Nearly 80 Presidents’ Day protests against the current administration occurred last Monday across the nation. From the West Coast to the East Coast, people gathered in major cities including Palo Alto, Denver, Los Angeles, Austin, Philadelphia, Miami, and Washington D.C., to draw attention to a variety of issues.
Protesters raised concerns about topics such as immigration policies, federal worker layoffs and firings, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, LGBTQ rights, and reproductive rights. Signs at the rallies also criticized prominent political figures, including President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, while urging Congress to take further action on these issues.
These rallies, also being called “Not My Presidents Day” and “No Kings on Presidents Day” were organized by the 50501 Movement, which stands for “50 protests. 50 states. 1 movement.” The February 19 demonstrations marked the second major nationwide protest in less than two weeks, following an earlier protest on February 5, which saw over 20,000 participants across the country. The February 5 protests primarily targeted Trump’s policies and the Project 2025 initiative.
“We’re trying to make sure everything stays civil and stays respectable because again, we’re here to make a statement, not be the statement,” said December Archer, one of the organizers of the 50501 Movement. The movement is not affiliated with any political party and operates without a clear leader.
Principal Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields released a statement affirming support for Trump’s leadership. “This Presidents Day, we honor the leadership of President Trump. He received a resounding mandate from the American people and swiftly took action to deliver on his promises of restoring common sense policies, strengthening the economy, and re-establishing America’s dominance on the world stage,” Fields said. “President Trump is a leader for all Americans, and he will continue to prioritize America’s interests in every decision.”
President’s Day was originally intended to celebrate George Washington, the first president, and is still formally designated as Washington’s Birthday by the Office of Personnel Management. However, it has come to encompass the birthdays and lives of all U.S. presidents who have held the office since. With the current critical issues within politics, this year’s President’s Day carried a different meaning for many people.
