A COVID-19 face-off: The day militias stormed Michigan’s capitol
The Boogaloo Boys stood on the steps of the Capitol Building during a rally on October 17, 2020 in Lansing, Michigan. The Boogaloo boys called it a ÔUnity RallyÕ in an attempt to distance themselves from the Wolverine Watchmen who plotted to kidnap Michigans Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Two of the men arrested in the plot were affiliated with the Boogaloo Boys. (Photo by Seth Herald-Getty Images/GroundTruth)
On April 30, 2020, hundreds of protesters, some affiliated with a wast array of armed right-wing militia groups, stormed the capitol building in Lansing, Michigan, demanding the resignation of Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
The COVID-19 pandemic had been surging for just over a month and the state was under a stay-at-home order issued by the Governor. People were out of work, locked down in their homes and uncertain of what the future would hold. In the state, over 3,700 people had lost their lives to the coronavirus and 22 percent of the population was unemployed. When Governor Whitmer announced that she would be signing an order to extend lockdown restrictions even further, hundreds organized a protest to bring their frustrations to her door.
A man walked with an American flag as hundreds of supporters of the Michigan Conservative Coalition protested against the state’s extended stay-at-home order at the Capitol building in Lansing, Michigan on April 15, 2020. (Photo by Seth Herald-Reuters/GroundTruth)
Beneath a cold spring rain, the militia groups, including the Michigan Liberty Militia, Boogaloo Bois and other non-aligned protestors, first postured with their weapons and waved flags on the steps of the capitol building. The squeaking of military boots could be heard beneath chants demanding for the governor’s resignation as they entered the capitol building through a side door, disrupting the Senate hearing on extending lockdown orders. For safety, temperatures were checked at the door by Michigan State Police.
“Let us in!” they shouted.
Iconography and allusions to president Donald Trump were frequent during the protest. (Photo by Seth Herald-Reuters/GroundTruth)
“You work for us!” they chanted in unison, face to face with other State Police Officers guarding the chamber doors and armed with only their service pistols. Governor Whitmer was not in her office at the time.
On October 8, 2020, the FBI announced they had foiled a plot to kidnap and murder Governor Whitmer. The founding member of the conspiring militia, identified by the FBI and Michigan State Police as Pete Musico, was photographed in front of the governor’s door on April 30. Twelve other men, including at least four present at this protest would also be arrested in morning raids by the FBI and Michigan State Police for allegedly plotting to kidnap the Governor.
A protester yelled at Michigan State Police after protesters occupied the capital building during a vote to approve the extension of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency declaration/stay-at-home order. (Photo by Seth Herald-Reuters/GroundTruth)Senators stood for the pledge of allegiance before a vote to approve the extension of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency declaration. (Photo by Seth Herald-Reuters/GroundTruth)Outside the state Senate chamber, protesters watched lawmakers on a monitor. (Photo by Seth Herald-Reuters/GroundTruth)Members of a militia group, including Michael John Null and Willam Grant Null (Right) who were charged October 8, 2020 for their involvement in a plot to kidnap the Michigan governor, attack the state capitol building and incite violence, stood near the doors to the chamber in the capitol building before the vote. (Photo by Seth Herald-Reuters/ GroundTruth)A protester took a photo of a Michigan State Police badge number during the occupation of the state capitol. (Photo by Seth Herald-Reuters/ GroundTruth)Protesters yelled at Michigan State Police while a monitor displayed the view of lawmakers inside the chamber voting to approve the extension of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency declaration. The stay-at-home order aimed to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the state. (Photo by Seth Herald-Reuters/ GroundTruth)A militia group with no political affiliation from Michigan, including Pete Musico, on the right who was charged October 8, 2020 for his involvement in a plot to kidnap the Michigan governor, attack the state capitol building and incite violence, stood in front of the Governors office after protesters occupied the state capitol building. (Photo by Seth Herald-Reuters/ GroundTruth)Protesters left their flags and signs at the entrance of the capitol building. (Photo by Seth Herald-Reuters/ GroundTruth)A protester wore a Plague mask during a the protest against Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s extended stay-at-home orders. (Photo by Seth Herald-Reuters/GroundTruth)Members of the militia known as the Boogaloo Bois sheltered from the heavy rain outside the Capitol building in Lansing, Michigan on May 14, 2020. (Photo by Seth Herald-Reuters/GroundTruth)A member of the Boogaloo Bois looks through a firearm sight at what was thought to be a police sniper during a rally at the Capitol Building on October 17, 2020 in Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Seth Herald-Getty Images/GroundTruth)A rifle decorated in the style favored by the militia known as The Boogaloo Bois. (Photo by Seth Herald-Getty Images/GroundTruth)The Boogaloo Bois stood on the steps of the Capitol Building during a rally on October 17, 2020 in Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Seth Herald-Getty Images/GroundTruth)Members of the Boogaloo Bois posed for a photo inside the indoor entrance to the Capitol Building during a rally on October 17, 2020 in Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Seth Herald-Getty Images/GroundTruth)Supporters of the Michigan Conservative Coalition waved flags on the steps of the capitol building in Lansing, Michigan during the protest against the state’s extended stay-at-home order, in Lansing, Michigan, on April 15, 2020. (Photo by Seth Herald-Reuters/GroundTruth)
Photographer’s Note
I didn’t have a particular method to make these images. I remember being very aware of how historical the moments taking place in front of me were as I covered the first“Operation Gridlock” on April 15, 2020 and then the occupation of the Capitol Building on April 30, 2020.
One image that particularly sticks out is the image of the militia members standing in front of the Governor’s door. To me, it was a clear attempt at intimidating the Governor. After taking the photo, I remember talking to my fiancee and a colleague who were both there photographing that day as well, and asking: What does this lead to?
