Protesters outside the county courthouse Saturday. Thomas McKenna | Collegian

Ten demonstrators protested outside the Hillsdale County Courthouse Sunday afternoon, holding signs critical of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at one of the city’s busiest intersections for passing cars to see.

The group stood near the intersection of Broad and East Bacon streets holding signs that read “Resist,” “We are not OK,” and “Voted for democracy, not the ‘Handmaid’s Tale.’” 

Carol Taylor, who said she was the lead organizer of the protest, held a sign that depicted “Jabba the Trump” and “Musk-Vader” and read “Stop the Evil Empire.”

“We are attempting to save democracy,” Taylor said. “This is pro-democracy. Stand up. Fight fascism.”

Jeff Cooley, chair of the Hillsdale County Democratic Party, said he was protesting because other people in Hillsdale County are afraid to speak their minds.

“I want them to know they aren’t alone in their feelings,” Cooley said.

Taylor said she was concerned by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which has fired thousands of federal employees since January.

“Your government is decimating all of your government services,” Taylor said. “For what end? This administration is literally following the dictator, autocracy, authoritarian playbook, and it’s terrifying to us.”

Mark Foust, Taylor’s boyfriend, chimed in.

“This is how dictatorships form in other countries,” Foust said.

Carmen Wyatt-Hayes, a former associate professor of Spanish at Hillsdale College who retired in 2021, said she opposes the administration’s mass deportations.

“I am 100% in favor of deporting immigrants who have committed crimes, just as I am in favor of American citizens who have committed crimes being imprisoned,” Wyatt-Hayes said. “But I’m thinking of someone — Marina is her name — who has done housework for one of my cousins in North Carolina for maybe 20 years. She contributes to our economy and is a completely peaceful person, and I am worried we are mixing in the ‘Marinas’ with those people who must be deported.”

Taylor said she is worried the Trump administration will not allow her to reenter the country — given her social media posts critical of the administration — when she returns from her cruise abroad next month.

“I’m terrified that they might not let me back in,” Taylor said.

This protest was one of many across the country against Trump and Musk, Taylor said. She was at the county courthouse because it’s the “government building in my community.”

“I watch Rachel Maddow and she’ll cover it every night,” Taylor said. “They’re protesting coast to coast in different cities.”

Taylor said she is trying to prevent the country from becoming authoritarian under Trump. 

“I don’t have kids. I’m a childless cat lady — thank you, JD Vance,” Taylor said, referring to the vice president’s 2021 comment that the country is run by “a bunch of childless cat ladies.” 

“But I’m doing this for your guys’ kids,” Taylor said, “for the future of our country.”

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