Related Articles
Protesters are gathering across the country as part of the grassroots 50501 movement’s “Day of Action” on Saturday in opposition to Donald Trump’s administration. More than 700 actions were expected to take place, focused on issues including the environment, deportations, and the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
The organization originated from a Reddit meme. Its name stands for 50 states, 50 protests, 1 day. An estimated 5 million came out for the organization’s “Hands Off” rallies globally on April 5.
“We, the American people, have banded together in the interest of a common goal; to end executive overreach and reject the authoritarian actions of the Trump Administration. We are not paid, or coerced into action. We are driven to act out of our own sense of what is right: decency, democracy, and civil liberty for all people,” the movement writes on its website.
“The 50501 movement has called for a National Day of Action, also known as a National Day of Community Action, not a National Day of Protest,” Hunter Dunn, national press coordinator for the organization, told Newsweek. “There are plenty of demonstrations happening around the country as part of the day of action, but the primary focus of the day of action is speaking to the needs of your community.”
He said that this action could mean a mutual aid drive in Southern California for people affected by wildfires. In New York City, it could mean a demonstration against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s deportations.
“The goal here is community impact, not attendee numbers,” he said.
Protesters gathered near the White House to demand that Kilmar Abrego Garcia be brought back to the U.S. The Maryland man was illegally deported to El Salvador and remains there despite a Supreme Court order to bring him back.
A search for affiliated events yields more than 750 results. 50501 Michigan is planning a “March for Mother Nature” where attendees hold clean ups in local areas. In Lafayette, Louisiana, organizers are holding a “Good Trouble March.” In Tampa, Florida, activists gathered to protest the deportation of two Venezuelan immigrants to a mega-prison in El Salvador.
In New York City, people organized in front of the New York Public Library. Someone had drawn “WE THE PEOPLE” in chalk in the street.
Other areas are holding “No Kings” protests to mark the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. In Concord, Massachusetts, Conan Walter held a sign that said, “Stop fascism now.”
“This celebration is about us getting out from under the King of England’s authoritarian rule,” Walter told The New York Times. “That rule is trying to make a comeback today, and it’s important that people step up against that and meet the challenge.”
