John Wisely, Elisha Anderson, Kathleen Gray, and Mandi Wright

Detroit Free Press

As Donald Trump prepared this morning to visit a Detroit church in a move to appeal to black voters, the city’s mayor questioned whether Trump was simply using Detroiters as props for an image makeover.

WATCH: Protesters greet Trump at Detroit church

"This is the most phony major party nominee that I’ve seen in my lifetime, and that’s why we’re skeptical," Mayor Mike Duggan said at a news conference with Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield "I feel like I'm watching the next season of The Apprentice."

Duggan, a Democrat, spoke mostly to television cameras and a handful of activists gathered on the north side of Grand River across the street from Greater Faith Ministries International, where Trump is scheduled to visit this morning. Detroit Police have Grand River barricaded for about two blocks in front of the church in northwest Detroit, diverting traffic to other roads.

The department's bomb squad truck was parked nearby and Secret Service officers shooed people off the sidewalks in front of the church and told them they'd have to go elsewhere.

"There's no one hear to protest because they can't get to the church," said Agnes Hitchcock, 70, a lifelong Detroiter who lives within walking distance of the church.

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Duggan said he understands the right to protest and he planned to attend one being held nearby.

"In this country in this day and age, there has to be security for presidential candidates," Duggan said.

Lawrence, D-Southfield, repeatedly asked what she has to lose, referring to an earlier Trump plea to black voters in which he said "what do you have to lose." Lawrence's answer: The future of her grandchild.

"You are not qualified to be president of the United States that includes me as an African-American woman," she said.

Inside, the church was about half full. The crowd was most African-American with a handful others scattered throughout. Two screens positioned at the front of the church showed the theme for the service "Possess the promise."'

"We want to hear your plans for reducing poverty," Duggan said, adding that serious candidates are expected to offer solutions.

Alphonso and Saretta Wallace of West Bloomfield, who were in the church for Trump's appearance, say they have an open mind about his candidacy.

“I would like to see what his economic plans are regarding the African-American community,” Alphonso Wallace said.

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Kim Witten of Detroit of Detroit was also inside the church.

"I understand he’s probably trying to get our votes and If he wants our votes, he has to come to us,” she said. “I’m open to listen. I have my opinions, but I’m willing to listen,”

Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones, interviewed after a protest near Great Faith Ministries earlier this morning, told the Detroit Free Press that she wanted Trump to talk to -- not at -- Detroiters.

"I would like to see Mr. Trump talk to all African Americans, to try to understand what our problems are," she said.

"We want a president who is going to be walking with the people."