Crowds gather in front of the California Capitol Building during the “50 States 50 Protests 1 Day” protest against Project 2025 and the policies of President Donald Trump in Sacramento, Calif. on Feb. 5.
Fred Greaves/AFP via Getty Images
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Fred Greaves/AFP via Getty Images
Protests are scheduled to occur in numerous major cities throughout the U.S. on Presidents Day, according to activist groups.
These events are being coordinated by the 50501 Movement, which signifies “50 protests. 50 states. 1 movement.” The protests are a reaction to what organizers term “the anti-democratic and illegal actions of the Trump administration.” This will be the second nationwide demonstration by the group, following an event held on February 5.
The protests are in response to a series of executive orders issued by President Trump, including initiatives spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk, which have faced criticism due to their intentions of reducing the federal government’s influence.
Organizers such as Sydney Wilson — a local organizer in Pittsburgh and national press liaison for 50501— have informed NPR that choosing Presidents Day for the protests is significant.
“We are protesting because we are increasingly worried about our president’s actions,” Wilson states. “We thought it was a timely way to express our concerns.”
Here’s what to know about the 50501 Movement and the upcoming protests on Presidents Day.
It all began on Reddit
The initiative for a day of protest across every state was born on Reddit, introduced by a user named Evolved_Fungi in late January. The idea rapidly gained momentum across various social media platforms, according to the organizers.
The first nationwide protest organized by 50501 occurred on February 5. Although it did not attract the hundreds of thousands of participants seen on January 21, 2017 — the day following Trump’s inauguration — many people participated across multiple cities and state capitals, including locations in Connecticut, Colorado, and Hawaii. The organization estimates close to 80 protests occurred in 88 cities.
During these protests, individuals called for Trump’s impeachment, investigations into Elon Musk — currently heading the Department of Government Efficiency — and the reinstatement of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives that have been overturned via executive orders.
For the forthcoming protests, set for Monday at state Capitols and in Washington, D.C., Wilson anticipates a turnout that could match or exceed the previous event. Their demands remain consistent.
“We continue to urgently call for Elon Musk’s removal. We are deeply troubled by the access he possesses as a non-government official,” asserts Wilson. “Additionally, we wish to see stronger anti-discrimination policies enacted.”
The group is also pushing for an examination of Trump’s presidential appointments, particularly those linked to Project 2025, including Russell Vought, who is largely responsible for the conservative agenda.
Wilson mentions that the 50501 Movement intends to organize further protests in the future.
Who backs 50501?
People protest against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk outside the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on Feb.5.
Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images
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Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images
The protests are being organized in collaboration with Political Revolution, a group established in 2016 following Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign. This organization consists of volunteers and leaders who have actively supported movements such as Black Lives Matter, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and disability rights.
The group asserts that it is not aligned with any political party, describing Monday’s event as a “call to action.”
“The current administration has made it clear that it prioritizes profit over people. As a united group, we refuse to passively allow them to undermine the dignity of our communities,” the organization remarked in a statement. “We are not merely statistics or consumers. We are the People. We reject fascism. We reject the oligarchy. We reject the notion that any individual’s worth is less than another’s.”
The protests and the 50501 movement have received considerable support on social media platforms, with over 102,000 followers on their Reddit page and upwards of 600,000 on Discord.
Moreover, Smart Girls, an organization co-founded by comedian and actress Amy Poehler and producer Meredith Walker, has endorsed the impending protests.
Local and state Democratic lawmakers have also shown their support for the protests. During the protests on February 5, several Michigan House Democrats joined the demonstrators at the state Capitol.
NPR’s Liz Baker contributed to this report.
