UP protesters join national ‘Hands Off’ rallies

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) - The Lake Superior Region Indivisible group held “Hands Off” rallies on Saturday in Marquette, Houghton, Iron Mountain, Escanaba, and Ironwood. Organizers say the protesters were there to speak out against government overreach.

“Given that Congress seems to not be doing a lot, now it’s time for the people to start doing some things, and this is a non-violent way to show that we’re upset with what’s going on in the country,” said Randy Griffis, a protester from Luce County.

Griffis came from Newberry and says he’s concerned about cuts to the VA. He says his sons have experienced pay cuts and lost grant opportunities.

Hundreds of events like the rally in Marquette have been planned nationwide, and First Congressional District Republican Party Chair Daire Rendon says the organizers are being paid.

“What I have seen and read online about this group is that’s not exactly what they’re all about, and 156 liberal PACs wouldn’t have lined up to support this unless they had a bigger agenda,” Rendon said.

However, Marquette protest organizers say it’s a volunteer-run protest with costs coming from their own pockets. Protest Organizer Paul Hughes says Lake Superior Region Indivisible did all the necessary paperwork, paid the permits and coordinated with the police to use Marquette Commons and the streets for their protest.

Rendon says today is a great day to be an American with a president who’s fighting for the people.

“We have elected a president who won the most popular vote, who won the electoral college vote,” Rendon said. “He is implementing reforms that we have long waited for in this country.”

But protester Kathy Andel says she’s concerned with the Trump Administration and Elon Musk for firing workers in the VA. She says they’re slowing down claims and preventing veterans from getting the care they need.

“I did lose a good friend in Vietnam, and there’s so much that we fought for back in the day that now they’re taking away,” Andel said.

Editor’s note: The story originally omitted the Ironwood protest. That location was added Monday, 4/7 at 9:49 a.m.

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