State police search a vehicle after a highway protest slowed traffic on I-75 near I-94 in Detroit on Thursday, March 7, 2013.

DETROIT, MI -- Slow-moving vehicles traveling south on I-75 near I-94 in an apparent protest brought traffic to a near standstill and attracted state police to the scene Thursday afternoon.

Michigan State Police issued citations to nine drivers for traveling under the minimum speed limit, said Lt. Mike Shaw.

"We're not so much concerned about the protest as them endangering other motorists," Shaw said.

A sign that read "right to work" could be seen in the passenger side window of one black sedan involved.

A sign hanging from the rear bumper of a black Ford read, "Detroit Emergency Manager," based on photos and video available on Channel 4's ClickOnDetroit.com.

Another read, "Democracy," with an "Allen Park" sign visible in the rear window. Yet another said "Pontiac."

Police had released all but one of the vehicles by 4:30 p.m. A tan Buick on the shoulder was being searched by troopers.

Update:

Rev. Charles Williams II, head of the National Action Network in Michigan, which held a separate demonstration outside a Downtown Detroit federal building Thursday afternoon, said the group Stand Up for Democracy staged the highway demonstration.

Stand Up for Democracy led the effort to get Michigan's previous emergency manager law repealed in a referendum last year.



The state legislature has since passed a new financial emergency law which takes effect later this month. The governor is expected to appoint an emergency manager before that law, which would give the city other options, takes effect.

