Philadelphia, PA – A movement against the early actions of President Donald Trump’s administration gained momentum on Wednesday as thousands of demonstrators gathered outside a federal courthouse in Philadelphia and at state capitols in Michigan, Texas, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
Protesters voiced their opposition to Trump, billionaire Elon Musk – the head of Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency, and Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for American government and society. Signs with messages like “Democracy is not a spectator sport! Do something,” were held high by demonstrators in Philadelphia.
The protests were part of a larger movement that has been organizing online under hashtags like #buildtheresistance and #50501, symbolizing 50 protests in 50 states on one day. Calls for action to “reject fascism” and “defend our democracy” spread across various social media platforms.
In Lansing, Michigan, about 500 people braved freezing temperatures outside the state Capitol to denounce Trump’s policies on Gaza, transgender rights, and immigration issues. Catie Miglietti expressed concerns over Musk’s access to Treasury Department data, symbolizing the relationship with a sign showing Musk puppeteering Trump in a Nazi salute stance.
Michigan rally organizer Kelsey Brianne, who learned about the protest movement on Sunday, coordinated speakers and safety protocols for the event. She emphasized the importance of taking action and not standing idly by during these critical times.
Trump has issued a series of executive orders within the first weeks of his new administration, sparking opposition from Democrats and prompting protests across the country. In Southern California, thousands marched against Trump’s plan for large-scale deportations, with protests shutting down a major freeway in downtown Los Angeles for hours.