Thanks for Your Participation!

[John Helge]

MANISTEE COUNTY DEMOCRATS!

A solitary counter-protester trudged up and down the east side of US31 on Saturday morning carrying a flag. The flag was emblazoned with “TRUMP 2024! (expletive deleted) Your Feelings!” 

Over 600 people gathered on the west side of that same road to peacefully demonstrate to the wanna-be dictator whose name was on that flag that they preferred democracy, the constitution, and the rule of law to his version of 21^st century authoritarian fascism. Their signs did not contain profanity. Their signs showed their concern for the future of the country we love!

Their signs clearly stated that they do not want war with Iran. They know the billions of taxpayer dollars being used to kill civilians and blow stuff up would not make us safer and could be better used to reduce healthcare or childcare costs. They do not want to pay $4+for a gallon of gas. They are dismayed that the ill-conceived tariffs in conjunction with stagnant wages have made it more difficult to make ends meet.

America is finding out daily that the words on that flag truly represent exactly how little this regime of chaos, corruption, and cruelty cares about the American people who voted them into power. That vulgar statement was originally intended to be used to “own the libs” by his cultish followers who have been propagandized by right wing media to believe that he can do no wrong. That profane statement is now a response to us all as he demands his name on public buildings, government programs, and even our currency!

Everyone I talked to on the west side of the road was frustrated that they could not do more to stop this takeover. They were especially frustrated with the cowardice and complicity of our current US Congressman John Moolenaar who refuses to advocate for anything that would bring relief to his constituents. Voters told me that they would readily vote for change in November. They also said that they would reach out, welcome, and listen to family, friends, and neighbors who may never have voted for the alternative candidate in the past.

Thanks to all who joined us along US31 yesterday morning.  I am so proud of the people in this community who refuse to sit by and watch our freedoms being taken away by a cabal of incompetent fascists led by a dementia-addled fool.  

As we start the global Christian holy week, (a week that is not perverted for white, Christian, Nationalists, but belongs to all Christians who truly follow Jesus' lessons of love and caring for all people) I hope that you will be able to connect with your family and focus on them and their well-being.  We can pick up the reins and get back in the saddle doing the work for the greater good next week!

John M. Helge

johnm...@gmail.com

616-915-2403

[gregg king]

Thanks John

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[Pamela Tompke]

Thank you, John, for your insight and inspirational leadership.  Being on the street yesterday gave me a little hope for our nation. Knowing there are millions of Americans and, indeed, folks around the world who also oppose the tyranny of Trump is uplifting.   

It is so hard to understand how some of our fellow citizens can continue to support the outrageous cruelty and corruption of the current leaders of our government. Are they not paying attention?  Are they brainwashed? Do their morals align with those in power?  

Thanks for your clear-thinking and encouragement!  Pam Tompke

"The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything."  Albert Einstein 

[William Allen]

Nice job John

Bill Allen

WCDP Chair

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/manisteedems/CANCv%3DAgNmVxzJ-w-RkRGqLTc1chSmSP7BpxHnJdj2X57Ob9YwA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Donna Minarik]

We have protested at the No Kings rally in Manistee previously.  We are traveling in deep red southern Mississippi, and participated in a rally in a community down here with population a bit larger than Manistee. There were around 200 protesters, and some posted videos proving that number  The conservative media reported “dozens” of protesters.  Just once, I’d like to see one of these media liars’ pants burst into flame!  

Donna Minarik 

Sent from my iPad

On Mar 29, 2026, at 3:27 PM, William Allen <1955w...@gmail.com> wrote:



Nice job John

Bill Allen

WCDP Chair

On Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 2:23 PM gregg king <gregg...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks John

On Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 2:03 PM John Helge <johnm...@gmail.com> wrote:

MANISTEE COUNTY DEMOCRATS!

A solitary counter-protester trudged up and down the east side of US31 on Saturday morning carrying a flag. The flag was emblazoned with “TRUMP 2024! (expletive deleted) Your Feelings!” 

Over 600 people gathered on the west side of that same road to peacefully demonstrate to the wanna-be dictator whose name was on that flag that they preferred democracy, the constitution, and the rule of law to his version of 21^st century authoritarian fascism. Their signs did not contain profanity. Their signs showed their concern for the future of the country we love!

Their signs clearly stated that they do not want war with Iran. They know the billions of taxpayer dollars being used to kill civilians and blow stuff up would not make us safer and could be better used to reduce healthcare or childcare costs. They do not want to pay $4+for a gallon of gas. They are dismayed that the ill-conceived tariffs in conjunction with stagnant wages have made it more difficult to make ends meet.

America is finding out daily that the words on that flag truly represent exactly how little this regime of chaos, corruption, and cruelty cares about the American people who voted them into power. That vulgar statement was originally intended to be used to “own the libs” by his cultish followers who have been propagandized by right wing media to believe that he can do no wrong. That profane statement is now a response to us all as he demands his name on public buildings, government programs, and even our currency!

Everyone I talked to on the west side of the road was frustrated that they could not do more to stop this takeover. They were especially frustrated with the cowardice and complicity of our current US Congressman John Moolenaar who refuses to advocate for anything that would bring relief to his constituents. Voters told me that they would readily vote for change in November. They also said that they would reach out, welcome, and listen to family, friends, and neighbors who may never have voted for the alternative candidate in the past.

Thanks to all who joined us along US31 yesterday morning.  I am so proud of the people in this community who refuse to sit by and watch our freedoms being taken away by a cabal of incompetent fascists led by a dementia-addled fool.  

As we start the global Christian holy week, (a week that is not perverted for white, Christian, Nationalists, but belongs to all Christians who truly follow Jesus' lessons of love and caring for all people) I hope that you will be able to connect with your family and focus on them and their well-being.  We can pick up the reins and get back in the saddle doing the work for the greater good next week!

<Outlook-uqrsf1p3.jpg>

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/manisteedems/CAP9xNmR3yu%3DJWE39b8L-tpQDOpxuu%2BH%2BsDJz2xpPE%3DWUYJCGHw%40mail.gmail.com.

<Outlook-uqrsf1p3.jpg>

[Bill Ward]

Great info. Thanks for the summary John.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/manisteedems/A51D0D1A-878F-4D4C-BCA5-16827D73A0A5%40icloud.com.

[Judy Cunningham]

The NYTimes described the crowds at No Kings yesterday as thousands. 

There were 8 million 

Sent from my iPhone

Judy Cunningham 

Straw Bale Builder

On Mar 29, 2026, at 8:40 PM, 'Bill Ward' via Manistee Dems <manist...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/manisteedems/1882710878.1377313.1774831199155%40mail.yahoo.com.

[Diane Van Aken]

Thanks for your leadership, John.  I appreciated you walking up and down the sidewalk talking to everyone and offering encouragement.  Todd and I went up to Benzie to rally with them after ours was done, and it was not the same there.  We spoke with the folks who were standing around us, who were very friendly, but there was not the visible leadership that we had in Manistee.  You set a great example.

Diane Van Aken 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/manisteedems/A51D0D1A-878F-4D4C-BCA5-16827D73A0A5%40icloud.com.