Another protest in Lansing brings out 3,000 who oppose domestic shock doctrine

Yesterday several thousand people converged on the Lansing State Capitol as part of the ongoing protests that are aimed at the draconian budget proposals and anti-workers legislation that Governor Snyder has put forth.

The protest occurred in stages with the first wave beginning at noon, followed by another at 2pm and a third one at 4:30pm. This writer was only there during the second wave.

The crowd was again dominated by organized labor groups representing many of the trade unions, nurses union, teachers union as well as government employees. However, there were also people there as students, senior citizens, environmentalists and activists of all stripes.

People carried signs that reflected their anger, some of which was targeted specifically at Governor Snyder and some of it because of the threats to local municipal autonomy, which was threatened with the new legislation that will allow the state to appoint “emergency managers” to communities that are facing a serious financial crisis.

Here is video that includes comments from a Detroit-based minister who addressed the crowd, followed by comments from a Grand Rapids member of the UAW.

After the speakers hundreds of people went into the Capitol building to confront legislators and to disrupt business as usually. Here is some footage of the Capitol occupation where people used chants about democracy, defending workers and slamming corporate bailouts. There were a few arrests reported, but most of those who came to the demonstration left willingly.