Hundreds of protesters rally outside Republican debate in Detroit
Despite the all-day snow, protesters gathered in the hundreds outside the Fox Theatre in Detroit, Michigan several hours prior to the Republican debate to make their voices heard on the minimum wage, the Flint water crisis, and other issues.
Chaotic scene outside #GOPDebate in Detroit pic.twitter.com/6CZSp2CwA6
— Jonathan Oosting (@jonathanoosting) March 4, 2016
Chanting "Can't take no more," protesters made their way right to the front of the historic Fox Theatre.
Protesters literally pushed up against the entrance gate at the Fox Theatre chanting "Can't Take No More" pic.twitter.com/CMBSj61GBi
— Dan Leach (@dtmleach) March 4, 2016
Others called for Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s arrest.
This is #BiggerThanWater 50% of Black Michiganders are living under Emergency Mgmt #Flint#Detroit#ShowdownInMotownpic.twitter.com/AEDq4CYc7b
— Justice League NYC (@NYjusticeleague) March 4, 2016
"Flint Lives Matter" signs were also part of the protest scene, expressing anger at the slowness of government to remedy the public health crisis.
Protesters chanting "Flint Lives Matter" outside GOP debate in Detroit. pic.twitter.com/XapEu8CxGJ
— Sabrina Siddiqui (@SabrinaSiddiqui) March 4, 2016
"You want our vote? Come get our vote!" demanded a group demanding a $15 minimum wage.
Huge contingent of workers 4 15$ per/hr wages marching 2wards FoxTheatre chanting"U want our vote come get out vote" pic.twitter.com/DxkQhAKA1y
— Dan Leach (@dtmleach) March 4, 2016
Yet another controversial issue was Republican front runner Donald Trump's campaign promise to build a border wall.
"Donald, this is your fu****g wall. Send me the bill," a protester's makeshift panel read.
"Donald, this is your fu****g wall. Send me the bill."
— AJ+ (@ajplus) March 4, 2016
AJ+ is outside the GOP debate site in Detroit. Stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/Jz514F6dnX
Hassan Sheikh of the Michigan Muslim Community Council was there to protest what he saw as the Republican Party's racism.
“We’re here today protesting the hateful rhetoric that has been spewed by this Republican Party, particularly Donald Trump,” Sheikh told Detroit News. “We’ve seen a rise in hate crimes. We’ve seen a rise in people being empowered to spew out hateful mindsets. And this is not good for the nation. We live in the greatest nation on earth, and we have to do everything we can to keep it that way.”
Eventually, horse-mounted police cleared the pandemonium away from the entrance of the debate venue.
Mounted police have cleared up protesters that had pushed great against the gate of Fox Theatre pic.twitter.com/OJAO2FdMCD
— Dan Leach (@dtmleach) March 4, 2016
