Rally at State Capitol March 16, 2011 More than 5,000 people started the Rally for Michigan's Families in front of the State Capitol in Lansing for the Noon kick-off, and the crowd grew throughout the day! Members of labor unions, community groups, seniors and children gathered in front of the capitol steps and then proceeded inside the Capitol. Outside we listened to speakers from many groups and inside we filled the rotunda and dome with our chants. Sylvia Karpinsky from the Hamtramck Federation of Teachers got the crowd going with song, and AFT Michigan president David Hecker got them fired up with his speech. You can see photos from the day on the AFT Michigan Facebook page.