Protesters Rally Against EPA Rollbacks and Job Cuts in Ann Arbor

The streets of Ann Arbor were filled with the sounds of honking horns and chanting voices on Thursday as hundreds gathered to protest outside an EPA laboratory known for its vehicle emissions testing. Demonstrators carried signs with messages such as “EPA saves lives,” “Climate Can’t Wait,” and a prominent banner declaring “FIRE MUSK” as they expressed their concerns about environmental deregulation and job cuts within federal agencies.

In a controversial move, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced intentions to revoke 31 environmental regulations, including those related to mercury and air toxics from coal-burning power plants, as well as vehicle emission standards. This announcement has sparked significant backlash among environmental advocates.

Beyond environmental issues, the protest also addressed broader governmental changes, such as substantial job reductions at the Department of Education and other agencies, along with the termination of a union agreement safeguarding TSA workers.

Addressing the crowd, Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi urged continued activism. “This is what it will take to resist,” Rabhi remarked. “The first few weeks and months of this administration have been a complete and total [expletive] disaster! This moment in our nation’s history will be remembered! It will be remembered for its awfulness. It will be remembered for its lack of humanity. It will be remembered for how it is destroying our families, our veterans, our environment, all in one stroke of an idiotic felt pen. We will not allow this to continue!”

Further demonstrations are planned by activist groups for Friday afternoon in Ann Arbor, including protests on pedestrian bridges over highways and at a Tesla dealership on Jackson Road, highlighting DOGE head Elon Musk’s role. Recent weeks have also seen protests at Tesla locations in Grand Rapids and other Michigan cities, opposing DOGE-related cuts.