SUNDAY, Jan. 17 — Cops and news reporters vastly outnumbered demonstrators at the Michigan State Capitol today. Despite expectations of large crowds and warnings of potential violence from armed protesters, the scene was mostly quiet by 2 p.m.
City Pulse counted fewer than two dozen protesters, but plenty more police officers and soldiers with the Michigan National Guard.
Reporters scrambled to interview a few armed activists amid the constant whirl of a Michigan State Police helicopter that hovered above.
Lansing Mayor Andy Schor, City Council President Peter Spadafore and U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin were spotted on the scene. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was also seen thanking several National Guard soldiers staged on the south side of the Capitol.
Here are a few photos from earlier today. Check back for additional coverage from City Pulse.
We are still not out of the woods. But, Sunday’s show of united, overwhelming protection is the reason the protests were uneventful. Make no mistake, we were at risk of violent outbreak without the concerted show of force.