An Overnight Sleepover, Police, Chalk Graffiti -- 24 Hours Of Protest In Front Of Barrett's Lansing Office

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 10/31/2025) Congressional candidate William Lawrence's night sleeping on the lava rocks outside U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte)'s Lansing office in protest of the presumed suspension of federal food assistance benefits – which Lawrence believes Barrett is partially responsible for – was not uneventful.

Prior to Lawrence's overnight demonstration, a pair of progressive groups hosted a protest at the same location, during which political slogans were chalked onto the stone window ledges, front steps and the pathway leading to Barrett's office. That spurred a police visit, a report, but no action of note.

“There is a clear distinction between peaceful protest and harassment, and this failed attempt to intimidate me crossed a line and will not be tolerated,” Barrett wrote in a press release. “Your political beliefs should never determine whether or not you feel safe at work, so I appreciate law enforcement investigating this criminal behavior and prioritizing the well-being of my staff who have done nothing but work tirelessly to help their neighbors and serve our communities.”

The phrases included, “Show your face Tom,” “You support fascists,” “We not forget or forgive you” and “You are a disgrace to our country.” Somebody hung a plush heart on the office's doorknob with the message “I found you a heart Tom.”

The protest from the Climate Action Campaign, Michigan Families for Fair Care, and Sierra Club Michigan comes after Barrett's staff had a “cordial and honest” face-to-face with Michigan Families for Fair Care. To turn around the next day and stage this type of protest was “deeply disturbing,” Barrett said.

Lawrence said the “so-called graffiti” Barrett's team complained about prompted the building's owner to pay the small Lawrence demonstration a visit. He reports that the conversation was “relatively cordial.” As for the police, he said they said, “As long as you're not obstructing the sidewalk, you're all good.”

The Democratic congressional candidate had raised about $1,000 as of 11 a.m. Friday. A bit of food was dropped off as part of his protest, as well. The plan was for any food donated to go to the local food bank. Of the money, 60 percent goes to the food bank and 40 percent to the Lawrence campaign.

The protests were sparked by the planned suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits next week due to the protracted federal government shutdown. Republicans are supportive of continuing the current rate of federal spending, but Democrats say they're not supporting anything until Republicans bring back COVID-era health insurance subsidies to make the product more affordable.

The progressive groups and Lawrence are protesting Barrett's support of the Republicans' position on this.

Lawrence, who has a deep history with mid-Michigan progressive activism, is staging his 36-hour protest outside Barrett's office. It was scheduled to end shortly before midnight Saturday morning.

Thursday night, he took cat naps on a lawn chair before stretching out on the lava rocks on the curb strip between the sidewalk and Walnut Street. A couple of folding tables were lined up on the edge of the sidewalk for coffee, snacks and other supplies as Lawrence entertained visitors and well-wishers.

“If we all do only what we're supposed to do, then we can guarantee that the downward spiral will continue, because that's what the status quo is now,” Lawrence said. “Any way that we can express the urgency that we feel and the passion that we feel for caring for people who are in need – as people are getting squeezed and becoming poor right before our eyes – we got to do.”

Barrett political advisor Jason Roe said Lawrence's antics are on-brand for him as a progressive activist, who at least supported the protest that preceded his own.

“It shows how reckless these activities are,” Roe said. “Given the heightened concerns about security, this is the wrong move on his behalf. There's now a police report connected to him regarding vandalism. The constant harassment, provocative political theater. Attacks on Tom as a person. It just shows where we are as a country in terms of political discourse."

“Folks need to work to lower the temperature as opposed to promoting more conflict.”

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel Jr. got into the mix on X later in the day with the post, “1.4 million Michiganders stand to lose SNAP this weekend, and Tom Barrett is whining about *checks notes* sidewalk chalk? The chalk will wash off but not the stain of taking health care and food from your constituents.”