MARQUETTE, Mich. -- Last Saturday, Sept. 20, in Marquette about 100 Upper Peninsula citizens peacefully demonstrated their concerns for democracy, immigrants, workers, voting freedoms, peace around the world, and more -- one group rallying in front of the U.S. Post Office and another marching through part of downtown dressed in black. Both groups displayed a variety of signs.
On Sept. 20, 2025, Citizens for Peace and Justice hold a peaceful rally in front of the US Post Office in Marquette, MI. Concerned citizens of the Upper Peninsula display signs on democracy, voting rights, unions, peace in Gaza and Ukraine, and more. (Video by Keweenaw Now)Kathy Manville of McMillan, Mich., (near Newberry, Mich.) said she came 100 miles to Marquette to join the demonstration in front of the Post Office with her daughter, Jo Arthur of Marquette.
"This is my 11th rally since April," Manville told Keweenaw Now. "We want to keep the country we have -- no kings, no fascists."
Local residents Becky and Martha displayed signs calling attention to several of their concerns while playing a recording of the song "Stand Up for Your Rights," sung by Bob Marley.
During the September 20, 2025, rally in front of the Marquette Post Office, Becky and Martha, residents of Marquette, display their signs encouraging the public to stand up for their rights and to support journalism, unions, truth, due process and more. Organized by Citizens for Peace and Justice, the rally is held every Saturday. (Video by Keweenaw Now)
Patti and Cindy of Marquette also displayed their signs during the rally in front of the Post Office.
Jane Taylor and her sister, Sara Wiedenhoefer, both of Skandia, Mich., attended the rally together. Taylor displayed her signs, "Peace for Gaza and Ukraine NOW!!" and "Love Never Fails," while Wiedenhoefer collected signatures on three important petitions for ballot initiatives in Michigan: Ranked Choice Voting, Invest in MI Kids, and Michiganders for Money Out of Politics.
The Lake Superior Region Indivisible (LSRI) group sponsored a Safety Team of volunteers trained in de-escalation. Barb Coleman, coordinator of the Safety Team, told Keweenaw Now the team members are charged with keeping the demonstrations peaceful. They are present but do not participate in the rally or march.
"We tell everyone not to engage with counter protesters," Coleman said.
About 40 people participated in the rally in front of the Post Office in Marquette on Sept. 20.
At the same time, a group of about 60 people, dressed in black and carrying signs under the theme "Signs of Fascism," participated in a walking demonstration through part of downtown Marquette. This event was organized by Lake Superior Region Indivisible (LSRI) and Yoopers Unite.
On Sept. 20, 2025, concerned citizens complete a walking demonstration, "Signs of Fascism," along Washington Street in downtown Marquette, Mich. Dressed in black, some wearing masks, they display signs against fascism, ICE raids on immigrants, illegally detaining people, oppression of LBGTQ communities and more. (Video by Keweenaw Now)Judy Kitchen of Marquette, one of the organizers of this walking demonstration, said the idea for it came from Faith Veley, who saw a similar walk on social media. LSRI decided it would be a good idea for Marquette.
"Whatever we do it must be peaceful," Kitchen told Keweenaw Now. "Our Safety Team members keep the event peaceful."
Marquette on Sept. 20.
Judy Kitchen added, "Many of us participate in all three groups' activities."
Many more photos of the "Signs of Fascism" demonstration are available on the LSRI Web site.
See also Sarah Green's Citizens Rally for Accountable Government (CRAG) September 23 newsletter and the CRAG Calendar of events for the week of Sept. 24 to Sept. 30, 2025.
