Thousands gathered in cities nationwide on Saturday to voice their dissent against recent actions taken by President Donald Trump.
The demonstrations, referred to as “50501” for “50 protests, 50 states, one movement,” were strategically planned to align with the 250th anniversary of the commencement of the American Revolutionary War.
Protesters gathered outside the White House, Tesla dealerships, and in the heart of numerous cities, voicing various grievances. There has been a significant outcry for the reinstatement of Kilmar Ábrego García, who was erroneously deported to El Salvador.
Political protests are on the rise in the United States, with the “Hands Off” demonstrations in early April attracting tens of thousands of participants in cities nationwide.
Recent polling data from Gallup indicate that 45% of voters approved of Trump’s performance in the first quarter of his current term. This figure surpasses the 41% approval rating recorded during the corresponding period of his first administration.
However, this figure remains below the average first-quarter approval rating of 60% for all presidents elected from 1952 to 2020.
Protests on Saturday focused on various actions taken by the Trump administration, particularly those related to the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), which aims to reduce government jobs and spending in the United States. Additionally, demonstrators expressed their discontent over the administration’s refusal to facilitate the return of Ábrego García, a citizen of El Salvador.
Jihad Elgendy expressed to CNN his reasons for participating in the protest outside the White House, highlighting his opposition to the deportation of Ábrego García. He asserts that Trump “could easily pressure El Salvador to bring him back.”
Reports indicate the protests were largely peaceful; however, Democratic Representative Suhas Subramanyam shared a video on X showing a man with a Trump sign aggressively pushing through the crowd to confront him.
Numerous protesters brandished signs proclaiming “No Kings,” marking the anniversary of the nation’s uprising against British domination.
Massachusetts marked the anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord and the legendary midnight ride of Paul Revere. Attendees displayed comparable signs in a show of unity and remembrance. A demonstration in Boston on Saturday drew attention to the 50501 movement.
“This is a very perilous time in America for liberty,” Thomas Bassford stated during an interview with the Associated Press in Boston, where he was accompanied by his partner, daughter, and two grandsons. ” I aimed for the boys to understand the historical roots of this nation and the reality that the struggle for freedom is sometimes necessary.”
Recent trends indicate a decline in Trump’s popularity, particularly regarding perceptions of the economy. As reported by Gallup, his approval rating stood at 47% upon assuming office in January.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that his approval rating has fallen to 43%, down from 47% on Inauguration Day. The poll also reveals that just 37% of respondents approve of his economic performance, a decline from the 42% approval rating recorded at the time of his inauguration.
Earlier this month, many Americans came together for what has been described as the largest nationwide demonstration of dissent since Trump’s return to the White House.
The protests, surpassing those held on Saturday, took place across 1,200 locations in all 50 states of the United States.
