| Detroit Free Press
Fears of chaos at the Capitol in Lansing seemed exaggerated, as no problems were reported on Sunday during a small protest.
About a dozen self-described members of the Boogaloo Bois openly carried rifles and revolvers, but no shots were fired and no strife was reported. They wore masks while speaking briefly outside the fence that surrounded the Capitol building. They condemned the government’s exaggeration and insisted that they had always intended a peaceful demonstration.
Late in the afternoon, the meeting reflected the mood of the day, a drizzle instead of a storm.
The protesters never seemed to add up to more than 100 at a time and for most of the day they were outnumbered by police, both in uniform and in disguise, as well as members of the media, some of whom were accompanied by security guards.
The international reach of the media presence was evident in the foreign accents heard among reporters.
A State Police helicopter flew most of the day, but things on the ground were mostly silent. No song was heard. No megaphone was used.
Some of the people who attended said they were there to support President Donald Trump.
More: Live updates of the Lansing Capitol protest: no violence, no arrests
More: Photos: Protest at Michigan Capitol in Lansing
“We can’t hide and not support our president,” said Kyle Lapre of South Lyon, who wore a sweatshirt that said “Fight for Trump.” “There is a strong movement in the USA”
An aspiring businessman tried to sell Trump flags and yard signs near the meetings. He pushed his products close to the protest in a trash can like the ones the owners put on the sidewalk on the day of the trash.
He didn’t get many buyers and soon left.
An FBI warning earlier this week that there could be violent protests in state capitals across the country prompted authorities in Lansing to take precautions.
“We want to make this a safe environment for people to come here to express their constitutional rights,” said Michigan State Police lieutenant Brian Oleksyk. “We don’t know how many people are going to attend or how many groups or which groups. … but we are prepared to protect this building as well as the people who are here. We will not tolerate any kind of violence, any kind of destruction of property, any aggression against police (or) other people here expressing their constitutional rights, as well as the media. “
Buildings near the Capitol were boarded up to protect their windows. The police blocked some streets in the city center. The National Guard was on standby with armored Humvees on standby, but in the end, it was a quiet day.
Free Press reporters Elisha Anderson, Dave Boucher, Jennifer Dixon, Paul Egan, Joe Guillen and Christine MacDonald contributed to this report.
Contact John Wisely: 313-222-6825 or [email protected]. On Twitter @jwisely
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