Protesters outside the Marriott in Troy. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
TROY, Mich. (WJBK) -
Demonstrators were protesting a visit by Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney Wednesday at the Marriott Hotel in Troy where he was taking part in a campaign fundraiser. Romney has been campaigning in Michigan over the last couple of days.
The Metro Detroit AFL-CIO led the demonstration. The union is still
critical of Romney's stand on the auto industry bailout saying GM and
Chrysler deserved to go bankrupt and that the federal government should
never have written a check to save them.
They're also critical of
Romney's recent comments that union workers deserve to be laid off if
they want to strike instead of work, including teachers, police officers
and firefighters.
Some of the protesters told us there were 600 people outside the hotel, but we counted between 200 and 300.
The protesters we spoke with said they were not paid. They showed up because they think Romney's politics are bad.
"I'm here to support Barack Obama and give my brothers and sisters a chance and a voice to be heard," said one protester.
"He didn't care about the auto industry. He didn't think about bailing out the auto industry. Anyone in Michigan that votes for Romney is out of their mind," another said.
A couple of people did tell us they were bused in by a group with the name of GoodJobsNow.org.
We asked the Romney campaign for a response to the protest. Their statement, "Governor Romney is focused on turning our economy around and getting people back to work. On day one, he will reverse the failed policies of the Obama administration that have left nearly 400,000 Michiganders unemployed."
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:40 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:40:48 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:20 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:20:12 GMT
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:13 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:13:58 GMT
A search of a rural field in suburban Detroit has failed to turn up the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, an FBI agent announced Wednesday as authorities ended the dig.
A search of a rural field in suburban Detroit has failed to turn up the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, an FBI agent announced Wednesday as authorities ended the dig.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:45:33 GMT
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:22 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:22:54 GMT
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:41 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:41:21 GMT
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:35:18 GMT
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason to radio station WWJ, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
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Protesters outside the Marriott in Troy. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
