MPT placed a peace team for the statewide Pride Day at the Michigan Capitol building on June 25, 2005 per invitation of the Pride Day coordinators. Our role was to prevent violence from whatever its source so everyone's freedom to assemble and speak could be exercised without fear.

MPT had three affinity teams and one of the teams was a roving bike patrol that went between the festival at Riverfront Park to the Capitol, as well as checked out parking structures. All teams were very visible.

We had three radios provided by Michigan Pride so we had excellent communication with each other as well as a means to contact organizers as needed. We also had 4" x 5" leaflets briefly explaining our role as a peace team with a map of the area on the reverse.

There were about 25 protestors in 3 locations and although a small number relative to the large crowd of Pride celebrants, they attracted a lot of attention.

During the march, there were three corners with protestors so peace team members stationed themselves next to them. Protestors ranged from the almost silent with signs (and lawn chairs) to more militant and vocal. Some were motivated by Christian faith and expressed this, while other protestors sought to distance themselves from faith based statements and present a secular, moral concern.

There were no incidences of violence, but the peace team was definitely needed, as there were many heated, angry exchanges. Peace team members physically stood in between protestors, Pride attendees and other folks during many of these exchanges.

A father and son protested together, holding a large banner and one of the peace team members (a lesbian) introduced herself to them and explained our role there. They asked her to stay with them because they were worried about violence and wanted her protection. She really enjoyed doing this and was tickled at the irony of the situation.

The Pride organizers made announcements on the loudspeakers about every hour thanking and praising Michigan Peace Team. Many, many Pride day attendees came up to team members and thanked us or shouted "We love you peace team!" etc. We had a wonderful reception from the Pride folks.

We were also able to have some good conversations with the protestors and many of them also thanked us for our presence. At least 3 Pride folks asked how they could join a domestic peace team for next year and one protestor expressed interest in our international work.