Topline
Demonstrators took to the streets at hundreds of rallies across the United States on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump’s administration on what organization 50501 billed as the National Day of Action, weeks after similar “Hands Off” protests drew millions to the streets.
Anti-Trump protesters gathered in Washington, D.C. on April 19. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty … More
Key Facts
The protests were loosely organized under the 50501 movement, which stands for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement,” and is a decentralized, leaderless grassroots organization made up of various smaller groups that initially grew on Reddit as a call for protests against Trump on Feb. 5.
The 50501 movement’s website says there are hundreds of events planned for April 19 across the United States, with several also planned in Europe, including large rallies in big cities and demonstrations in smaller towns.
Among the biggest demonstrations were a march through Midtown Manhattan in New York and a protest outside the White House in Washington, D.C.
Though the protests appear primarily aimed at Trump, some appeared to also target billionaire and DOGE chief Elon Musk, with a handful of events indicating they will take place outside Tesla dealerships—though the events, some of which say they are part of the Tesla Takedown movement, clarify they are unrelated to a recent spate of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles.
The 50501 movement’s national press coordinator, Hunter Dunn, told NPR Saturday’s events encompassed more than just protests, including food drives in Southern California to aid people still struggling in the aftermath of wildfires and amid the rising cost of goods.
Protesters demonstrated in New York on Saturday. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images)
Protesters gathered outside the White House on Saturday. (Photo by RICHARD PIERRIN/AFP via Getty … More
Protesters gathered against Trump in Miami on Saturday. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Protesters demonstrated against President Donald Trump on Saturday. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty … More
What Are The Protesters Demanding?
The 50501 movement’s website lists four core issues at the heart of their protests, including the “billionaire takeover,” for which the group blames Trump, Musk and their billionaire allies for consolidating power, influencing politicians and silencing people. The group also says the economy is “rigged against the people,” citing low wages and rising costs while billionaires amass wealth. The group is also protesting Trump’s “defiance of the law,” accusing him of defying court rulings and gutting federal agencies. The movement also says freedom is being eroded, citing the deportation of international students and immigrants “without due process,” as well as “attacks on voting rights, reproductive healthcare, workers’ rights, and free elections.”
Key Background
The protests come two weeks after hundreds of protests across the country and world, called the “Hands Off” protests, targeted Trump as the largest protest against his second administration so far. The protests targeted a similar range of issues as Saturday’s demonstrations, and the “Hands Off” protests attracted many high-profile speakers, including Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., who spoke at a Boston rally, and AFL-CIO President Liz Schuler, who spoke at a Washington, D.C. protest. The “Hands Off” protests were backed by many advocacy organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood. Organizers estimated millions of people attended the “Hands Off” rallies.
Further Reading
Anti-Trump ‘Hands Off’ Protests Planned In All 50 States Today: What To Know (Forbes)
Tesla Protests And Vandalism Surge: Justice Department Announces Charges Against Sixth Alleged Vandal (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2025/04/19/protesters-flood-streets-in-hundreds-of-cities-to-rally-against-trump-and-musk/