Across Michigan, more and more residents are recognizing the power of community organizing to push back against harmful national policies and build a better future for all. In the face of escalating threats from the Trump administration — including attacks on civil rights, immigrant protections, and access to healthcare — local movement building offers a critical path forward. It’s about harnessing collective power at the neighborhood and state levels to create lasting, equitable change.

Community organizing has long been a cornerstone of transformative social change. Effective social movements lead to stronger civic engagement, more responsive institutions, and improved public policies. Organizing efforts have driven concrete wins in areas like affordable housing, tenant rights, and public safety by empowering communities to directly engage with decision-makers.

In Michigan, this movement is growing rapidly. Grassroots justice-focused nonprofits are bringing together working families, youth, immigrants, and people of color to demand change. One of the most passionate and powerful organizations in this regard is Michigan United. 

If you’re ready to take your activism to the next level and learn how to get involved in your community, Michigan United is here for you. We organize countless campaigns and demonstrations — including our annual Capitol Day event — to improve life for Michiganders by voicing community demands and talking with leaders about critical issues, from universal healthcare to campaign finance reform and reproductive freedom.

What Michigan United Is Fighting For

Michigan United is a statewide nonprofit focused on mobilizing communities to fight for racial, economic, and environmental justice. The organization is active in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Saginaw, and its campaigns reflect the urgent needs of Michiganders:

• Tax the rich. Push for progressive tax reform that requires wealthy individuals and large corporations to pay their fair share.
• Reform campaign financing. Fight to end big money in politics so that communities — not corporate donors — shape public policy.
• Demand universal healthcare. Advocate for healthcare as a human right and ensure all Michiganders have access to affordable, quality care.
• Protect reproductive freedom. Defend and expand access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion rights.
• Defend voting rights. Protect and strengthen the right to vote, especially in communities that have historically been disenfranchised.

Broad public involvement is one of the most important steps to building a grass roots movement that gets things done. Lawmakers need to hear directly from the people most affected by unjust policies — and everyday citizens must see themselves as active participants y leaders in the movement for justice. Change doesn’t happen because a few people speak up; it happens when entire communities show up and take action together.

What Capitol Day Is and Why You Should Attend

One powerful way for Michiganders to do this is by participating in Capitol Day 2025. This annual event is a rallying cry for everyone who believes in communities over corporations.

Capitol Day 2025 takes place on April 23 at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing. It brings together people from all over the state to stand up for working families and demand a government that puts people over profit. It’s accessible, too: you can sign up to ride on one of the buses leaving from various corners of the state.

The event features:

• Direct meetings with lawmakers to push for fair legislation
• Speeches from youth and community leaders
• A massive rally on the Capitol steps to show solidarity and resistance

Key issues on the Capitol Day agenda include:

• Progressive taxation
• Campaign finance reform
• Universal healthcare
• Reproductive justice
• Voting rights protections

Community organizing isn’t just about protests and policy — it’s about reclaiming power and building a future where every person has dignity, opportunity, and safety. For Michiganders who care about healthcare, democracy, reproductive freedom, and economic fairness, now is the time to get involved.

On April 23, Michigan United and its supporters are heading to the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing to demand a government that puts people over profit. Meet your neighbors, raise your voice, and stand with others who believe in justice for all. Then, keep going: volunteer, attend meetings, donate if you can, and help build a stronger, more unified Michigan.

Take Action With Michigan United

Michigan United is a broad, statewide coalition working to reform our broken healthcare and immigration systems, protect our environment, end mass incarceration, and make essential services accessible to all. 

We are at a critical moment in our nation’s history as we prepare to confront the troubling realities of Trump’s executive orders and wider administration. Working families are under attack — from Lansing to DC — and we’re fighting back. If you’re wondering what you can do, Michigan United is here for you. We have campaigns in place to protect Michiganders from all forms of injustice, which means you can make a difference in all the areas that matter to you, right here, all in one place.

The Trump administration is attacking everything we care about. We're working to build a home for Michiganders. We are a hub for people-centered leadership development, issue organizing, and civic power-building. We are movement builders.

Ready to do something now? Join us by becoming a member, volunteering with us, or getting involved with one of our events or projects. Start driving the reality of change today!