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MiHale

(13,037 posts)
Sat Jan 31, 2026, 04:10 PM Jan 31

It wasn't a huge protest, maybe 75 people...

It was cold but we’re Michiganders…what a little cold? Organizers didn’t want any injuries due to the weather so it was only a little over an hour long. West Branch, Michigan. Indivisible quick protest.
No pictures…mittens stopped that. I do have an idea to share though.

We were in the middle of making our signs and an idea struck…no signs. Using a little northern experience we painted some old oversized t-shirts I use for working in the field. Over our coats it was another layer of warmth and an easy way to get out the message.

24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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It wasn't a huge protest, maybe 75 people... (Original Post) MiHale Jan 31 OP
That's a great idea! leftstreet Jan 31 #1
Thanks. MiHale Jan 31 #4
Good thinking. sinkingfeeling Jan 31 #2
Thanks MiHale Jan 31 #5
Very clever! Faux pas Jan 31 #3
Thanks MiHale Jan 31 #6
Thanks for representing Michigan in West Branch. llmart Jan 31 #7
This is huge MAGA territory... MiHale Jan 31 #10
I was sure I had some oversized t-shirts in my bottom drawer... Harker Jan 31 #8
😂👍 MiHale Jan 31 #11
Spring is coming! Harker Jan 31 #13
Great idea, MiHale!! Sorta like a sandwich board but not heavy and unwieldy. Very nice lettering, too.👍❤️ littlemissmartypants Jan 31 #9
Thank you... MiHale Jan 31 #12
You're welcome. ❤️ littlemissmartypants Jan 31 #14
TYVM MiHale!! bluestarone Jan 31 #15
That's awesome, MIHale! catbyte Jan 31 #16
We were joking about that at the protest... MiHale Feb 1 #18
or providing a safety warning to would-be ice (small letters) fishermen GopherGal Feb 1 #17
This is a FANTASTIC IDEA!!! Trueblue Texan Feb 1 #19
We're getting some 3x t's... MiHale Feb 1 #22
Great idea! Thank you for your patriotic service! Emile Feb 1 #20
You're so welcome... MiHale Feb 1 #23
Great t-shirts paxmoki Feb 1 #21
You're welcome... MiHale Feb 1 #24

llmart

(17,625 posts)
7. Thanks for representing Michigan in West Branch.
Sat Jan 31, 2026, 05:34 PM
Jan 31

Not all places "Up North" are MAGA country. I also heard Traverse City had a fairly good turnout.

Harker

(17,802 posts)
8. I was sure I had some oversized t-shirts in my bottom drawer...
Sat Jan 31, 2026, 05:39 PM
Jan 31

but I guess not. They all fit pretty tightly.

littlemissmartypants

(33,708 posts)
9. Great idea, MiHale!! Sorta like a sandwich board but not heavy and unwieldy. Very nice lettering, too.👍❤️
Sat Jan 31, 2026, 06:26 PM
Jan 31

MiHale

(13,037 posts)
12. Thank you...
Sat Jan 31, 2026, 06:47 PM
Jan 31

Freehand lettering…10 minutes..we thought it coulda been better, but this was a quick call protest.

catbyte

(39,165 posts)
16. That's awesome, MIHale!
Sat Jan 31, 2026, 08:36 PM
Jan 31

Although some of the denser folks probably thought you were complaining about the weather here in Michigan.

MiHale

(13,037 posts)
18. We were joking about that at the protest...
Sun Feb 1, 2026, 11:50 AM
Feb 1

Along M- 55 in front of Walmart where the snow was plowed up over the sidewalk…ice chunks were all we could stand on. The irony was appreciated.

GopherGal

(2,910 posts)
17. or providing a safety warning to would-be ice (small letters) fishermen
Sun Feb 1, 2026, 11:27 AM
Feb 1

or maybe just placing a soft drink order.

Trueblue Texan

(4,470 posts)
19. This is a FANTASTIC IDEA!!!
Sun Feb 1, 2026, 12:02 PM
Feb 1

I am still dealing with a shoulder injury I got from holding signs in 2 No Kings day protests in last spring and summer...holding a sign against the wind for a couple of hours can do some real damage on older shoulders. I'll pick up some of those Ts at Michaels and get to work...so much easier to store than poster board!

MiHale

(13,037 posts)
22. We're getting some 3x t's...
Sun Feb 1, 2026, 12:42 PM
Feb 1

The big sizes are an easier fit over jackets or coats allowing for better access to pockets.
The wind was a consideration we were going to use styrofoam board this time instead of poster board, but the shirt idea came up…off to the races.

MiHale

(13,037 posts)
23. You're so welcome...
Sun Feb 1, 2026, 12:44 PM
Feb 1

Took my oath of service in 1972 and have been trying to live up to it since.

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