WASHINGTON - After more than 500,000 people rallied in over 1,000 communities nationwide during Labor Day weekend, organizers of the 50501 Movement are preparing for two major demonstrations against former President Donald Trump and what they describe as the billionaire takeover of American democracy.
The first is a national march this Saturday in Washington, D.C., followed by a second coordinated day of action, “No Kings,” scheduled for Oct. 18. Both events are being organized with the backing of a coalition that includes labor unions, civil rights groups, and grassroots organizations.
“With over 1,000 events across the nation this past weekend, we showed that we can do what Trump can't: show up for workers and for workers’ rights,” said Gloriann Sahay, chair of Political Revolution and a 50501 national partner.
March on Washington
The “We Are All DC” march is set to begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Malcolm X (Meridian Hill) Park in Washington and end at approximately 4 p.m. Organizers say the demonstration will highlight opposition to the National Guard presence in the capital and broader concerns about authoritarianism.
“The National Guard in DC is a fascist circus of performative brute force that is meant to terrify the people,” said Sarah Parker, executive director of Voices of Florida and a 50501 partner. “But we are not afraid. We are mobilizing with local grassroots organizers and with the communities that are the most targeted, most impacted, and most ignored.”
National Day of Action
Organizers are also planning a second nationwide protest on Oct. 18. The “No Kings” day of action is expected to bring demonstrations to cities large and small across the country. The movement says the focus will be nonviolent protest, civil disobedience, and opposition to authoritarianism.
“We the people of the United States of America will not kneel at the foot of a mad king’s throne,” said 50501 press coordinator Hunter Dunn. “Fascism is the name of the plague slowly destroying this country.”
Groups organizing the national protests include the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Federation of Teachers, Common Defense, Indivisible, League of Conservation Voters, MoveOn, National Nurses United, Public Citizen, SEIU, and United We Dream, among others. A full list of partners is available at nokings.org/partners.
Urbana protest draws thousands
Champaign-Urbana has already seen its first “No Kings” rally. On a Sunday earlier this year, more than 3,000 people gathered in downtown Urbana to protest Trump’s policies and what they called the rise of authoritarianism in the United States. The demonstration was part of a coordinated wave of more than 2,000 events nationwide.
The rally began outside the Champaign County Courthouse and stretched down Main Street, where participants carried flags and signs opposing Trump and calling for democracy and civil rights protections. Organizers included the Party for Socialism and Liberation of Central Illinois, the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, the 50501 Movement of Illinois, and the Mahomet Persisterhood.
Similar demonstrations were held in cities such as New York and Chicago, as well as smaller communities across Illinois including Bloomington, Peoria, and Macomb.
