‘Oligarchs are Deeply Tied to Both Parties,’ says MI State Rep. at ‘Hands Off’ Protest

Editor’s note: Below are remarks made by Michigan State Rep. Dylan Wegela (D-26th District) at the April 5, 2025, ‘Hands Off’ protest in Lansing, MI.

‘Oligarchs are deeply tied to both parties. If they weren’t, then why would three Billionaires have more wealth than the bottom half of the entire United States?’

“Folks, This moment is not a normal one, and sitting on the sidelines is not an option. 

This isn’t time for business as usual, and if we move forward with business as usual it will cost dearly. They will take everything that we let them. 

Are we going to let them take our civil rights and right to free speech? 

Are we going to let them privatize our public schools?

Are we going to let them destroy Medicare and Social Security?

Our system was built on checks and balances between the three branches of government. We have seen the Trump Administration rip up our constitution by directly ignoring the courts. 

Listen, I used to teach history. It usually doesn’t end well when governments start rounding up residents just because they don’t like their political opinions.

This administration has directly ignored the courts and has sent innocent people to a foreign country’s abusive internment camp. A place that has a proven track record of violating human rights. 

I emphasize the word “innocent” because last time I checked in this country we believe in due process. We believe that every person is innocent until proven guilty. 

If the fascists can strip due process away from one group, what is stopping them from coming for you next? When they have stamped out our courts and decimated our laws how can you stop them from coming after you next? 

Students have been at the forefront of justice throughout US history.

I am here to say that it’s not a crime to protest genocide. 

I am here to say it is not a crime to argue that the US shouldn’t fund the bombs being used to murder children. 

I am here to say that holding opinions is not a deportable offense. 

We need to Free Mahmoud Khalil!

We need to free Rümeysa Ozturk! 

And every other student who has been detained simply for using their voice to fight for humanity. 

Freedom of speech is everything. We must protect it at all costs and must be willing to call out anyone who uses positions of power to silence the people.

And Justice must apply regardless of party lines.

We must also call on our attorney general here in Michigan to drop the charges on the University of Michigan pro-Palestinian protestors. 

Right now the Trump administration and Elon Musk are working overtime to consolidate power. Did you know that only 3% of the federal budget is spent on staffing? 3%

So why cut it? Well, it’s not about saving money — it’s about making the government weaker, less efficient, with the goal of installing employees who are loyal to Trump. 

I won’t sugarcoat it, we are seeing the extremes of oligarchy and are seeing what it looks like under Fascism, but we must not forget that the oligarchy isn’t new. 

Oligarchs are deeply tied to both parties. If they weren’t?

Then why would three billionaires have more wealth than the bottom half of the entire United States?

Why was last quarter the most profitable quarter ever for corporations? Profiting $2.8 Trillion.

Why are 40% of Michigan families struggling to meet their basic needs?

Why is credit card debt is at an all-time high?

How come almost 50% of Americans can’t even afford to own stock? 

In Trump’s first term, he gave the wealthy elite one of the biggest tax cuts in US History. 

Here in Michigan in Democrats’ first trifecta in 40 years we gave one of the largest corporate handouts in Michigan History: $4.5 Billion. 

Why bring these things up? 

I am tired of being told this is fucking normal. It’s not. We have enough for everyone. We have enough for people to have housing, healthcare, and food. Anyone who says we don’t is lying. 

I believe that these conditions are what made it possible for Trump to rise to power. 

The problems created by unchecked capitalism and the failure of the Democratic Party to meet the needs of the working class is what led to Trump’s second term and the rise of fascism. 

Our economic system is broken. 

Martin Luther King Jr. spoke out against our economic system. He said: “With this system (capitalism), a small privileged few are rich beyond conscience, and almost all others are doomed to be poor at some level. That’s the way the system works. And since we know that the system will not change the rules, we are going to have to change the system.” 

I ask you,

Are you ready to change that system? 

Are you ready to beat fascism?

We have to face the uncomfortable truth, if we want to prevent people like Trump from coming to power we have to fight for people, not donors, not corporations. 

If we want to win moving forward, Democrats can not long be complicit in oligarchy.

The issues within our system are within both parties, and we must face this. 

Ninety percent of federal elections are decided by the candidate who spends the most money, leading to a system where corporations can buy power. 

Are you ready to overturn Citizens United?

It is my hope that we are in the middle of a great awakening of class consciousness. The only way for us to defeat fascism and the billionaires is through collective solidarity and mass action. 

Solidarity is an act of love. Love will beat hate. 

The real revolution starts within all of us. Do we have the courage to stand up as the collective working class? 

Are you ready to stand up for your fellow human?

Are you ready to stand up for Trans Rights? 

Are you ready to stand up for immigrants?

Are you ready to stand with someone you don’t know?

You might be inclined to run, escape, or hide, but it is our duty to fight. 

We must resist in all ways.

Boycotts, protests, peaceful civil disobedience, but most importantly we must organize to withhold our labor. Going on strike is our most powerful weapon. 

If anything I said today resonates with how you’re feeling, join DSA — group that is working to change our economic system. 

Hold the Democratic Party accountable, and if it refuses to represent the working class, and fails to take on Trump? 

Well, maybe we need new Democrats or a new party altogether for the working class.”