Activists plan counter event to Donald Trump's State of the Union

As President Donald Trump delivers his first State of the Union speech in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, activists plan to host an alternative event across town they're calling The State of Our Union. The goal is to offer a different view and vision for the country at the counter event at the National Press Club, addressing gender inequalities in America today and confronting the president's agenda. Although a few congresswomen — Jayapal, Chu and Lee — have committed to attending the State of Our Union event instead of the State of the Union, the offices of U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan), U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, (D-Southfield) and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell have said they will attend the president's State of the Union. But, Lawrence's office said she will wear black in solidarity with sexual abuse survivors, just as actors did at the Golden Globes. “Wearing black during the State of the Union address is a strong sign of solidarity with victims of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment and sexual abuse," Lawrence said. Photo: U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield, speaks to a large crowd gathered inside the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017 in Romulus to speak out against the recent executive order signed by President Donald Trump. (Photo: Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press).