‘Not My Presidents Day’ protests erupt across the country

A Nationwide Cry for Resistance: The "Not My Presidents Day" Protests

On Presidents Day, February 20, 2023, thousands of Americans across the country took to the streets to voice their opposition to President Donald Trump and his administration. The protests, dubbed "Not My Presidents Day" or "No Kings Day," were organized by the 50501 Movement, a coalition of activists united against what they describe as Trump’s "executive overreach." From Austin, Texas, to Orlando, Florida, and from Boston to Phoenix, protesters gathered in cities nationwide, carrying handmade signs, singing resistance songs, and chanting slogans of defiance. In Washington, D.C., more than a thousand individuals converged on the Capitol Reflecting Pool to make their voices heard. The movement, which began with a simple Reddit post, has grown into a powerful force, mobilizing over 20,000 people across the country to resist Trump’s policies and Project 2025, a controversial initiative many fear could undermine democratic norms and civil liberties.

A Fight for Democracy and Liberties

At the heart of the protests is a deep-seated fear of losing personal freedoms and a rejection of what demonstrators describe as authoritarian tendencies in the Trump administration. Protesters in Washington, D.C., carried signs that read "Impeach Elon Musk" and "Resist DOGE," referencing the Department of Government Efficiency, which critics argue is a tool for consolidating power. Jennifer, a protester in the nation’s capital, summed up the sentiment of many: "I’m here to protest the president, Elon Musk, and all the executive orders. He is not our president. Everything he’s done is a destruction of this country. He only cares about himself and the pockets of his cronies. He’s not here to help working Americans. Everything he’s doing is mass destruction. He is a weapon of mass destruction." For Jennifer and others, the protest was not just about Trump but about what they see as a broader assault on democracy and the rights of marginalized communities.

Standing Up for the Marginalized

Among the protesters were educators, parents, and advocates who expressed concern over the administration’s impact on vulnerable populations. Mary Hart, an educator from Washington, D.C., shared her fears for her immigrant and transgender students, who she believes are being targeted by the administration. "I’m scared for my country," Hart said. "I just had to show up and be part of the resistance. My students are being dehumanized and bullied by people emboldened by this government. They come to school scared, interrupting their learning. It’s not right." Jerome Bobowski, a father from Detroit, echoed similar sentiments, leading chants of "Where is Congress?" at the rally. "My kids are power women, and they deserve the same rights as my wife," Bobowski said. "We want justice. We don’t want a country without laws. That’s why people come here—because we have rules. We are not kings." For many, the protest was a call to action to protect the rights of their loved ones and to stand up for justice in the face of what they see as growing authoritarianism.

The Rise of the 50501 Movement

The protests were organized by the 50501 Movement, a decentralized coalition of activists that emerged from a Reddit post just weeks earlier. The name "50501" reflects the movement’s ambitious goal: 50 protests in 50 states on a single day. Sarah, a national core member of the movement and executive director of Voices of Florida, explained that the movement gained momentum quickly, with the hashtags #buildtheresistance and #50501 spreading rapidly on social media. "All of this happened very organically and very fast," Sarah told Fox News Digital. "I think people didn’t know where to put their feelings. They were shell-shocked, and when that Reddit post happened, it gave people the power to make their voices heard." The movement’s decentralized approach allows individual groups and cities to articulate their own missions, with a broad focus on pushing back against Project 2025 and reclaiming power for the people.

Birthing a New Era of Resistance

The 50501 Movement represents a new wave of grassroots activism, born out of frustration and fear over the direction of the country. Unlike traditional political movements, 50501 has no clear leader and is not affiliated with any political party. At the Washington, D.C., protest, organizers emphasized the importance of peaceful resistance and discouraged civil disobedience. Yet, the movement’s decentralized nature has allowed it to tap into a wide range of concerns, from reproductive and immigrant rights to queer rights and economic justice. Sarah, who also leads Voices of Florida, a group focused on these issues, emphasized that the movement is about giving power back to the people. "It’s about pushing back against Project 2025 and ensuring that the voices of ordinary Americans are heard," she said. For many participants, the protests were not just about opposing Trump but about reclaiming a sense of agency and hope in the face of what they see as a rapidly changing—and increasingly undemocratic—political landscape.

The Broader Context of Resistance

The "Not My Presidents Day" protests are part of a larger narrative of resistance that has defined much of Trump’s presidency. From the Women’s Marches to the ongoing rallies against Project 2025, millions of Americans have taken to the streets to voice their opposition to policies they believe threaten the country’s democratic foundations. While the White House has dismissed the protests, framing Trump as a "leader for all Americans" who is delivering on his campaign promises, the demonstrators see themselves as defenders of democracy and civil liberties. As the 50501 Movement continues to grow, it remains to be seen how effective this new wave of activism will be in shaping the political landscape. One thing is clear, however: the "Not My Presidents Day" protests mark a turning point in the resistance movement, as ordinary citizens take extraordinary steps to make their voices heard and to fight for the future of their country.