Kathmandu: Tens of thousands of Americans rallied across all 50 states on Saturday in a coordinated protest movement dubbed “50501” — symbolizing 50 protests in 50 states with one unified cause. The demonstrations, held on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War, voiced opposition to recent actions by President Donald Trump, including the controversial deportation of Kilmar Ábrego García and cuts to government spending.
Protesters gathered at symbolic locations such as outside the White House, Tesla dealerships, and city centers from Boston to Los Angeles. Chants of “No Kings” and “In America, the Law is King!” echoed through the streets, drawing parallels between current political concerns and the revolution against British rule.
The protest movement, though peaceful overall, did see minor disruptions. Democratic Representative Suhas Subramanyam posted a video on social media platform X, showing a man waving a Trump sign aggressively pushing through demonstrators.
Among the central grievances was the deportation of Kilmar Ábrego García, a man reportedly removed to El Salvador in error. Protesters accused the administration of neglecting responsibility in securing his return. Speaking to CNN, protester Gihad Elgendy said Trump “could easily pressure El Salvador to bring him back” but has failed to act.
The protests also targeted the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), a Trump-led initiative to reduce federal jobs and spending. Outside a Tesla dealership in Florida, demonstrators held placards reading “No Kings No Oligarchs Pay Your Taxes,” highlighting anger toward perceived wealth inequality and government favoritism toward elites.
While Trump’s support remains relatively steady, recent Gallup polling shows his approval at 45% for the first quarter of his new term, slightly above the 41% at the same point in his previous administration. However, that figure still trails behind the historical average of 60% for post-1952 presidents. A Reuters/Ipsos poll echoed a downward trend, placing his overall approval at 43%, with only 37% supporting his economic policies.
Earlier this month, an even larger wave of protests swept the country, with over 1,200 events marking the most significant display of public dissent since Trump’s return to office. While Saturday’s “50501” protests were smaller in scale, they reinforced the persistence of political opposition across the United States.
In Boston, where the Revolutionary War was commemorated with parades and reenactments, demonstrators merged history with protest. “This is a very perilous time in America for liberty,” Thomas Bassford told the Associated Press, attending the march with his family. “I wanted the boys to learn that sometimes we have to fight for freedom.”
The wave of civic unrest underscores growing polarization in American politics and signals a potentially turbulent path forward as Trump’s administration faces rising domestic pushback.
Source: BBC