ADRIAN, Mich. — More than 300 people gathered Saturday in front of the Old Courthouse in downtown Adrian as part of the nationwide 50/50/1 protest, a grassroots movement calling for economic justice, labor rights, and a stand against political extremism.
The protest was organized by Allie Quinn, a recent Detroit transplant who said she felt compelled to take action after noticing a lack of direction following earlier demonstrations in the area. “There was a lack of direction in our area,” Quinn said in an interview. “A lot of people were reaching out after April 5th, like, ‘When’s the next protest?’ So I decided, I guess I’ll throw the next protest.”
Saturday’s event was part protest and part community action. In addition to signs and chants, demonstrators donated food and supplies to benefit Daily Bread of Lenawee, reinforcing what Quinn described as a commitment to community as well as political change.
“It’s two-fold,” she said. “We want to show that we’re supporting community always, and we’re done with the Trump regime. We’re done being controlled by billionaires, having their hands in every single part of our lives.”
Quinn, who now works with the Michigan chapter of 50/50/1, said the local movement is becoming more organized and anticipates continued momentum. “We plan on doing this every other weekend, if not every weekend,” she said. “We’re going to go and go and go—ramp up as far as we have to go.”
Despite cloudy skies and cool temperatures, spirits were high as community members held signs, marched, and engaged in conversation about the future of democracy and the economy. Organizers say they’re already planning the next protest.
