President’s Day Protests
3 min read
Nationwide protests continued on President’s Day amid the Trump administration’s flurry of executive orders and Attorney General memos. These orders attempt to change federal policies, procedures, and laws. These include declaring a national emergency at the southern border and cracking down on alleged undocumented immigrants by redefining and increasing the use of capital punishment surrounding alleged involvement in capital crimes.
Compilation of clips from 50 states; @JustChris
The “50 states, 50 protests, 1 day,” or 50501, is a decentralized social justice movement born from significant social media outcry against the injustices brought against the American people. More than 80 protests gathered across the U.S. on Monday, February 17th. While not all protests were organized by 50501, thousands of people rallied to ensure their voices were heard, both by the government and other citizens. Their message was clear: these unconstitutional orders and hostile government takeover will not stand.
Despite the polar vortex that swept the Midwest and an attempt to cancel the protest in Lansing, Michigan, people bundled up against the frigid temps and continued to show their disapproval of the current administration's decisions.
"(It's) about damn time that we showed up, stood up and took our government back," said Abdul El-Sayed in a speech at the Lansing Capitol Building. As director of Michigan’s Wayne County Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services, he expressed deep concern about the freezing of federal funds for social wellness programs like mental health services and WIC. Also in attendance was State Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield who made a speech about protecting LGBTQ+ rights.
Michigan Rep Laurie P (D-Livonia) gave a speech in which she announced that she underwent a sterilization procedure to guarantee she “would never have to navigate a pregnancy in Donald Trump’s America… I refuse to let my body be treated as currency by an administration that only sees value in my ability to procreate.” She continued on to say it was time that political leaders “at all levels stop pretending that this is politics as usual. It is beyond time that all elected officials force the issue instead of preemptively capitulating.”
Washington Square Park, New York City on 2/17 for “Not My President’s Day”; @NoVoiceUnheard
“The protests were covered by every major media outlet, showing the world that the American working class will not sit idly by as plutocrats rip apart their democratic institutions and civil liberties while undermining the rule of law,” 50501 said regarding the “No Kings Day” protests.
Press liaison Sydney Wilson revealed to NPR the date of the protest was “a nice little punch,” considering Presidents’ Day typically celebrates the past and current leaders of the United States. Reuters published a video showcasing the thousands of protesters gathered in Washington D.C.
Phoenix protest organizer December Amber wanted to keep the protest civil and stepped between a protest attendee and a Capitol building security guard. “We’re trying to make sure everything stays civil and stays respectable because again, we’re here to make a statement not be the statement,” she said.
Raleigh, NC: Trix/@cultoftheclitoris
How to Get Involved
BuildtheResistance.org, which declared itself “a call to action” instead of an organization, has helpful pages on its website. One of these pages, "Resist”, details its protests and other calls for action, and “Build” shares tools and training in effective resistance.
Political Revolution, a political action committee concentrating on “ advanc[ing] politics in America through progressive grassroots activism,” has an ever-growing list of protests happening around the country.
Third Act, an organization of people over 60 years old dedicated to improving the world using generational knowledge and power, has a list of at least 30 volunteer groups across the US.
The People's Union, “a movement of people, unionizing to take back control of our economy, government and future of our country,” is called for a “24 Hour Economic Blackout” on February 28, which includes non-essential shopping and travel from midnight on the 27th until midnight the 28th.
The Activism Network is a group of likeminded individuals with the goal of “ending needless suffering and uplifting every individual by addressing urgent crises, systemic issues, and promoting human rights, dignity, and equity for all.”
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