Over 5 MILLION People Protested Across All 50 States This Weekend. Did You Attend A Protest?
By: Desmond Price
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WELL…I think it’s safe to say that the mood is very different today than it was a month ago.
Let’s rewind the tape a bit…
Back in February, we sat here together talking about the systematic upheaval of our government by an illegally formed organization DOGE, that’s ran by an un-elected billionaire who cries on Fox News when people make fun of him & refers to the working class as “parasites”, Elon Musk.
There was a palpable feeling of helplessness & confusion in the air, mixed with a sense of desperation, for any sense of direction out of this mess.
Since then, a much needed injection of action has taken place. We’ve seen a flurry of organization around the country:
Economic blackout
Bernie & AOC “fight the oligarchy” rallies
Tesla Takedown protests
Free Palestine protests
Town halls hosted in Republican districts
Elon Musk defeated in Wisconsin
Last weekend’s “Hands Off” protests in all 50 states
This past weekend has definitely been the strongest showing so far & I absolutely LOVED seeing the energy across our country. Here’s a few more details about the events over the weekend ⬇️
Coast-to-coast opposition to upheaval in President Donald Trump's second term took shape Saturday at more than 1,200 events organized by Democratic activists.
Protesters across the United States took to the streets in a series of "Hands Off" demonstrations decrying Trump's border enforcement and deportation policies, as well as mass firings under the Department of Government Efficiency.
In a statement released before the event, organizers said Trump and his billionaire adviser at DOGE, Elon Musk, have created an unnecessary crisis under the belief that "this country belongs to them" exclusively.
"They’re taking everything they can get their hands on—our health care, our data, our jobs, our services—and daring the world to stop them," the organizers said in the statement. "This is a crisis, and the time to act is now."
In Washington, D.C., demand to participate in the protests was strong enough that alternative events were held for those who couldn't get to the National Mall for the main event, organizer Barbara Green told NBC Washington.
Organizers in Chicago estimated tens of thousands of people showed up at Daley Plaza to voice their opposition to Trump's policies.
“They’re trying to dismantle the federal government, undermine our communities, steal from workers and crash the economy," Bob Reiter, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor, said at the event.
Philadelphians showed up by the thousands for protests that culminated with a major crowd outside City Hall.
Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said the day was about standing up for core aspirations — including justice and social progress.
Leaders of Saturday's events suggested they was just the beginning of resistance to Trump's immigration hard line and government shakeout.
"They want us to feel powerless, but we have people power, and people power is the best power," Women's March Executive Director Rachel Carmona said Saturday at the National Mall. "We can’t just outnumber them. We have to outlast them, and we have to out organize them."
Source - NBC News
APRIL 19th
That’s the date of the next round of protests that’s being organized by the group - 50501 Movement. You can find them on Instagram, where they have a link in their bio for more updates about what’s coming next.
What Impact Did The Protests Have?
I’ve seen so many conservatives attempt to pour cold water on these protests over the last couple days by saying - what did your protest even accomplish?
Well, it is a good question - what did the protests accomplish?
Obviously, Trump is still the President, Musk still has illegal access to our Government, Republicans control the 3 Branches & the economy is falling a part…yeah, there’s a lot to be worried about.
Yet, “worry” is not the emotion that clouds my mind today, but rather, something more powerful — Hope.
The coalition of people that came together across the country this weekend was incredibly vast, from folks on the far left, to regretful Trump voters. Millions of people stood in solidarity and demanded change, from a regime that we all feel threatened by.
While the impact of these protests may not be tangible in this given moment, they are creating something incredibly valuable — Momentum.
It’s my sincere hope that these protests will inspire others to join in the next one. It’s my sincere hope that when you join a future protest, you’ll meet some new like-minded folks & further build community. It’s my sincere hope that with this increased community, we will all collectively realize just how much power we do in fact have.
So, what impact did these protests have?
They are catalysts for something bigger…the precursor to change.
They provide the knowledge that we’re not alone in our frustrations. They allow us to meet new members of our community & organize new ways to push back.
Change can only come when the collective stands in solidarity, and demands an end to the status quo. So I say this to you all — Let’s Build Our Collective.
Did you attend a protest this last weekend? Please share your feelings below & any stories you may have ⬇️
At the very bottom of this post, I’m going to share some of my favorite signs I saw from the protests this weekend.
If you can make it to the next round on April 19th, please join one. Let’s show them just how many of us there are.
Until next time,
Desmond
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Sure did in Tampa Bay area! Then spent a couple hours canvassing on Sunday.
Yes I did! In the rain in flooding in Kentucky 🤦♀️ but we still showed up in the Bluegrass!