All of U.S. 250: Macomb Showed Up
An editorial piece by- Miss Information
It started with markers, foam core, and a room full of people who had things to say — and it was something to see and feel.
About twenty people gathered for the pre-demonstration sign-making event, and the creativity in that space was electric. People cut, painted, and lettered their way through what they needed the world to know. There was a banner signing — an opportunity to write words of solidarity and encouragement as a send-off for the MDR members boarding a bus to Washington D.C. for the larger All of U.S. 250 national event. And running alongside it, a Father’s Day letter-writing campaign directed at Representative John James.
The letter-writing effort was originally organized by Michigan Families For Fair Care, who had planned to hold an action outside James’ Warren office on June 17th — asking him, dad to dad, to hear the voices of fathers across Michigan who are struggling under policies he has supported. With the weather forcing that event to pivot, MDR brought the spirit of it into the sign-making space. Because the message still needed to be delivered. John James is a father. He is a veteran. My father is a veteran, and that’s why I chose to write a letter. And John James’ support of policies that make life harder for Michigan families — that strip resources from the very fathers and children he was elected to represent — deserved to be said out loud, in writing, for Father’s Day. The little toolboxes handed out were a sweet gift to thank the letter writers. The letters themselves were delivered straight to James — no gift wrap needed.
The energy in that room set the tone for everything that followed.
The Blog/ Editorial team
Before demonstrators hit the streets, our own Brandon set the stage with a piece on the blog that is worth your time to read in full. Titled “All of U.S. | A Story Of America That Survives Contact With Actual History,“ it cuts to the heart of why this moment matters:
“The arc of the universe doesn’t bend towards justice — it bends because ordinary people have forced it into a more just shape.”
“Those who were systematically excluded from the benefits of this arrangement might use its lofty ideals as a crowbar to pry open doors that were never meant for them.”
“We have a choice for how we hold this history, and what kind of country we want to become.”
That last one landed hard for me. I left him a comment that felt like it summed up why all of us were about to walk out that door and into the street:
“That’s exactly it. We don’t have to lie about our history to find figures worth celebrating. So many people helped shape this country into something beyond what it was originally designed to be and they did it by fighting, organizing, and refusing to accept what was handed to them. When we acknowledge the ugly parts honestly and still look for the helpers, we can be proud of the growth without pretending the struggle didn’t happen. And we can look at what those people did and use it as fuel for the fight we’re in right now. We will not go back. No matter how hard they push. We keep looking to the leaders and organizers who showed us what this country is actually capable of becoming and we keep going.”
Go read Brandon’s full piece on the blog — and if you aren’t already signed up for MDR’s email newsletter and following our social media, now is the time. That’s where you’ll find updates on blogs, events, and everything happening on the ground.
Then came June 27th.
Over eighty demonstrators showed up to the corner of Hall Road and Eastbrook in Sterling Heights — and the lead organizer herself called it an exceptionally peaceful demonstration. That tracks with everything felt on the ground that day.
One woman told me she’s just scared. She got active when one of her pre-K students was deported. That fear didn’t send her home. It sent her here, to this corner, on this Saturday, standing alongside strangers who had become neighbors in the truest sense of the word.
People of all ages showed up. Families. Retirees. First-timers and seasoned organizers standing shoulder to shoulder. And yes — Shamrock was there too. My Saint Bernard service dog made her demonstration debut, and somewhere along the way she became something more than a service dog for the day. She became the crowd’s therapy dog, moving through the group and offering the kind of comfort that’s hard to put into words when you’re in the middle of a long, exhausting, necessary fight to protect democracy. People needed that. She knew it before any of us said so.
The signs told the story of who was there and why:
“They forced us to recite liberty and justice for all. Now they’re mad that we meant it.”
“For 250 years, America has hated fascism. I do this for free.”
“Protect the vote. No SAVE Act.”
“Fight truth decay.”
“Democracy is a team sport.”
“We the people = EVERYONE!”
“Dignity and respect for ALL.”
“Equality is patriotic.”
The event was well organized and the atmosphere was genuinely warm — the kind of warmth that builds when people realize they are not alone in what they’re feeling. The Marshals did an excellent job keeping everyone safe and in line with the parameters the city laid out. Local law enforcement was professional, present, and cooperative throughout, and we are grateful for that partnership. The atmosphere was so good that as one attendee put it afterward, “Even the cops grooved with us, down in Sterling Heights.”
The honks of support far outnumbered anything else, and more than once you could feel the crowd lift when a driver laid on the horn and raised a fist out the window.
This is what good trouble looks like.
As Macomb Defenders Rising said of today’s event:
“While we boycott and reject Trump’s anti-American, whitewashed 250th, all of US will join together to take up the torch from our ancestors, reckon with and repair from our history, and create a future where liberty and justice are for all.”
What’s Next — Keep Going
The demonstration was one day. But the movement is ongoing, and it is never too late to get active, add your voice, and join the fight. This is a marathon, not a sprint, and we are in this for the long haul. If you haven’t found your place in it yet, here are some ways to get started right here in Macomb County:
Night Shift: The Defenders’ Lounge — Every 1st and 3rd Monday, 8pm on Zoom. A virtual space to vent, vibe check, and recharge with your community. Come tired, fired up, uncertain, or all of the above. All are welcome, whether you speak up or just listen in.
Stand Up Indivisible Corner Demonstration — July 4th, 1–2:30pm, NE corner of Auburn and Rochester. A nonviolent action calling to abolish ICE and oppose new wars. Good trouble, Independence Day edition.
MDR Summer Potluck Picnic — July 12th, 1–5pm, Lake St. Clair Metropark, Voyager Picnic Shelter. Food, music, yard games, and good company. Bring a dish if you can, bring yourself regardless.
MDR July Members Meeting — July 13th, doors at 6pm, meeting at 6:30pm, Clinton-Macomb Main Library. New faces are always welcome.
MDR meets every second Monday of the month. If you’re ready to be part of a community that organizes, trains, and shows up together in Macomb County, this is your invitation.
Webpage: macombdefenders.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MacombDefendersRising
Email: info@macombdefenders.com
You can also find us on Instagram and Bluesky.
We hope to see you there.
The people united will never be defeated.
Editor’s note: I made every effort to censor images where needed using the tools available to me, particularly in cases where I was unable to obtain one-on-one permission to use identifiable faces. All photos included were taken by me at these events, unless otherwise credited below the photo. I received explicit permission from Jane, an MDR member, to use any images of her — she brought incredible energy to the demonstration, and I’m grateful to her for that. And thank you to fellow editorial team member Brandon for permission to include some quotes from his pre-demonstration piece, and for all your words of encouragement.