 "What is the ‘#50501’ movement that has led to protests across the US?")
From US President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown to the forced relocation of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, all of his early actions have led to debates across the world.
Now, protesters across all 50 states in the US are taking part in the 50501 Movement.
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This movement is also referred to as “50 states, 50 protests, one day.”
It has gained massive attention through social media and grassroots mobilisation.
What is it? Why is it important? And what more do we know about the upcoming protests?
Let’s take a look:
What is 50501?
Protesters in Philadelphia and at state capitols across California, Minnesota, Michigan, Texas, Wisconsin, Indiana, and other states waved signs condemning Donald Trump, billionaire Elon Musk, who leads Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and Project 2025, a hard-right agenda for American governance and society.
These protests were part of a movement organised online under the hashtags #buildtheresistance and #50501, which represent 50 protests across 50 states on a single day.
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Various websites and social media accounts called for action, promoting messages like “reject fascism” and “defend our democracy.”
This movement is a grassroots initiative mobilising mass protests against Trump’s policies. The organisers, including moderators of the 50501 movement, also collaborated with Political Revolution, a PAC and volunteer-based activist group that emerged following Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign.
In a joint press release, the 50501 Movement and Political Revolution called for the removal or resignation of Trump, investigations into his appointees, including Elon Musk, repeal of “oppressive” executive orders, and the restoration of frameworks for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Outside the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, a crowd of hundreds gathered despite freezing temperatures.
Catie Miglietti from Ann Arbor said that Musk’s access to Treasury Department data was concerning. She held a sign depicting Musk controlling Trump with a raised arm, pointing to Musk’s gesture during a January speech, which some have interpreted as a Nazi salute.
“If we don’t stop it and get Congress to act, it’s an attack on democracy,” Miglietti told AP.
‘DOGE is not legit’
Protests in several cities have intensified criticism of Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency.
“DOGE is not legit,” read one sign on the steps of the state Capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri, where dozens of protesters gathered.
“Why does Elon have your Social Security info???”
Notably, the members of Congress have also raised concerns that DOGE’s involvement with the US government payment system could lead to security risks or missed payments for programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
A Treasury Department official stated that a tech executive working with DOGE will only have “read-only access.”
Why the ‘50501 movement’ matters
In the first few weeks of his new term, Trump has signed a series of executive orders covering everything from trade and immigration to climate change. As Democrats begin to raise their voices in opposition to Trump’s agenda, protests have grown in number.
A post on the 50501 subreddit claimed that the movement has evolved in less than two weeks, attracting 72,000 participants and planning 67 protests across 40 states.
“Our goal is to unite the American people against our common enemy: the Trump administration, anyone involved in dismantling our democracy, and anyone who wishes to divide us by our differences instead of unite us by what makes us American,” the joint press release from the 50501 movement and Political Revolution states.
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How did the movement begin?
The origins of the 50501 movement can be traced back to grassroots activists who first mobilised in response to Trump’s executive orders.
Discussions about a nationwide protest began circulating on social media in late 2024, with activists expressing concerns over issues like immigration policies, government restructuring, and civil liberties, according to Newsweek.
As the movement gained momentum, various progressive groups, local advocacy organisations, and independent activists joined forces to expand its reach.
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Kay Evert, an organiser involved in the movement, told USA Today that the initiative started as an idea posted on Reddit, and several activist organisations stepped in to help consolidate, organise, and promote the protests.
“We’re here trying to keep them going forward,” she said. “This is going to bring up so much… no one can ignore this, right? We want to have that momentum continue on.”
Demonstrators took to the streets in several cities, including downtown Austin, Texas. They assembled in Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park for a march to Georgia’s state Capitol and gathered outside California’s Democratic-controlled Legislature in Sacramento.
In Denver, protests coincided with nearby Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, with an unspecified number of people detained. Protesters in Phoenix chanted “deport Elon” and “no hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.”
In Des Moines, Iowa, protesters entered the state Capitol to counter a registered event by the conservative group Moms for Liberty. The anti-Trump protesters shouted over the speakers in the rotunda for about 15 minutes before law enforcement pushed them outside, removing four demonstrators in handcuffs.
In Alabama, several hundred people gathered outside the Statehouse to protest actions targeting LGBTQ+ individuals.
Evert added that protests are also focused on Project 2025, the conservative agenda that re-entered the public conversation as Democrats condemned several early actions by the Trump administration.
With inputs from agencies
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