NO KINGS march in Houghton: Local citizens defend democratic values on April 19 Day of Action

By Michele Bourdieu

On Shelden Avenue and the Portage Lift Bridge in Houghton, Mich., participants in the April 19 NO KINGS march display signs and flags of protest against Trump administration policies and executive orders. (Photo © and courtesy Joanne Thomas)

HOUGHTON -- More than 200 protesters marched up Shelden Avenue and onto the Portage Lift Bridge on Saturday, April 19, 2025, in solidarity with this National Day of Action in hundreds of cities in all 50 states and internationally. The nonviolent protests were initiated by the group 50501 (50 protests, 50 states, one day), opposing the Trump administration's policies and recent executive orders. The Houghton County Democratic Party (HCDP) and the grassroots group AWAVE (Advocates for those Without A Voice Everywhere) co-organized the local protest in Houghton.

On the Houghton side of the bridge, William Keith, HCDP chair, welcomed participants gathered for the march.

William Keith, chair of the Houghton County Democratic Party (HCDP), welcomes participants in what some called the "No Kings" protest march on Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Houghton, Mich., near the Portage Lift Bridge. HCDP was a co-organizer of the march. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

 

About 200 people then marched up Shelden Avenue to line the bridge with their signs and flags. Some carried historic flags to commemorate April 19 as the 250th anniversary of the battles at Lexington and Concord -- the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.

Participants in the April 19, 2025, No Kings protest in Houghton head up Shelden Avenue to the Portage Lift Bridge and display their signs and flags to oncoming traffic. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

 

The variety of messages on homemade signs was evidence of a number of issues on the minds of concerned citizens.

Participants in the April 19, 2025, No Kings protest in Houghton display their signs as they walk up to the Portage Lift Bridge. About 200 people lined the bridge in a non-violent protest against the Trump Administration's undemocratic and illegal policies. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

 

Keweenaw Now interviewed some of the participants about their reasons for joining the protest. Here are the responses of four of them: Miriam Pickens of Hancock, Joan Chadde of Traprock Valley, Brianna Sleeman of Houghton and Dan Mares of L'Anse.

During the April 19, 2025, No Kings protest on the Portage Lift Bridge in Houghton, four participants give Keweenaw Now their reasons for joining the march. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

 

Protesters on the bridge are undaunted by the chilly rain on April 19. (Photo © and courtesy Joanne Thomas)

 

Local performing artist and teacher Donna Armistead braved the damp, cold weather in a historic, 18th-century costume with only a wool shawl for warmth.

 

Donna Armistead, known in the community as a dance teacher and performer, wears an 18th-century costume and carries a Betsy Ross flag from that period of U.S. history. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

 

Armistead spoke with Keweenaw Now about the issues that concern her today.

Local performing artist and teacher Donna Armistead speaks about her "laundry list" of reasons for joining the march -- from the environment to women's rights, voting rights, firing of federal employees and more. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

 

Heather Mroz of Keweenaw Indivisible, the group that organized the April 5 "Hands Off" march in Houghton, commented on the connection between the April 19 march and the time of the American Revolution.*

 

"I  think folks were driven to march here today by the same sense of injustice that drove the Revolutionary War," Mroz told Keweenaw Now. "Then and now, folks are fighting to defend the idea that power is accountable to the people."

 

Heather Mroz of Keweenaw Indivisible chats with other participants in the April 19 No Kings march near the Lift Bridge. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

 

While some signs seen on the bridge bore a strong message of opposition to the Trump administration and its supporters ...

 

 Another sign might be seen as humorous, but meaningful:

 

This quite original sign attracted attention on the bridge. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Laurium resident Pam told Keweenaw Now how she found the idea for her sign.

 

During the April 19, 2025, No Kings march on the Portage Lift Bridge in Houghton, Pam displays the sign she made and tells why she joined the march. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

 

Pat Bacon of Hancock carried two large signs on the bridge.

 

Hancock resident Pat Bacon displays two large colorful signs on the bridge. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

 

Pat Bacon of Hancock expresses her concern for democracy and the need for Congress to take a stand. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Elizabeth Flynn of Hancock Township carried a poster donated by a local artist. It is a portrait of a Maryland resident unjustly deported to El Salvador -- Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

Elizabeth Flynn displays a "Free Kilmar" poster during the April 19 protest on the Portage Lift Bridge. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

"Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being held wrongfully in a hellish prison camp in El Salvador despite a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that he must be returned to his American wife and children," Flynn said. "The administration has no right to leave him there, and in doing so, they are creating a Constitutional crisis."

Another sign seen during the march expresses concern for immigrants, who are being treated unjustly and deported illegally by the current administration. (Photo by Keweenaw Now) 

DeeDee Bloom of Trimountain, co-founder of AWAVE (Advocates for those Without A Voice Everywhere), one of the organizers of the April 19 march in Houghton, spoke with Keweenaw Now about the origin of this group.

During the April 19 No Kings protest in Houghton, Dee Dee Bloom explains how the group AWAVE, a co-organizer of the protest, was formed to express the views of people who don't have a voice. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

AWAVE and other groups have recently held meetings at the Fifth and Elm café in Hancock. During the April 19 march, Emily Fiala, co-owner with her husband, Frank Fiala, of Fifth and Elm, told Keweenaw Now her family is glad to open the facility to groups needing a place to meet.

Emily Fiala of Hancock chats with Keweenaw Now on the bridge during the April 19 No Kings march. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Sarah Green -- who founded the email group CRAG (Citizens Rally for Accountable Government) to encourage local citizens to speak out at local government meetings (county, city, township, etc.) -- used a bucket of candy to count the number of participants in the April 19 march and came up with 202 people.

"I tried out my new 'take a candy' counting method, starting with 331 pieces, letting everyone take one, and ending with 129 pieces," Green explained. "I measured by weight, which is more accurate than the number of pieces listed on the bag (and easier). This method for crowd estimation could work anywhere that people pass through a squeeze point."

Waving her Blue Marble earth flag, Sarah Green carries a bucket of candy to count participants at the April 19 No Kings march near the Lift Bridge in Houghton. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)**

The No Kings march in Houghton was one of more than 700 protest events in cities and towns across the U.S. on April 19, 2025.

Editor's Notes:

* If you missed our article on the April 5 "Hands Off" march, organized by Keweenaw Indivisible in Houghton, CLICK HERE.

** According to Wikipedia, "During 1969, peace activist John McConnell proposed his design titled the Earth Flag. The current version of the flag consists of The Blue Marble, a photograph of Earth taken on 7 December 1972 by the crew of the Apollo 17 on its way to the Moon."

Guest article: COP 29 in Azerbaijan and international policy on climate change

By Lexi Tater*

Lexi Tater waves from under the COP 29 entryway in November of 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo © and courtesy Dr. Mark Rouleau.)

Hello! My name is Lexi Tater. This past November, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. COP stands for the Conference of Parties, which is held through the UNFCCC which is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. COPs change their location annually, and they are held in November each year. The goals of COPs are to bring appointed negotiators from nearly every country around the world to work together in creating policies and negotiations to mitigate anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change -- but also to bring scholars / professionals together to share information regarding climate change.

A good example of a productive COP would be COP 21 held in Paris, France, in 2015. COP 21 resulted in the Paris Agreement, which introduced many proposals for both major greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting and developing countries.** One of these proposals was in Article 8 of the Paris Agreement, which highlighted the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF). The LDF aims to urge major emitting GHG countries to repay developing countries for damages caused to their environment, affecting their health, wellbeing, stability, environments, air and water pollution, etc. There were many protestors at COP 29 arguing for this cause as major emitting countries have not paid their debts that they agreed upon in 2015.

COP attendees show their frustrations with the slow LDF process in protests at COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo © and courtesy Lexi Tater.)

I was able to attend many sessions that focused on climate justice and the LDF. Some of these sessions were panels hosted by organizations, some were panels hosted by country representatives, and some were hosted by international companies. Dr. Mark Rouleau, interim chair for Michigan Technological University’s Social Sciences department, was able to accompany me and show me around COP 29. He also taught my Climate and Energy Policy course which allowed me to go to COP 29.

COP 29 was Dr. Rouleau’s third COP experience since he was able to go to COP 27 in Sharm el Sheik as well as COP 28 in Dubai. He commented on the differences. 

"The biggest difference in this short span of time was the size [of the COPs]," Dr. Rouleau said. "Sharm el Sheik was a medium-sized COP -- a little bit overwhelming, but manageable. Dubai was massive and probably had too much going on. Baku was very small, very manageable, and much more approachable."

Since this was my first COP, I was surprised that Dr. Rouleau thought that this was more manageable. I thought there was so much going on at all times!

The Ocean Pavillion hosts a panel at COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November of 2024. (Photo © and courtesy Lexi Tater.)

The biggest, and arguably the most important, part of COPs are the negotiations held between countries. I like to explain these large-scale negotiations as "group essays" being worked on by representatives from nearly every country around the world. These negotiations focus on amending and creating agreements for countries to commit to mitigating the use of greenhouse gases or other environmentally unsafe and unsustainable practices.

Appointed negotiators from around the world are pictured above at COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo © and courtesy Lexi Tater.)

Azerbaijan borders Russia and the Caspian Sea. The city at large was vibrant and fun. I learned so much about their culture and heritage. I had the wonderful opportunity to tour the old city of Baku, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

This photo was taken in the Old City of Baku, Azerbaijan, overlooking the flame towers. (Photo © and courtesy Lexi Tater.)

Jess Czarnecki, a Ph.D. candidate in the Forest Science program at Michigan Technological University whom I was able to meet in Baku, said she attended COP 29 thanks to the Climate Leaders Academy (CLA), a National Science Foundation program funded in partnership with Vanderbilt University, Michigan Technological University and Boston University. 12 graduate students from across the country who applied to the program were accepted to go to COP 29.

"We also had faculty from Tennessee State University advising students on their climate class projects," Czarnecki said. "We participated in a course on climate policy in the fall of 2024, and then we participated in a research project with Oak Ridge National Lab by comparing carbon credits to data on carbon storage in the southeast United States." 

Climate Leaders Academy fellow Jess Czarnecki gives a presentation at a panel during COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo courtesy Jess Czarnecki.)

"This was my first COP," Czarnecki added. "I was able to present the research with the other CLA students. We learned a lot about policy. To me, the importance of the IPCC’s (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s) journals, which influence policies to be created at COPs, was a key takeaway. I learned that research published in other journals is important, but publishing within the IPCC helps to influence intergovernmental policy change worldwide. One of the things that is crucial within academia is that we need to make research more palatable to a wider audience to make it better understood and accessible."

Overall, this adventure was incredible, and I learned so much. COP is an extremely important event for climate activists and negotiators alike to learn from one another about how to advocate for international policy change. I was able to meet a French negotiator on the plane back home and learned more about the LDF from a French perspective. It was incredible to meet her and others and to connect with them on LinkedIn.

COP is also extremely important as there are opportunities to listen to and better understand what developing countries are currently facing in the face of rapid climate change. I met such incredible people at COP, and I learned more about how I can use my knowledge and voice to advocate for environmental policy change.

* Editor's Note: Guest author Lexi Tater is a graduate student in Sustainable Communities at Michigan Technological University. Lexi will also be pursuing a Ph.D. in Environmental and Energy Policy at Michigan Tech this upcoming fall 2025 semester. We are pleased to publish this article on this Earth Day 2025 to remind our readers of the importance of international cooperation and communication on mitigating climate change.

Six tribes end cooperation with US Army Corps over "Energy Emergency" Line 5 tunnel fast-tracking

This map shows the location of the existing Line 5 dual pipelines -- dotted lines to the west (at left) of the Mackinac Bridge (at right, in red) between St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, Michigan. Enbridge hopes to replace the 71-year-old Line 5 with a pipeline inside a tunnel under the lakebed of the Straits. (Keweenaw Now file image courtesy US Army Corps of Engineers) 

From Native American Rights Fund and Earth Justice*:

[On April 16, 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced it will not perform a full review of the Line 5 tunnel projects under the pretext of a made up "energy emergency." The proposed tunnel would pass through the Straits of Mackinac, a sacred place shared by treaty with the Bay Mills Indian Community. USACE shortened and moved review timelines for environmental impacts, endangered species, treaty rights, and cultural resources. These measures cut out Tribal Nations, the public, and state regulators from providing meaningful input -- and they make the review wildly inconsistent with federal law. In March, Bay Mills and other Tribal Nations cited the many gaps and flaws in USACE’s environmental review process prior to ending their consulting partner status in protest.]

DETROIT --  Six Michigan Tribes withdrew from Line 5 federal discussions after learning that the US Army Corps of Engineers will likely fast-track its approval for Enbridge’s massive oil tunnel project, in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order declaring an "energy emergency." In a letter sent to the US Army Corps on March 21, 2025, the Tribes called the Corps’ actions "unacceptable."

"We participated in the process, we followed the rules, we provided the case law, we submitted the evidence, and we trusted that our voices and our treaty rights would be respected. Yet, once again, the federal government has cast us aside and failed us," said Bay Mills Indian Community President Whitney Gravelle. "Instead of protecting our waters, lands, and sacred sites, the government is forcing this dangerous project forward, ignoring the harm it will bring to the Tribal Nations and the people of Michigan. We will not stand by while our sovereignty is disregarded for the sake of foreign profits. Michigan’s leaders must act now to defend our shared waters before it’s too late."

Whitney Gravelle, president of the Bay Mills Indian Community, is pictured here before the Pipe Out Paddle Up Floatilla Against the Line 5 pipeline in Mackinaw City, Michigan, on Saturday, September 3, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Rice for Earthjustice. Reprinted with permission.) 

The Bay Mills Indian Community, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi, and Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi had been engaging with the Corps’ review of the Line 5 tunnel project as "cooperating agencies" under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Under the Biden administration, the Corps was preparing a draft Environmental Impact Statement after receiving over 17,000 public comments on the tunnel project. An internal memo circulated in January by Former Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) Jaime Pinkham directed the agency to assess the risk of oil spills from approving the tunnel project, and to consider other alternatives in its review. Now, the Corps is likely to apply emergency treatment and issue a permit for the tunnel project, without completing reviews of oil spills and other environmental impacts, alternatives, and effects on cultural resources.

"It appears the U.S. Army Corps plans to short-circuit the environmental and historic properties review by announcing they intend to use the guise of an American 'energy emergency' to fast-track the legally required public comment and Tribal consultation processes, greenlighting a Canadian corporation’s project that will desecrate a sacred place and threaten Great Lakes residents’ drinking water," said Senior Staff Attorney David L. Gover with the Native American Rights Fund, which represents the Tribes.

Experts have warned that the tunnel project design, which has never been tried before anywhere else in the world, could lead to an explosion under the Straits. Along with federal approval, Enbridge still needs a permit from Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to begin construction. A public comment period is expected as part of that permitting process.**

"Resuscitating an old pipeline that carries most of its oil and gas back to Canada won’t do a thing for the US energy supply," said Earthjustice Managing Attorney Debbie Chizewer, who is representing Bay Mills. "But it might lead to the next big oil disaster. Only this time, it will happen in the middle of the largest freshwater drinking supply in North America. We can’t allow that to happen."

Read the letter: https://narf.org/nill/documents/20250321-line5-eis-withdrawal-letter.pdf

Impacts to Bay Mills Indian Community: https://narf.org/cases/enbridges-line-5-pipeline/

* About the Native American Rights Fund (NARF):

NARF is a non-profit 501c(3) organization focused on applying existing laws and treaties to guarantee that federal and state governments live up to their legal obligations to Native Americans. Since 1970, the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) has provided specialized legal assistance to Indian tribes, organizations, and individuals nationwide to assert and defend the most important Native rights. In hundreds of major cases. NARF has achieved significant results in critical areas such as tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, natural resource protection, voting rights, and Indian education. Like us on Facebook and follow us on LinkedIn to learn about the latest fights to promote justice and protect Native American rights.

* About Earthjustice:

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change.

** Editor's Note: CLICK HERE to take action through Oil and Water Don't Mix to demand that EGLE deny the Line 5 tunnel permit.

AG Nessel supports challenge to Trump Administration’s unconstitutional "Ideological Deportation Policy" targeting noncitizen students, faculty

LANSING -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief (PDF) in American Association of University Professors, et al., v. Marco Rubio, et al. in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts, supporting a challenge to the Trump Administration’s "Ideological Deportation Policy," which targets and punishes noncitizens with lawful status, especially college students and faculty who express political beliefs with which the Administration disagrees. (Inset photo: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Photo courtesy michigan.gov)

In filing the amicus brief, the coalition urges the court to block the Administration’s policy, arguing that it violates the First Amendment and irreparably harms colleges and universities, public health and safety, and freedom of religious worship.

"This is yet another disturbing and unconstitutional example of the Trump Administration targeting people simply for expressing opposing political views," Nessel said. "Stripping students and faculty of their lawful immigration status for exercising their First Amendment rights undermines free speech, threatens Michigan’s 15 public universities, and endangers the open exchange of ideas that is essential to our democracy."

The Administration’s "Ideological Deportation Policy" is based on two Executive Orders (14161 and 14188). These orders direct federal agencies to vet foreign nationals seeking to enter the U.S. based on ideological grounds rather than on direct safety threats. These orders further direct federal agencies to investigate, detain, and deport noncitizen students and faculty who engage in political speech with which the Administration disagrees.

The Administration has revoked more than 700 visas of noncitizen students, visitors, and residents, including many revocations based on protected expression. The removal of lawful immigration status leaves such individuals vulnerable to arrest, detention, and deportation, including students from at least 10 public universities throughout Michigan.

In their brief, the coalition argues that the policy inflicts harm to educational institutions, where free expression of political speech must be protected to allow students to learn from and engage with diverse viewpoints. Due to the breadth and ambiguity of what speech the Administration deems prohibited, the coalition argues the policy will lead noncitizen residents to limit and censor their political and religious expression, research, and academic conclusions.

As noncitizen residents contribute substantially to the economic, cultural, and intellectual vitality of the coalition states, the coalition urges the court to block the policy, especially due to the policy’s irreparable harm to the states and public interest.

Joining Attorney General Nessel in filing this amicus brief were the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

"Hands Off!" event in Houghton attracts nearly 500 participants protesting current US Administration

By Michele Bourdieu

Displaying many signs and flags, nearly 500 protesters line both sides of the Portage Lift Bridge from Houghton to Hancock, MI, for the April 5, 2025, "Hands Off!" demonstration against the policies of the Trump-Musk Administration. (Photo © John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

HOUGHTON -- "This is what Democracy Looks Like" was one of the energetic chants that kicked off the April 5 "Hands Off!" protest in Houghton's Bridgeview Park as participants waited to hear from inspiring, energetic guest speakers and to march across the Portage Lift Bridge with signs expressing their opposition to the present policies of the Trump-Musk Administration.

On Saturday, April 5, 2025, a large crowd gathers at Bridgeview Park in Houghton, Michigan, to hear speakers as the "Hands Off!" protest, organized by Keweenaw Indivisible, begins. Alex Radke of the Keweenaw Indivisible leadership team leads chants to warm up the crowd. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

The local protest, organized by Keweenaw Indivisible, was one of more than 1,300 events held that day in 50 states and Washington, DC.

Local resident Elizabeth Flynn, professor emerita in Humanities at Michigan Tech University, said this Copper Country protest was the largest march she's ever seen here.

"There were people on both sides of the bridge," Flynn noted. "Inspiring speakers. Hands off! Great job, Indivisible."

Displaying a great variety of signs, protesters listen to guest speakers in Bridgeview Park near the Portage Lift Bridge, seen in the background. (Photo © and courtesy Elizabeth Flynn) 

Flynn also commented on the noisy Trump supporters who drove by the protesters several times.

"About 12 cars with Trump flags tried to disrupt, but they had little effect," she said. "Some honked horns, which seemed like support for the marchers."

The first speaker, Rich Canevez, Michigan Tech assistant professor of Communication, Culture, and Media in the Humanities Department and one of the seven members of the Keweenaw Indivisible leadership team, spoke about growing up in Houghton as an American in a Filipino immigrant family and finding friends who became a second family for him.

Rich Canevez, American son of Filipino immigrants, speaks about his experience with racism and the friends who stood by him like a family. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Canevez continued, noting the importance of family and unity.

Rich Canevez speaks to the crowd of participants about resisting Trump and Musk together like a family. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

The next speaker -- Sarah Semmler Smith, pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Campus Ministry at Michigan Tech -- described growing up in a German American family that did not want to identify as German because of the history of World War II. She draws a parallel with what is happening in America under the present Administration.

Sarah Semmler Smith, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Campus Ministry at Michigan Tech University, tells participants in the "Hands Off!" protest why the policies of this Administration go against the Constitution and religious freedom, as well as the teachings of Jesus. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Frank Fiala of Hancock introduced himself to the protesters as a "proud retired federal employee of the National Park Service" as well as a proud veteran, noting he has sworn allegiance to the Constitution on several occasions. As a second-generation American, Fiala noted the sacrifice and hard work of his immigrant grandparents, that made his own life possible. He described the treatment of federal employees and agencies by the present Administration as defying the rule of law.

Frank Fiala, longtime federal employee with the National Park Service, addresses the crowd of protesters concerning the illegal and immoral actions of the present US Administration. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Displaying her "Hands Off!" poster, Nadija Packauskas, co-founder of Yoopers for Ukraine and also a member of the Keweenaw Indivisible leadership team, spoke especially about children and why we should stand for our children, our humanity and our allies, including Ukraine, where so many children have died.

Nadija Packauskas, co-founder of Yoopers for Ukraine, speaks with passion about our humanity and our need to speak for our children. "Trump and Musk, hands off our humanity!" she says. Noting the importance of standing for Ukraine and our other allies, Nadija reads the names of nine children who were killed recently when Russia bombed a children's playground. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Introducing herself as a member of the world of sports, Mariah Durham, Michigan Tech women's basketball coach and a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, rallied the crowd as she would her team, stressing the need for teamwork and unity in resisting the Trump-Musk attacks on education.

Mentioning her Anishinaabe ancestors who were murdered here for this land, Mariah Durham gives an energetic speech about teamwork and the right to education to the crowd of protesters at Bridgeview Park in Houghton. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Later, Durham spoke with Keweenaw Now about her reason for giving the speech.

"I'm an educator here speaking out and speaking among other educators -- that what is going on in today's world is just not acceptable, not acceptable for the kids that I teach at our school and not acceptable anywhere," Durham said. "I think that we all need to stand up -- we all need to stand together and be one as a team."

Following the inspiring speeches, the protesters marched on Shelden Avenue to the Lift Bridge, where they crossed to Hancock and back, filling the sidewalks on both sides of the bridge.

Displaying signs, posters and flags, participants in the April 5, 2025, "Hands Off!" protest head for the Lift Bridge, for their march to Hancock and back. (Video by Keweenaw Now) 

According to Rick Canevez of the Keweenaw Indivisible leadership team, two to four volunteers joined the leadership team the day before the protest to clear the ice from the steps up to the bridge on the west side in order to make it safe for the marchers.

"We only had to clear the west side of the bridge, but it was covered in ice so it took a fair amount of labor on Friday afternoon," Canevas said. "We could have used an extra pickaxe or two!"

"Hands Off!" participants line both sides of the Portage Lift Bridge from Houghton to Hancock, MI, displaying their signs and flags to oncoming traffic. (Video © John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

On the Houghton side of the bridge, a drone could be seen flying near the bridge, possibly counting the numbers of protesters. The drone was not associated with Keweenaw Indivisible. As of this publication time the exact count was not available, though estimates were around 500.

On the Portage Lift Bridge, a drone is seen at upper left of this video, possibly counting the large crowd of participants, estimated at nearly 500. The drone is not associated with Keweenaw Indivisible. (Video © John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

At the Houghton end of the bridge, Barry Elizabeth Fink, co-president of the Copper Country League of Women Voters, spoke with Keweenaw Now about the importance of voting. The League partnered with Keweenaw Indivisible in promoting the event.

Barry Elizabeth Fink, co-president of the League of Women Voters of the Copper Country, tells Keweenaw Now why voting is so important at this time. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Displaying her creative sign to oncoming traffic at the Houghton end of the Lift Bridge, Ashlee Sorensen of Eagle River, MI, spoke with Keweenaw Now on why she was attending the protest.

"I'm out here today because if I wasn't I was gonna scream," she said. "Myself and my neighbors have already lost access to certain things, and with more on the horizon that we could possibly lose it just is not right. So the only thing I can do is get out and let people know it's not right and I've been calling our representatives and let them know that it's not  right. Yeah, that's why I'm here."

During the protest, Harriet King, local artist, displays her sign near the Portage Lift Bridge in Houghton. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Toward the end of the protest, Valorie Troesch of Torch Lake Township spoke with Keweenaw Now about the importance of speaking out.

Valorie Troesch pauses to tell Keweenaw Now why she participated in the protest. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

"I'm here because if we don't show up we're in a lot of trouble," Troesch said. "The cavalry isn't coming to save us. We are the cavalry so we've gotta show up. We've gotta make our voices loud and clear. We have to make it known that we do not support what's going on. If we don't say so, if we just acquiesce, if we obey in advance, we're screwed!"

Longtime Chassell resident Becky Darling confirmed Troesch's view of the importance of showing up.

"I was there, and we were there to be heard. It was such a turnout, and we need to keep it going!" Darling told Keweenaw Now. "I follow Keweenaw Indivisible. They organized a great march. I was so encouraged by the ages represented. Generations Unite!"

Emily Schram, co-founder and administrator of the Facebook group, Keweenaw Forward, commented, "Fantastic to see so many good people show up to say Hands Off! Hats off to Keweenaw Indivisible and other amazing organizations and individuals who've been pouring into these efforts. Thank you friends." 

Near the Portage Lift Bridge, Emily Schram, co-founder and administrator of Keweenaw Forward, a progressive Facebook group, displays her sign with a message. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Houghton resident Linda Belote, former Peace Corps Volunteer and distinguished anthropologist and professor emerita, is pictured here during the protest on the Lift Bridge with her telling sign. (Photo © and courtesy Emily Schram)

According to Heather Mroz, a member of the Keweenaw Indivisible leadership team, Keweenaw Indivisible, organizer of this protest, now numbers about 100 members, including the leadership team of seven.

"Our entire membership helped plan the event," Mroz said. "Right now people can join by going to the Keweenaw Indivisible Facebook page and clicking on join and filling out the form."*

Members receive a newsletter and notices of the group's meetings.

Members of the leadership team, who founded Keweenaw Indivisible, are Rich Canevez, Bill Fink, Heather Mroz, Nadija Packauskas, Alex Radke, Amanda Schwass, and Tiff.

* Editor's Note:  Click here to access Keweenaw Indivisible and then click on Sign Up if you wish to read their Mission statement and apply for membership.

Guest article: Keweenaw Against the Oligarchy protest draws large, diverse participation

By Lexi Tater

About 150 Keweenaw residents and Michigan Technological University students, faculty and staff gather for a moment of silence near the Portage Lift Bridge in Houghton with their fists raised in solidarity during the March 29 Keweenaw Against The Oligarchy (KATO) protest. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photos courtesy a KATO member)

Hello! My name is Lexi Tater. I am the founder and co-organizer of Keweenaw Against the Oligarchy (KATO). I am a Master’s candidate in the discipline of Sustainable Communities at Michigan Technological University, and will be pursuing a Ph.D. in Environmental and Energy Policy this upcoming fall 2025 semester.

KATO is a newly formed community organization of concerned citizens who gathered on March 29, 2025, for a peaceful and silent protest. KATO was supported by Michigan United Action and their Northern Michigan Organizer, Audrey Gerard. The goals of this protest were to bring together like-minded community members looking for a political home, a channel to put their energy and feelings about the current U.S. administration into action, and a place where all voices can be heard.

Co-organizers Audrey Gerard, right, and Lexi Tater, author of this article, lead the protest on March 29, 2025, in Houghton.

Audrey Gerard, the local Michigan United Action organizer, noted, "We are here to stand up for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other things the people in our community rely on. We do not want billionaires to take them away from us. Personally, I am upset about the federal layoffs. I have had multiple friends let go within this past month. We are inviting anybody who wants to share how these administrative cuts are impacting their lives to talk with us at KATO."

Around 150 people attended the protest in support of KATO’s goals and efforts. Those who were able to attend the protest were faculty, staff, and students of Michigan Technological University, along with Keweenaw and Upper Peninsula residents.

The protest began with a speech, followed by a moment of silence for the people who wanted to be at the protest but who were unable to attend due to threats to their sovereignty, citizenship, and autonomy as queer, transgender, Indigenous, immigrant and student visa peoples. 

Preceding the moment of silence, co-organizer Lexi Tater addresses participants in the March 29 KATO protest near the Portage Lift Bridge in Houghton.

The moment of silence, a highlight of the protest event, lasted for about 5 minutes. Protestors lined the highway with their signs, flags, etc., with their fists up in solidarity for those who were unable to be there.

A third-year undergraduate student at Michigan Technological University, Annabelle Craves, studying Environmental Science and Sustainability, called the protest "a powerful reminder of the strength that we carry when we stand together." Noting "Lexi’s unwavering passion," Craves added, "I felt very empowered and deeply moved, knowing we were fighting for those who can’t due to threats to their citizenship." 

Emilie Scholie, a lifelong Keweenaw resident and third-year Environmental Science and Sustainability student at Michigan Technological University, shared her reaction to being able to participate in the protest.

"As a local, the KATO protest was the first time that I have been able to be a part of an organized event that was so largely filled with such love and support," Scholie said. "I was so happy to see multiple generations of people standing together for the same reason. It was empowering to display my support for the people who need it in this rural community which I hold close to my heart." 

During the moment of silence, Annabelle Craves and Emilie Scholie stand with their signs advocating for diversity.

After the moment of silence, the 150 protestors walked across the Portage Lift Bridge to Hancock and back.

During the March 29, 2025, protest, Keweenaw Against the Oligarchy (KATO), about 150 participants return from Hancock, MI, to Houghton crossing the Portage Lift Bridge. (Video courtesy a KATO member)

Joseph Anderson, a first year Management Information Systems student at Michigan Technological University, admitted arriving late to the protest when participants were already halfway across the bridge but shared his surprise at the size of the group.

"It wasn't until I turned back to look that I saw how many people share similar ideas to mine. It’s really inspiring to see the Houghton / Hancock communities stand up for something that they believe in like this," Joseph said. "I voted for Trump and realized how much I screwed up. That’s why I’m grateful that Lexi and Audrey are creating a space for people who are trying to find their community!"

Another major goal of KATO is to protect U.S. constitutional rights and free speech.

Noting the protest made him hopeful of making a difference, Benjamin Wittrup, an Electrical Engineering Master’s candidate at Michigan Technological University, said, "It was super awesome to see so many people come out and take part in the protest. I hope to see even more people come out for future events to support our Constitution and the rule of law."

Alyssa LeTourneau, a third year Forestry student at Michigan Technological University, who was also a safety marshall for the protest, wants to empower others to stand up safely for what they believe in. She wants people to know about "administrative threats to the planet and to people’s constitutional rights."

LeTourneau added, "I personally struggle to use my voice in situations when I am fearful of potential conflict that could arise, but this is not a time to be politically silent. This protest allowed me to stand strong in what I know is right."

Blair Anderson, a retired master sergeant combat veteran and a lifelong Upper Peninsula resident who traveled from Crystal Falls to be at the protest, said he "grew up conservative and eventually found out that things weren't exactly how [he] was told." He also found that "there is an immense amount of disinformation in the Republican Party."

Blair said, "We now face existential threats and a constitutional crisis. I am doing my best to support all of the groups that are pro-constitution and pro-rule-of-law."

As a queer woman myself, it is extremely empowering to be surrounded by the courage of others who have chosen to stand firmly in what they believe in. It is inspiring to be gathered with people who are standing up to threats to their own careers, bodies, rights, identities, etc.

KATO is a community organization that is open to all people who disagree with the current federal administrative regime, regardless of their political affiliations. Our goal as a community organization is to make everyone feel welcomed and empowered to use their voices in a safe and constructive way. We will be fighting to end the oligarchy through social and environmental campaigning; and we need your support, voices, and passions to be a part of our fight! If you would like to learn more about KATO, or would like to be involved in the future, please contact me, Lexi Tater, at abtater@mtu.edu or our partnering organization, Michigan United Action, through Audrey Gerard at agerard@miunited.org.

Guest article: To Rep. Bergman: Trump defies court order, threatens democracy

[Editor's Note: The following is a transcript of the comments spoken by Valorie Troesch during the March 18 Bergman(less) Town Hall held in Houghton, Michigan, despite the absence of 1st Congressional District Rep. Jack Bergman. This is printed here with permission.*]

Mr. Bergman,

My name is Valorie Troesch and I live in Dollar Bay.

I originally planned to speak about Social Security. And, although that is of great importance to me, there is a far greater threat to our democracy that is playing out as I speak. For weeks, Donald Trump and Elon Musk have taken actions to dismantle our federal government. They have claimed the power to overturn laws and budgets passed by Congress. They have fired thousands of federal workers. They have shuttered agencies. Courageous attorneys have filed close to 100 lawsuits in federal court to temporarily or permanently enjoin these actions with near 100 percent success. The question that has loomed over these past weeks, however, is whether or not the Trump administration would obey court orders. Until last week, the DOJ took a variety of actions to skirt or delay compliance -- appeals, coming to court unprepared to get more time, claiming ignorance, etc. But we had so far avoided the constitutional crisis that would be posed by the President refusing outright to obey court orders.

All that changed over this past weekend. The President invoked the Alien Enemies Act and then detained and deported hundreds of alleged Venezuelan gang members to a concentration camp in El Salvador. Sometime during that process, a federal judge issued a TRO (Temporary Restraining Order) to stop the deportations and ordered the return of the planes to the United States. In defiance of the court order, Trump made a decision for the planes to keep going.

The administration is portraying those who oppose the deportation of people without due process and in violation of court orders as support for illegal immigrants. Mr. Bergman, this is not an immigration issue. This is a question about whether the United States is a nation governed by laws or by an autocrat. Those who have spoken throughout our history about the fragility of democracy understood that democracy is entirely dependent on the willingness of the governed and the governing to abide by the rule of law. When that stops, democracy is in crisis. That is where we are today.

Donald Trump is claiming that he has the right to defy court orders. The courts right now are our only guardrail against his tyranny. If the President of the United States does not have to obey court orders, then the entire rule of law becomes meaningless. Think about the implications. Why should anyone anywhere ever obey a court order again that they don’t like? Why should someone pay court-ordered child support, for example? Where does it end? And, if courts cannot enforce orders holding violators in contempt, then what is to prevent our complete descent into anarchy? This is where we are headed.

Mr. Bergman, it is up to you, as a member of Congress and the President’s own party, to speak up and tell him to obey the law.

* Editor's Note: Valorie Troesch is a retired attorney and resident of Torch Lake Township, Michigan. To hear the residents' comments (addressed to Rep. Bergman in his absence) at the March 18, 2025, Bergman(less) Town Hall in Houghton, see the video recording on YouTube. (Inset photo: Valorie Troesch. Photo courtesy Valorie Troesch.)

World's largest Ukrainian flag displayed near White House during "Don't Abandon Ukraine" event

By Michele Bourdieu

On March 8, 2025, participants in the "Don't Abandon Ukraine" rally display the world's largest Ukrainian flag in President's Park South, not far from the White House in Washington, D.C. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photos by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now unless otherwise indicated.)

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A very large crowd showed their support for Ukraine by unfurling and holding above the ground the world's largest Ukrainian flag in view of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, March 8.

Organizers and sponsors of the event, "Don't Abandon Ukraine," from several Ukrainian and Ukrainian-American organizations led the participants in chants for Ukraine and directed volunteers to form two very long lines for holding, unfurling and returning the flag, which, out of respect, was not allowed to touch the ground.

As the March 8, 2025, "Don't Abandon Ukraine" rally begins, organizers lead participants in chanting, "Stand with Ukraine," "Make Russia Pay," and "Don't Abandon Ukraine." (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Many participants carried signs and flags and some wore their messages on their clothing.

A group of Ukraine supporters display their signs. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

This gentleman's jacket says it all. 

As volunteers were lining up to hold the flag, Keweenaw Now interviewed two participants from Ukraine now living in the United States -- Natalia, who came from Philadelphia for the event, even though it was her mother's birthday, and Danylo, of Lviv in Ukraine, who is stationed in Washington, D.C., for his work with the Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Natalia, who traveled from Philadelphia for the "Don't Abandon Ukraine" rally, displays her sign. 

Natalia, who is originally from Ukraine, tells Keweenaw Now why it was important for her to attend the "Don't Abandon Ukraine" rally even though she would be missing her Mom's birthday celebration in Philadelphia. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Danylo, of Lviv in Ukraine, said he has been working in Washington, DC, for St. Gabriel's Institute for Communication and Diplomacy to create awareness of the situation of the Ukrainian Catholic Church under the Russian aggression.

Danylo points out the importance of communication and diplomacy between Ukrainian Christians and those in other countries, including the U.S. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Volunteers lined up facing one another in two very long lines to prepare for passing the flag and holding it.

Nearly 200 volunteers form two lines in order to pass the rolled flag along in preparation for unfurling it. Led by Lev of Razom for Ukraine, they chant, "Slava Ukraini! Heroiam Slava!" (Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!) (Video by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

As participants were lining up, media representatives were interviewing people in the crowd. One of these, Andriy Borys of Voice of America, interviewed a former MAGA Trump supporter who had changed his mind.

Among the Ukraine supporters at the "Don't Abandon Ukraine" rally is a former MAGA supporter, who has changed his position. He is being interviewed by Andriy Borys of Voice of America, who gave Keweenaw Now permission to publish this interview. (Video by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

Volunteers in two lines begin passing the giant rolled Ukrainian flag down the line in preparation for its unfurling. (Video by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

Those holding the flag must wait until it has passed completely around the crowd and is ready for the unrolling. Leaders asked others in the crowd to relieve some of the volunteers in holding the flag tightly. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Finally, following the 1, 2, 3 count of the leader, those holding the flag take 3 steps back together to unroll it as the crowd chants, "Stand with Ukraine!" (Video by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

Participants hold and display the world's largest Ukrainian flag and keep it from touching the ground (out of respect). (Video by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

Under the flag these three young supporters pause for a photo as evidence the giant flag is held well above the ground. 

While displaying the world's largest Ukrainian flag, participants in the "Don't Abandon Ukraine" rally chant against Russia's aggression and illegal occupation of Ukrainian territory. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Chanting "Bring Ukrainian children home," the crowd refers to Russia's war crimes against thousands of Ukrainian children in the past three years of war.

The crowd chants for the Ukrainian children who were forcefully taken from their families to be raised in Russia.(Video by Keweenaw Now) 

As the world's largest Ukrainian flag is displayed by a large crowd of Ukraine supporters, participants chant, "A Just Peace for Ukraine." (Video by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

Finally the flag must be rolled up to be displayed in another city somewhere in the world.

Following the display of the world's largest Ukrainian flag in view of the White House, participants roll the flag up for its return. (Video by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

Participants hold the giant rolled flag as it is returned to its container. (Video by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

The flag is neatly folded in its container as the crowd begins to disperse. 

After participating in holding the giant flag, Orysia from New Jersey and her daughter, Sofia, who lives in New York City, displayed their signs and agreed to a brief interview.

Orysia, left, and her daughter, Sofia, display their signs for Ukraine.

Mother and daughter, Orysia and Sofia, originally from Ukraine and now living in New Jersey and New York City, tell Keweenaw Now why they participated in the "Don't Abandon Ukraine" event in Washington, DC. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

This banner repeats Orysia's message to Americans.

This flag gives a historical perspective with its message. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

This supporter arrived early for the rally and stayed to the end, displaying his flag with a tribute to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

One quiet, patient participant at the March 8, 2025, "Don't Abandon Ukraine" flag event, Whiskey the dog, was still wagging her tail happily as the crowd began to disperse following the return of the flag.

Wearing her own Ukrainian flag, Whiskey retained a positive attitude throughout the afternoon rally, reminding us to be hopeful.*

Several Ukrainian and Ukrainian-American organizations helped with organizing and sponsoring this event, including Razom for Ukraine, United Help Ukraine, Nova Ukraine, American Coalition for Ukraine, US Ukrainian Activists, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, and the Ukrainian-American Coordinating Council.

* Editor's Note: Three days after the "Don't Abandon Ukraine" rally described here, on March 11, the US and Ukraine proposed a 30-day ceasefire. As of the time of posting the above article today, according to BBC News, "Russian President Vladimir Putin said he agreed with the idea of a ceasefire in Ukraine, but that 'questions' remained about the nature of a truce as he set out a number of tough conditions."  

See BBC News, March 13, 2025: "Putin sets out conditions for Ukraine ceasefire."

See also BBC News, March 12, 2025: "Decoding the Ukraine ceasefire plan line by line."