How shall we greet Trump this Wednesday in Ypsilanti?

I want to go and protest Trump’s visit to Ypsilanti on Wednesday, but I don’t have a good idea for a sign. The best I’ve been able to come up with so far is the image above, which I just cobbled together using whatever rudimentary tools I could find online, but I doubt that it’ll still be relevant in two days. I suspect, by the time the President’s plane lands, about 41 hours from now, we’ll already be two memes away from Kellyanne Conway and her suggestion that Obama may have spied on trump through a microwave. But, you never know. As this is her first real time in the spotlight since she broke the news about the nonexistent massacre in Bowling Green, maybe she’ll double down and keep it alive a few more days. Just in case she doesn’t, though, I’m thinking that I should play it safe and go with something more timeless, like a “grab ’em by the pussy” reference. As “Ypsi” and “pussy” rhyme, I’m sure I could come up with something, right? Or, better yet, maybe I could reference Representative Steve King’s reprehensible tweet from yesterday about how, “We can’t restore our civilization with somebody else’s babies,” which, by the way, just earned some high praise from white supremacist David Duke, who, as you may recall, also said “We did it,” when Trump was elected. I’d have to give it some thought, but maybe it would suffice say, “Somebody else’s babies built this country.” Or, I suppose, I could just focus on the fact that Trump is apparently coming here to Ypsi to make good on his campaign promise to completely fuck the environment, and thereby the future of humanity, by announcing the complete rollback of fuel efficiency standards put in place by the Obama administration. I’m not sure how I would word it, but maybe I could work in a reference to the recent lawsuit on behalf of 21 children which argues that government climate policy is denying them their constitutional right to life, liberty and property. Or, I guess, I could go historic with it and use a photo of Rosie the Riveter with some words about how we don’t exactly appreciate fascists here, in the arsenal of democracy. Or maybe I could just got for the gut and write “Мудак,” which, as I understand it, is “asshole” in Russian… Damn, there’s a lot to consider.

As for Trump’s visit, here’s the White House itinerary as it was relayed to me.

Guidance for President Trump’s Air Force One Arrival in ROMULUS, MICHIGAN
Who: President Donald J. Trump
What: President Donald J. Trump Air Force One Arrival
Where: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport | Gate 27
When: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at 12:45 PM EST
Guidance for President Trump’s Remarks in YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN
Who: President Donald J. Trump
What: President Donald J. Trump Remarks
Where: American Center for Mobility
When: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at 2:00 PM EST

It doesn’t make much sense to me that he’d fly into Detroit Metro and then drive to Willow Run, instead of just flying directly into Willow Run, as Obama and other Presidents have done in the past, but maybe Trump’s the kind of guy who takes pleasure in shutting down multiple airports and highways, ruining the days of countless people… If I had to guess, I’d say that the White House is wrong, and that he’s flying directly into Willow Run, which means that he likely won’t see any of us with our signs. Still, though, I think it’s important that people turn out and let him know, even if he just hears about it on the news later, that his presence here isn’t appreciated. So, with that in mind, I’ve been looking at maps of the Willow Run airport, wondering where it might make sense to set up a protest. If you have any thoughts, let me know.

And, yes, if you were wondering, this is how the world ends, with anti-science global climate change deniers rolling back the meager goals we’d already set, essentially saying to future generations, “We, the old white men who run this country, are going to make as much money as we can in what’s left of our lifetimes, and we don’t give a single fuck about the world we’re leaving to you.” [See the lawsuit noted above.]

OK, here are a few simple ideas for signs. If you’ve got ideas of your own let me know. We can workshop them in the comments section.

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21 Comments

  1. A.N.
    Posted March 13, 2017 at 9:06 pm | Permalink

    The protest has a Facebook page.

    https://www.facebook.com/events/267936323634399/

  2. Kim
    Posted March 14, 2017 at 7:07 am | Permalink

    This is the same president who just announced that he’d be cutting funding for the Great Lakes by 97%, correct? I think I know what my sign will say.

  3. Jack Andrew Gillard
    Posted March 14, 2017 at 7:25 am | Permalink

    Pitchforks and fire?

  4. From the Protest Planning People
    Posted March 14, 2017 at 7:41 am | Permalink

    **FINAL DETAILS TBD**

    [We are finalizing details with local government and police, and will post the parking and location for protestors to gather by Tues. 3/14 2:30pm. We only learned of Pres. Trump’s visit on Monday late morning and are grateful for your passion and your patience!]

  5. Mark Tucker
    Posted March 14, 2017 at 7:43 am | Permalink

    Jack, that’s very funny actually. I can see a sea of big papier-mache pitchforks with sparkly streamer “fires” coming off of them–that would make attractive TV! And send the visual message to 45 personally, that people think he’s an Ogre: “What the hell is that?–I think it’s pitchforks and fire sir”

  6. City Watch
    Posted March 14, 2017 at 7:45 am | Permalink

    I love the idea of the Rosie’s showing up to protest. Who could get the Rosie group to protest?

  7. Mark Tucker
    Posted March 14, 2017 at 7:46 am | Permalink

    Your posters are great. Maybe you could have one with Rosie that just says “Dump Trump”. Maybe everyone would put one of those up in their windows around town– until he’s gone from the white house for good.

  8. Eel
    Posted March 14, 2017 at 9:53 am | Permalink

    How does one say ‘baby hands’ in Russian?

  9. Katherine
    Posted March 14, 2017 at 1:33 pm | Permalink

    Pelosi is calling on GOP leaders to remove Steve King from position as Chair of Constitution Subcommittee.

  10. Katherine
    Posted March 14, 2017 at 1:39 pm | Permalink

    Also, King said on the radio yesterday that hispanic and black people will turn on each other before outnumbering whites http://bit.ly/2movzmx

  11. 734
    Posted March 14, 2017 at 1:54 pm | Permalink

    The Des Moines Register is calling for Republicans to oppose King’s reelection bid.

    “Editorial: GOP needs to oppose King’s re-election, not just King’s words”

    http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/editorials/2017/03/13/editorial-gop-needs-oppose-kings-re-election-not-just-kings-words/99134588/

  12. LS
    Posted March 14, 2017 at 2:33 pm | Permalink

    I’m more curious about the group that invited and is hosting him. Will our Governor be on hand? Because we should probably prepare both sides of our signs if that’s the case.

  13. Naomi
    Posted March 14, 2017 at 8:08 pm | Permalink

    How about the Rosie image with “Not grabbing THIS pussy!”

  14. From Michigan To Believe In
    Posted March 14, 2017 at 9:06 pm | Permalink

    – The starting time of Trump’s event is still up in the air, so we’re recommending people arrive by 12:45pm or so..
    – Parking is extremely limited, so please, please, please carpool!! We will literally be parking ad hoc on the side of the road and space will run out fast.
    – Our gathering spot is on Airport Drive shortly after the exit from Wiard Road. You must arrive at the protest by exiting driving North on Wiard Road and then exiting onto Airport Drive, as the Tyler-Airport Drive loop will be partially closed off by Secret Service.

  15. anonymous
    Posted March 15, 2017 at 8:06 am | Permalink

    Who are the 3,000 invited guests I’ve read about?

  16. Support The Prez
    Posted March 15, 2017 at 10:29 am | Permalink

    How about you all quit being cry baby sore losers and be thankful you have a President who is trying his best to make this country great again.. It makes me sick that grown ass people are trying to figure out what to put on their sign, how about you just go to work like the rest of us and like the president is doing.. What a bunch of whny ass cry babies you liberals have turned into.. makes me sick

  17. Eel
    Posted March 15, 2017 at 12:13 pm | Permalink

    “what about you just go to work like the president is doing?”

    Insert the photo of Trump golfing from this post:

    http://markmaynard.com/2017/02/the-evolving-acceptability-of-presidential-golf/

  18. Demetrius
    Posted March 15, 2017 at 12:41 pm | Permalink

    @ Support the Prez

    Nice attempt at parodying a typically outraged/disappointed right-winger … but if you want to be more convincing next time, try throwing in some of these key phrases: “libtard,” “snowflake,” “Obummer,” “Demon-crats,” etc.

    You may also want to end your comments Trump-style, i.e. (“Sad!”) … but that might be a little over the top …

  19. Lynne
    Posted March 15, 2017 at 1:42 pm | Permalink

    I feel bad that I couldn’t go but work stress has been getting the best of me lately which is why I find Support the Prez’s comment to be funny. Yes, my job is what kept me away but there are times when I am willing to take some personal time for protesting. The assumption that protesters don’t have jobs is false. Some people have jobs that allow them the flexibility to show up to protests. Some people work alternative hours and thus are available during the day. Etc etc.

    One of the reasons I know that protest is effective though is that whenever people protest, the objects of the protest start to try to spin a narrative where the protesters are discredited, e.g. they are just whiners. they are unemployed. Someone is paying them to protest, etc. If protest were not effective, the protesters would just be ignored.

  20. facebook stalker
    Posted March 15, 2017 at 1:57 pm | Permalink

    From a Facebook friend: “Heard secondhand that Fiat Chrysler promised Illegitimate Leader Trump 5,000(?) attendees for today and is paying employees to go. He’ll be relaxing mpg requirements.”

  21. Richard Urban
    Posted March 12, 2018 at 11:33 pm | Permalink

    How about thanks for doing such a great job getting the economy roaring back and job creation at record paces. Keep your head up your asses you liberal ass hats.

One Trackback

  1. By Ypsilanti welcomes President Trump on March 16, 2017 at 5:42 am

    […] Trump, who, for some reason, had chosen Ypsilanti as the backdrop for his announcement that he’d be eliminating fuel efficiency standards passed into law during the Obama administration, essentially saying to future generations, “It’s our intention to do absolutely nothing […]

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