25/03/2026
It is -25 degrees below zero in the small town of Chelsea, Michigan. A state that was narrowly won by Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
This is not about the immigrants, it is much bigger than that.
Howey [sic] Brooks and Rebecca Houtsma brave the bitter cold to wave to cars in Chelsea, Michigan. Like many other protest groups, they gather at the same spot every week.
Vincent Elie, a retired doctor and coordinator of the local Indivisible group, didn't expect more than a few members to brave the extreme cold to join this week's protest, which takes place at an intersection outside a shopping mall every Friday at 4 p.m.
A total of 44 people show up.
Many of them had never participated in a protest before this past year. Now they stand here every week with banners – “Abolish ICE”, “Uphold the constitution”, “We stand with Minnesota” – and wave to passing cars. Many honk their horns encouragingly, some passengers give them the middle finger.
"We should be living in a golden age for everyone on this earth. Instead we have this political crap, I had to do something," says Howey [sic] Brooks with ice in his beard. He started going to protests six months ago.
Next to him stands Rebecca Houtsma, a retired speech therapist. She says it's important to keep coming here, and to invite more people. That everyone is welcome. But the most important thing, she says, is to find ways to talk to those who disagree. To rebuild trust between people.
– We're not there yet, but maybe we can create a small bridge for others by standing here in the cold and caring.
https://amnestypress.se/artiklar/det-nya-motstandet/