Jacquilyn Otis, an 80-year-old woman from Marquette, attributes her life experience to why she felt she had to protest; as well as her own life being affected by the Trump Administration, and the recent Federal layoffs.

“(After) 80 years of life, this is it, things are being taken away from us something more,” said Otis. “Many layoffs, my husband uses the VA (Veteran Affairs) system and we no longer get a call there, telling you to call this number if there is a crisis, because all those people have been let go.”

Otis, along with many others, braved temperatures as low as -13 with windchill to protest. Yet the protesters saw more and more people join them throughout the event which started at noon. Trump protesters did see some counterprotesters from people driving by and yelling at the protesters, though they saw much more support from those honking in agreemeent and sharing kind words.

“What else brings people out? I have transgender friends and family and in my 80 years of life, I can see what is happening,” Otis said. “We better do something. I have a feeling this will get worse and this is the least we can do. We go to the UP200 in the cold, Heikki Lunta, (ice) fishing, we can absolutely do this.”