Protest

SUPERIOR TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - The Rev. Al Sharpton, U.S. Rep. John Conyers and others say they plan a demonstration outside Gov. Rick Snyder's gated community to protest what they say is a racially biased law that makes it easier for Michigan to take over financially struggling communities and school districts. The protest is scheduled Monday afternoon on Martin Luther King Day near Snyder's home in Washtenaw County's Superior Township, near Ann Arbor. The protesters say they plan to march to a gatehouse outside the private subdivision that includes Snyder's home.

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Dearborn has denied a permit to a Florida pastor who plans to protest outside a mosque in the Michigan city. Dearborn spokeswoman Mary Laundroche (lon-DROHSH') tells The Detroit News it's possible the Rev. Terry Jones could be arrested if he carries through with the protest Friday outside the Islamic Center of America. Jones has said he plans to demonstrate outside the mosque with or without a permit. Wayne County prosecutors say they fear the protest could lead to violence, and a judge has ordered Jones to appear Thursday to answer questions about the event.

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan judge has ordered a Florida pastor to appear in court ahead of a protest scheduled for later this week outside a mosque in Dearborn. Wayne County prosecutors say they fear the Rev. Terry Jones' appearance outside the Islamic Center of America on Friday could lead to violence. Dearborn's 19th District Court Judge Mark W. Somers on Monday ordered Jones to appear Thursday to answer questions about the event. The Detroit News says prosecutors want Jones to post a "peace bond" to pay for additional police officers during the demonstration.

SOUTH BEND — More than a couple dozen parents protested in front of Hamilton Traditional School this morning, with their children gathered around them, chanting "save our school. " One of their many signs read: "SBCSC Board: We’re not going down without a fight!" They were protesting the idea of closing Hamilton school to make room for Bendix School. Hamilton’s students would be moved to Monroe Primary Center, which will have room for more than 600 students this fall when Monroe’s renovation is complete.

They may lose their jobs, so hundreds of local workers found a way to show how upset they are through a public protest. Employees at Cequent Performance Products in Goshen put "for sale" signs in car windows in the company parking lot. Cequent told its 450 workers it plans to close and move the work to Mexico. A final decision is expected in next month. The union says it will meet with the company next week.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey's Jewish community is protesting a Turkish commercial that uses an old film footage of Adolf Hitler to sell shampoo. The Jewish community and the Chief Rabbi's office on Monday called Hitler "the most striking example of cruelty and savagery" and said using his image in a commercial was unacceptable. The statement also demanded a public apology from the advertising company "to repair the damage this commercial has caused to society's conscience.

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) - A federal judge says a Detroit suburb can't require a Florida minister to clear the city of liability in exchange for a permit to protest outside a mosque. The Rev. Terry Jones has sued Dearborn, saying the city is violating his free-speech rights. Jones says he plans to protest Saturday outside the Islamic Center of America. Dearborn spokeswoman Mary Laundroche (lon-DROHSH') says the city wanted to be held harmless in case of trouble.

The first of two more protests at the Elkhart site of a controversial Tea Party billboard is set for 5 p.m. tonight (Friday). The billboard, paid for by a Tea Party group called "We the People of Marshall and Fulton County",  is posted near Nappanee Street and John Weaver Parkway in Elkhart. It says: " The Navy Seals removed one threat to America. The voters must remove the other . " Tonight, the Rev. Amy DeBeck, of Unitarian Universalists Fellowship of Elkhart, will lead the protest with an invocation and message of diversity.

The anti-BP sentiment now reaches the Michigan shore. A small group of protesters picketed outside station on Niles and Napier. Following the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, British Petroleum received the brunt of the blame. As the gulf's impact worsened, patience, for the company seems to run on empty. "BP has hurt, destroyed, or killed so much down there," said Rick Xaver, a local protester. As people filled up with BP oil, an anti-BP fueled backlash has occurred online, with a national effort to boycott local BP gas stations Wednesday.

LANSING, Mich. - It was a bitter fight with about 12,000 activists gathered at the Michigan state capitol on Tuesday. The controversial right-to-work bill will now make its mark in Michigan, which becomes the 24 th state to pass such a law. The House passed the bill Tuesday afternoon, the Senate last week, and Governor Rick Snyder signed it late in the afternoon. The day started in Lansing with a peaceful and passionate protest, but as the day moved on, tempers escalated and tensions got worse.

Protesters from a fringe political group spent Thursday afternoon outside the Niles Post Office with signs that read “Impeach Obama” and showed a depiction of President Obama as Adolf Hitler. The two protesters said they are with LaRouche Political Action Committee, a group supporting eight-time presidential candidate Lyndon LaRouche. The movement advocates the impeachment of Obama and claims he is part of a conspiracy to control world events. According to Leaderpub.com , they say they are from Chicago and will be sharing their message in cities across the country.

They may lose their jobs, so hundreds of local workers found a way to show how upset they are through a public protest. Employees at Cequent Performance Products in Goshen put "for sale" signs in car windows in the company parking lot. Cequent told its 450 workers it plans to close and move the work to Mexico. A final decision is expected in next month. The union says it will meet with the company next week.

Big Bird is leaving Sesame Street and heading for Washington, D.C. A grassroots protest to save PBS funding, dubbed the Million Muppet March, is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 3 -- three days before the presidential election -- at the National Mall. Mitt Romney 's threats during the first presidential debate to cut federal subsidies for PBS galvanized support for the "Sesame Street" network -- including Michael Bellavia and Chris Mecham. Shortly after the Oct. 3 debate, the two men began promoting the puppet protest on the MillionaireMuppetMarch.com website and MillionMuppets Twitter page -- where they've already received the support of celebrities like Ian Somerhalder and Pam Grier . The Million Muppet March, which is not affiliated with Sesame Street or Disney, is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon, Nov. 3. All protesters are encouraged to bring a puppet "for a morning of fun in the largest gathering of puppets to ever march on Washington in support of public broadcasting," say the organizers.

The first of two more protests at the Elkhart site of a controversial Tea Party billboard is set for 5 p.m. tonight (Friday). The billboard, paid for by a Tea Party group called "We the People of Marshall and Fulton County",  is posted near Nappanee Street and John Weaver Parkway in Elkhart. It says: " The Navy Seals removed one threat to America. The voters must remove the other . " Tonight, the Rev. Amy DeBeck, of Unitarian Universalists Fellowship of Elkhart, will lead the protest with an invocation and message of diversity.

ELKHART -- A controversial billboard in Elkhart has been drawing a lot of attention-- both negative and positive this month. But Monday, protesters gathered at the billboard to argue its message. The billboard, paid for by a tea party group called "We the People of Marshall and Fulton County",  is posted near Nappanee Street and John Weaver Parkway in Elkhart. It says: "The Navy Seals removed one threat to America. The voters must remove the other. " A handful of people gathered at the sign to say they don't agree with its connotations.

WEST LAFAYETTE (AP) -  It's been over a week since Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels was appointed the next president of Purdue University. Protesters gathered on the West Lafayette campus Saturday to speak out against the board's decision. They believe appointing Daniels as president is wrong because of his cuts to education as governor and his relationship to the members of the Board of Trustees. A few days ago, a former Purdue education dean dropped a 1 million dollar gift to the school over the pick.

MISHAWAKA - May Day Occupy movement protests are taking place from coast to coast. The movement is joining forces with labor unions to help spread its message. This is the first major demonstration for the Occupy movement since last fall. But some of Tuesday's demonstrations turned violent. A group of hooded demonstrators vandalized businesses in Seattle. In Oakland police used tear gas against protesters. And in New York demonstrators clashed with police leading to dozens of arrests.

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) - A federal judge says a Detroit suburb can't require a Florida minister to clear the city of liability in exchange for a permit to protest outside a mosque. The Rev. Terry Jones has sued Dearborn, saying the city is violating his free-speech rights. Jones says he plans to protest Saturday outside the Islamic Center of America. Dearborn spokeswoman Mary Laundroche (lon-DROHSH') says the city wanted to be held harmless in case of trouble.