HOUGHTON -- Undaunted by the cold weather on Saturday, March 28, 2026, a crowd of 625 people participated in the NO KINGS 3 rally and march in Houghton. Following a rally at the Houghton Pier on the waterfront, two groups peacefully headed to the Portage Lift Bridge and walked on both sides of the bridge, displaying their signs to passing traffic. The event was organized by Keweenaw Indivisible (KI), a local group, whose many volunteers served as guides and peacekeepers.
"We were really encouraged by the turnout. Even with spring break, a lot of people out of town, and the colder weather, seeing that many people show up just shows how much this matters to our community," said Heather Mroz of the Keweenaw Indivisible leadership team. "Adding a march through downtown definitely meant a lot more planning than what we’ve done before, but we had a really strong team of KI members working through all the details. We brought in a large number of volunteers to marshal this time, and people really followed the plan. They took safety seriously, both for marchers and for pedestrian and traffic access, and kept things moving."
The rally began with an energetic speech by Rich Canevez of the KI leadership team, who reminded the crowd of the importance of speaking out and letting our representatives and political candidates know our views on current threats to democracy and human rights in this country.
Rich Canevez of the Keweenaw Indivisible leadership team kicks off the NO KINGS 3 rally and march with a heartfelt talk on why people are gathered for a third nationwide No Kings event in Houghton, Michigan, on March 28, 2026. Click on YouTube for larger view of video. (Video by Keweenaw Now)Canevez continued, citing the meaning of "NO KINGS" and urging participants to speak out as a community.
Rich Canevez of the Keweenaw Indivisible leadership team continues his rallying speech to participants in the March 28, 2028, No Kings 3 event in Houghton. (Video by Keweenaw Now)Following the rally, the crowd divided into two groups and walked through downtown to the Portage Lift Bridge, peacefully lining both sides of the bridge and displaying many signs and flags to oncoming traffic.
This group of NO KINGS 3 participants walk up to Shelden Avenue in downtown Houghton to proceed to the east side of the bridge. Friendly neighbors assist Peter and Carol Ekstrom with her wheel chair. (Video by Keweenaw Now)
Among the marchers on the east side of the bridge were Jeff and Crystal Baker of Chassell, who told Keweenaw Now they were participating in NO KINGS 3 for a long list of reasons, including the fact that they have grandchildren in ROTC and nephews in the armed services.
"I would rather it be peacetime service than wartime service for everyone's children," Crystal said.
A second group of marchers walked along the west side of the Portage Lift Bridge:
Many participants display signs as they walk up the west side of the Portage Lift Bridge during NO KINGS 3 in Houghton, Michigan. (Video © John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)Toward the end of the march, some people still displayed their signs on the corner of Shelden Avenue and the Houghton end of the bridge. One of these was Barry Fink, former president of the League of Women Voters (LWV) Copper Country Chapter and now LWV Director/Gogebic Range Unit Advisor, who told Keweenaw Now why she was present at NO KINGS 3.
"I am here, along with other members of the League of Women Voters at rallies across the country, to participate in the NO KINGS March to stand in solidarity with partner organizations and stand up against hate and authoritarianism," Barry Fink said. "The League has consistently and boldly spoken up in the face of rising authoritarianism. This event is an opportunity to put words into action and show up in defense of democracy and the constitution."*
Liz Halkola of Pelkie displayed an artistic sign borrowed from Kelly Ilitalo, her former pastor of the Mission United Lutheran Church in Pelkie, Michigan.
Near the Lift Bridge, Liz Halkola of Pelkie displays a sign she borrowed from her former pastor, Kelly Ylitalo, who made the sign for a previous march and is moving to Wisconsin soon. She thanks Pastor Kelly for the sign and her work at the Mission United Lutheran church in Pelkie. (Video by Keweenaw Now)
Another local pastor, the Rev. Bucky Beach, now serving as pastor at the Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (KUUF), volunteered as a marshal and could be seen at various locations during the march.
Hancock resident Alan Salmi, who has participated in several local marches, was also present on the bridge during NO KINGS 3.
Following the march, Alan Salmi shared his thoughts about NO KINGS 3 with Keweenaw Now.
"Eight to nine million people don’t show up in the streets because nothing is wrong," Salmi noted. "They show up because Trump’s own counterterrorism chief resigned rather than support an unnecessary war, because our tax dollars are funding bombs instead of our communities, and because the curtain is finally coming down -- on Iran, on Epstein, on all of it."
A family familiar with marching on the Lift Bridge, even in very cold weather, because of their constant support of the Yoopers for Ukraine walks over the past four years, John Loosemore and his children, displayed their signs for Houghton's NO KINGS 3.
Miguel Levy of Houghton, executive of the Michigan branch of the American Communist Party, handed out flyers stating their position against illegal wars of aggression. The flyer states, "No soldier should die for empire or the profits of the elite. We demand that not a single American should die for Israel!"
Jean Ellis of Eagle Harbor traveled the distance to Houghton for NO KINGS 3 and told Keweenaw Now she believed the event was a great success.
"Thank you so much to the organizers and to all those who stood in the cold breeze on the Bridge for close to an hour," Ellis said. "Gratitude goes locally to everyone who stood on the Portage Lake Bridge in cold and windy conditions and peacefully demonstrated. Toes and fingers may have frozen but we persisted. Encouragement from passers-by helped too. Each person who braves the cold is important and it's wonderful to see more and more turn out.
"All that said, the goal is to not have to protest because the Constitution has been upheld and the country has returned to its principles and laws. May we see that soon!"
Ellis also commented on the reports about NO KINGS 3 beyond Houghton:
"Minnesota definitely stood out and showed how citizens stand together. Thank you, Minnesotans, for your courage and fortitude.
"Nationally, conditions varied across the USA but recent reports say that up to 9,000,000 people carried signs, sang, and stood up. Pictures of crowds that filled streets for blocks and blocks show that this nation is populated by people who care about democracy, morality, ethics, and humanity. Demonstrators from nations like France, Germany, Greece, Italy, and Portugal help us all to know that this is a world problem and we can hope for support and friendship when we reach a solution. And through it all, we need to thank those who worked to organize an incredibly peaceful event. 'Thank you' may not be enough but I hope it's a start."**
Another Keweenaw County resident, Dave Schumacher, traveled to Houghton from Eagle River, Mich., for NO KINGS 3 and stayed until the end. He noted he and his wife are worried about coming elections. Schumacher asked if one can think of any time in U.S. history when people were rallying in these numbers against our president.
Heather Mroz of Keweenaw Indivisible expressed gratitude for the turnout and cooperation of city officials for the NO KINGS 3 event.
"The City of Houghton and the Houghton Police Department were great to work with throughout, helping us plan ahead and supporting us day-of so we could carry out a safe event," Mroz told Keweenaw Now. "Overall, it was just a great day. It felt energized, it felt organized, and we’re really grateful to everyone who came out."
More photos ... (These photos © John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)
