April 19 (UPI) — Thousands of people across more than 700 locations in the United States demonstrated against President Donald Trump on Saturday, protesting his administration’s policies during the second “day of action” organized by the 50501 movement.
Video on social media showed demonstrations in several U.S. cities Saturday, all taking place in different styles.
In Washington, protesters repeatedly shouted “shame!” in front of the White House where Trump is staying this weekend.
Thousands more marched from the Washington Monument, The New York Times reported. Some waved upside-down American flags along the eight-lane Constitution Avenue, chanting “Bring Kilmar home.” They were referring to Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador without due process.
In Midtown Manhattan, protesters stretched along 15 blocks on Madison Avenue and in Concord, Mass., there was a commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution, the latter of which was not part of the organized protests.
“”This celebration is about us getting out from under the King of England’s authoritarian rule,” Conan Walter, 65, told The New York Times. “That rule is trying to make a comeback today, and it’s important that people step up against that and meet the challenge.”
A demonstration also took place in West Palm Beach near where Trump usually spends weekends at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
Farther south in Miami, which has a large Hispanic population, protesters turned out in downtown.
“In all 50 states, local communities are taking action in their own way. Some are rallying or marching in the streets. Others are hosting food drives, teach-ins, mutual aid pop-ups, or voter registration events. Wherever and however people show up April 19, one thing is clear: This movement is growing — and it belongs to all of us,” reads a description on the 50501 website about the national day of action.
The group previously organized a mass “Hands Off” demonstration on April 5 for what it calls “anti-democratic and illegal actions of the Trump administration.”
The 50501 movement says its members are opposed to Trump’s approach to the economy and border, as well as what it sees as circumvention of U.S. laws to enact those policies. That includes appointing billionaire Elon Musk to head up the Department of Government Efficiency, which has tried to slash tens of thousands of federal jobs.
Protesters also rallied outside the United States.
The group Democrats Abroad posted video of a demonstration in Milan on Saturday, which also marks 250 years since the start of the Revolutionary War, with the first gunshots fired in Massachusetts in 1775.
Separate demonstrations also took place Saturday aimed at Evon Musk-owned EV maker Tesla.
Another nationwide protest, spearheaded by the 50501 movement, is planned for May 1.
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