in the last 10 years, we've been terrorized by someone who claims to love America, but he has done every single thing to show that he hates America and what we truly should stand for,” Traylor said.
'Get out and vote'
The Troy Democratic Club combined its street demonstration with election organizing.
Justine Galbraith, 47, of Troy, the club's vice chair, said organizers sold signs, provided voter information and set up tables for texting voters and canvassing. She said half of the proceeds from $10 sign sales went to the ACLU of Michigan.
“It’s time to vote for people who will stand up for human rights and our democracy and our constitution,” Galbraith said.
She cited the Trump administration's treatment of immigrants, tariffs and rising gas and grocery prices among her concerns.
At the Troy event, Tom Turner, the Democrat challenging Republican state Rep. Thomas Kuhn in Michigan's 57th House District, said affordability has consistently emerged as a top concern in his conversations with voters.
“Number one, first and foremost, is cost of living. Every single conversation starts with it's just way too expensive right now,” Turner said.
Turner urged participation regardless of voters' choice of candidate.
“Whoever you vote for. Make sure you get out and vote.”
Gilchrist on protecting voter information
Gilchrist, who is running against Republican Anthony Forlini, criticized the Trump administration's efforts to obtain Michigan voter information and said protecting voters' personal information would be a priority if elected secretary of state.
In 2025, the Trump administration sued Michigan in 2025 seeking voter data, but a federal appeals court in June upheld the dismissal of the case.
“I won't let him or big tech get their hands on the private information that people give the Secretary of State. Privacy matters to people, and that transcends partisanship,” Gilchrist said. “I know how to protect data really well. I'm a software developer. I'm the only software developer elected statewide in this country.”
Forlini could not be reached for comment as of Saturday evening.
Gilchrist also touted Proposal 2, the "money out of politics" initiative appearing on Michigan's Nov. 3 ballot.
The proposal would prohibit regulated electric and gas utilities, government contractors receiving more than $250,000 annually in government contracts, and certain affiliated people and organizations from making some campaign contributions. It would also expand disclosure and regulation of certain political communications, including online communications, according to a Michigan House Fiscal Agency analysis.
"The Michigan 'money out of politics' initiative (will) get dirty and dark corporate money out of our politics," Gilchrist said. "As Secretary of State, I'll oversee campaign finance law. I'll be the one to administer that, to bring transparency, so we can see that money, where it goes, to be able to go after the bad actors with my authority, and to close the loopholes that allow them to create an unlevel playing field for the people of Michigan."
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Email her at nrahal@freep.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 'No Kings' protesters rally against Trump, urge voters to turn out
