Nationwide Protests Denounce Trump on Presidents Day
Washington, D.C. – Progressive groups across the United States organized demonstrations on Monday as part of the "Not My Presidents Day" movement, expressing their opposition to President Donald Trump and his policies. The protests, organized by the 50501 Movement, took place in cities from Austin, Texas to Orlando, Florida.
Capitol Gathering
In Washington, D.C., over a thousand demonstrators gathered at the Capitol Reflecting Pool, holding handmade signs, singing songs of resistance, and chanting slogans. "We will not cede ground to fascism quietly. We will fight back against Project 2025, and we will fight for the future of all of our beautiful communities," said Sarah, a 50501 Movement and Voices of Florida organizer.
Protesters’ Concerns
Protesters voiced concerns over Elon Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and the loss of personal liberties. "He is not our president. Everything he’s done is a destruction of this country. He only cares about himself and his cronies. He’s not here to help any of the working Americans. Everything he’s doing is mass destruction," said Jennifer, a protester in Washington, D.C.
Immigrant and Transgender Rights
Mary Hart, an educator, expressed concerns for her immigrant and transgender students, who she believes have been targeted by the administration. "I’m an educator, and I’m scared for my immigrant students. I’m scared for my trans students. I’m scared for my country. I just had to show up and be part of the resistance," Hart said.
Protecting Daughters’ Rights
Jerome Bobowski, a "girl dad" from Detroit, led a "Where is Congress?" chant. "My kids are power women, and they have to have as many rights as my wife, who is a power woman too. We want justice. We don’t want a country without laws. That’s why they all come here. Because we have rules. We are not kings," Bobowski said
White House Response
In response to the protests, the White House emphasized Trump’s commitment to delivering on his campaign promises. "This Presidents Day, we honor the leadership of President Trump. He received a resounding mandate from the American people and swiftly took action to deliver on his promises of restoring common sense policies, strengthening the economy and re-establishing America’s dominance on the world stage. President Trump is a leader for all Americans, and he will continue to prioritize America’s interests in every decision," said principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields.
The 50501 Movement
The 50501 Movement began with a Reddit post and has mobilized over 20,000 people across the country to protest Trump’s policies and Project 2025. "All of this happened very organically and very fast. I think that people didn’t know where to put their feelings. They didn’t know how to move. I think that they were just shell shocked, and when that Reddit post happened, it gave people the power to go make their voices heard," said Sarah.
Decentralized Approach
The 50501 Movement takes a decentralized approach, allowing individual groups and cities to articulate their own missions. "It goes down to what the states and the smaller groups want. We don’t tell people what their demands should be. To sum it up in a broad way, its to push back against Project 2025 and give the power back to the people," said Sarah.
Conclusion
The nationwide "Not My Presidents Day" protests reflect the ongoing concerns and dissent surrounding Trump’s policies and administration. The 50501 Movement, with its decentralized approach, provides a platform for diverse voices to express their opposition and advocate for change.
