On Feb. 17, the U.S. witnessed a nationwide wave of “Not My President’s Day” protests organized by the 50501 Movement, an umbrella group of activist organizations. The grassroots campaign, whose name stands for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement,” mobilized thousands of Americans to voice their opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies and the increasing influence of billionaire Elon Musk in government affairs.
Despite frigid temperatures and challenging weather conditions, protesters gathered across the country in cities like Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Boston, Denver and Miami. In the nation’s capital, demonstrators converged on the Capitol and Lafayette Park, chanting slogans like “No kings on Presidents Day” and demanding government accountability.
The protests were sparked by recent executive actions signed by Trump and controversial initiatives associated with Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Demonstrators expressed concerns about mass deportations, budget cuts and what they perceive as a threat to democratic institutions.
Potus Black, an organizer of the D.C. chapter of the 50501 Movement, urged protesters to “uphold the Constitution” and reminded elected officials that they serve the people. The movement, which originated on Reddit and quickly gained traction through social media, considers this their second nationwide campaign following a similar event on Feb. 5.
The 50501 Movement partnered with Political Revolution, a group initially formed to support Bernie Sanders’ 2016 campaign, to organize the day of action. Their key demands included the impeachment and removal of President Trump, an investigation into Musk’s role in government, and the restoration of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
“It’s antidemocratic,” said Jaquie Olkin, one of the protesters. ”Fundamentally anti-constitution and anti-American democracy. It could affect my ability to vote. It’s extremely threatening to women. It’s threatening to any minority, It really seeks to establish a white Christian ethnostate.”
The events highlighted a growing resistance among citizens concerned about executive overreach and non-elected influence in governance. With ongoing discussions about democracy and accountability at the forefront of national dialogue, it remains to be seen how these protests will shape future political actions and policies in America.
