Anti-ICE Protesters Storm Michigan Lawmaker’s Lawn

What should have been a quiet Saturday morning turned into an hour-long nightmare at the home of Rep. Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia).

Dozens of people from anti-ICE groups, including Cosecha and GR Rapid Response to ICE, launched a “Tour of Shame” which involved showing up at Rigas’ west Michigan home on Saturday in protest to a group of bills she’s co-sponsored which prioritizes Michigan residents over illegal aliens.

“It was pretty scary,” Rep. Rigas said in an interview with Michigan News Source. “My kids were home. [The protestors] were on my porch, my sidewalk, in my yard. They recorded it, too,” Rigas said.

In an effort to deescalate the situation, Rigas said she opened up her door and told the group to leave her lawn and stay in the street. She said when the protestors moved to the street, they blocked traffic. Since Rigas was home alone with her three children, a neighbor came and stayed on her deck until the police arrived. She said her first inclination was to step outside and have a conversation with them, but her kids warned against it.

“I’m open to having a conversation, but if you’re going to show up at home and scream at me I will not engage with you,” Rigas said.

Tom Leonard, a GOP candidate for governor, posted a portion of Rigas’ camera footage on X. He described the actions of the protestors as “disgusting.” Leonard then gave a challenge to all Michigan politicians. “Every elected official—Republican and Democrat—should call out these lunatics.

“Tour of Shame” participants sign their work.

According to the group’s Facebook page, the protestors planned on showing up at the home of Rep. Bryan Posthumus (R-Rockford) as well but he wasn’t home on Saturday morning. They also made their way to the home of State Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) who was home. According to published reports, protestors gave Brinks information on “pro-immigrant” legislation from other states.

Rigas turned over her Ring camera footage to Kent County officials as well as the Michigan State Police. They are using facial recognition to determine the identity of the protestors. However, protestors made the job of law enforcement easy by leaving a poster board with their names on Rigas’ porch.

Death threats.

Saturday’s events would be enough to leave anyone rattled, but Rigas said things have gotten progressively worse for her since Sept. 10. That’s the day Christian conservative political activist Charlie Kirk was killed by an assassin. Rigas said since then, she’s received two death threats which the police and the Michigan House Sergeant-at-Arms both have on their radars.

According to Rigas, law enforcement did not arrive until after the protestors had spent about 75 minutes on her property and in the street. Neighbors placed several 911 calls to police but they arrived after the protestors dispersed. While police have increased patrols in Rigas’ neighborhood, the emotional weight of the day’s events has already taken its toll.

“I’m angry they came to my home where my children are,” Rigas said. “They said they’re coming back for me. I will stand my ground and defend my family.”