The goal of the protest was to express the anger citizens have been feeling in the recent actions of President Donald Trump, and it has been the biggest day of protest since he took office.

“There were about 3,000 people in attendance,” said Northern Michigan University student and rally attendee Jenna Hughes.

The Associated Press reported that demonstrations for Hands Off! were organized for more than 1,200 locations in all 50 states by more than 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, collegiate student organizations, labor unions, LBGTQ+ advocates, veterans and election activists. The rallies appeared peaceful, with no immediate reports of arrests.

The U.P. saw minor counterprotests in the various marches in Escanaba, Houghton, Ironwood, Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie, but nothing notable occurred.

A large crowd gathers in the Marquette Commons on Saturday, preparing to march down the streets of Marquette in a protest against the Trump Administration. (Journal photo by Antonio Anderson)

“I was attending the (march) in solidarity with people who are losing rights every day,” said Hughes. “Innocent Hispanic men and women are being deported and incarcerated. Free speech is diminishing and right now we have to speak up louder than ever. Genocides and wars around the world go unheard, or are only spoken through the lens of propaganda in our mainstream media. These include the Native American and Palestinian genocides and wars that our country is starting in Yemen by bombing their homes and businesses.”

The Marquette event was orchestrated by Lake Superior Region Indivisible. Its goal is to actively protect, defend and promote the principles and institutions of democracy for all, according to its website. Multiple Northern Michigan University student organizations were present and assisted in the protest as safety coordinators.

“As an American whose tax dollars are funding this, it is my duty to call my representatives, go to protests and engage in community organizing,” Hughes said.

The march saw protesters gather around 12:30 p.m. at the Marquette Commons, where they were given food and water, provided with signs, and participated or listened to a drum circle and had opportunities to sign petitions.

The march began at 1 p.m. when protesters walked from Main Street to Front Street to West Washington Street and down Third Street back to the Marquette Commons, where a rally was held. Police sectioned off the two blocks for protesters to march safely.