The 50501 movement organized major protests in February 2025. Protests continued into March and April.
Protests by region
Midwestern U.S.
East North Central states
On February 5, a few hundred protesters gathered in the rain outside Illinois's capitol building, in Springfield. Among the chants were the phrases "no Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA" and "dump Trump, deport Elon". Protesters held U.S. flags, Mexican flags, Puerto Rican flags, transgender flags, and signs such as "Protect Our Democracy, Speak Truth to Power", "Your Voice Matters", and "Trans Lives Matter". One Instagram post for the event described it as a "Protest for Freedom of Speech, Racial Equality, Women's Rights, LGBTQ+ Rights, Public Health and Safety, Gun Violence, Climate Change, Wealth Equality". Hundreds of protesters rallied in Chicago outside Federal Plaza, with the protestors eventually marching to Trump International Hotel and Tower.
On February 5, somewhere between 200 and 400 protestors gathered at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis in opposition to President Donald Trump's recent policies. Demonstrators marched in favor of democracy, government transparency, and equal rights and against Project 2025, ICE overreach, anti-immigration sentiment, and LGBTQ discrimination. Protesters chanted "Do you hear us now?" and "Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Donald Trump has got to go!".
On February 5, hundreds of people came to a protest at Michigan's state capitol building in Lansing. State senator Jeremy Moss spoke at the protest, talking about protecting LGBTQ rights. Director of Wayne County Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services, Abdul El-Sayed also spoke at the protest, at one point stating, "(It's) about damn time that we showed up, stood up and took our government back". On February 5, protesters gathered at the corner of Eastlawn Drive and South Saginaw Road, in Midland.
On February 5, several hundred protesters gathered outside the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison for more than five hours despite sub-freezing temperatures. Protesters included pro-LGBTQ demonstrators, members of the John Brown Gun Club, pro-immigrant rights' causes and other progressive groups. The same day, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, a Madison-area Democrat, introduced the so-called "ELON MUSK Act", an anti-fraud measure that "would direct Federal Agencies to terminate any contracts held by a Special Government Employee", such as billionaire Elon Musk. Musk's influence under the Trump administration, as well as Project 2025, were targets of 50501 protestor ire. Smaller demonstrations occurred throughout the state, including in Wausau.
Ohio
On February 5, at least 100 protesters demonstrated outside of the Ohio Statehouse and later marched down North High Street, an event that was organized by the 50501 movement. Protesters shouted slogans like "Donald Trump has got to go", and "This is what democracy looks like", while expressing discontent with executive orders set in motion by Trump.
On February 17, a larger protest took place in downtown Columbus. The protest saw attendance in excess of 400 demonstrators; Demonstrators waved flags and held signs inscribed with anti-Trump and anti-Musk slogans. The protest went on for several hours, with protesters eventually marching through the streets of Columbus. In conjunction with protests in Columbus, demonstrators conducted a protest outside the Hamilton County Courthouse that led to a march ending at the Cincinnati City Hall. The protests in Cincinnati had the same goals as the Columbus protest, opposing executive orders signed by Trump and general discontent with Elon Musk.
West North Central states
On February 5, around 200 protesters gathered outside the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka. Protesters held U.S. flags, Ukrainian flags, and signs such as "Country Over Party", "WTF!", and "Impeach Musk". One organizer of the Kansas protest said "The 50501 is to protest a lot of the Project 2025 stuff, it's to protest Musk doing what he's doing, the trans bills that are going on, the LGBTQ issues, all of the issues of Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, everything".
On February 5, protesters gathered in Minnesota's capital, St. Paul. Protesters advocated for immigrant rights, government accountability, and were in opposition to Project 2025. One protester held a sign that said, "Harris Walz Were Right". On February 5, around 40 to 50 protesters gathered at the corner of Superior Street and Lake Avenue, in Duluth.
On February 5, over 100 protesters gathered at the steps of Missouri's capital, in Jefferson City. Representative Ray Reedaddressed the protesters, stating, “People are not hard to reach, but they feel hardly reached by their government, so that’s why I am here... We’re not going back".
On February 5, hundreds of protesters gathered outside Nebraska's state capitol, in Lincoln, while holding signs such as "Elon Stole My SSN", "Stop the Steal", and "Stop 2025". Promotional posters for the event had calls for action against "Project 2025" and "Trump's extremist policies".
On February 5, a protest was held outside of the Federal Post Office in Fargo, North Dakota. Protesters denounced Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship in the United States and advocated for immigrant rights and transgender rights. Around two dozen protesters gathered outside North Dakota's capital, protesting while the temperatures were near zero.
On February 5, approximately 50 protesters gathered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the Sioux Falls United States Courthouse. Protesters in Rapid City, South Dakota gathered outside of Senator Mike Rounds' office. Protesters denounced Project 2025 and Elon Musk.
Iowa On February 5, hundreds of protestors gathered on the Iowa Capitol's steps, chanting "never again" and denouncing President Donald Trump's anti-DEI policies and plans for mass deportations. The protestors also interrupted a Moms for Liberty event in the Capitol's rotunda. 4 protesters were escorted out of the building by Iowa State Patrol Officers. Iowa State Troopers arrested 3 protesters who were identified as Heaven Chamberlain, Heather Ryan, and Bryan Guyer.
On February 17, over 150 protestors gathered at the Capitol of Iowa and called for the impeachment of Trump and the dismantling of the federal version of DOGE, as well as the state version of it that Governor Kim Reynolds created using an executive order. "We will not be silent" and "Rise and resist" were chanted by the protestors.
On February 27, 300 protesters from across the state gathered on the Iowa Capitol building's southern step. 1 protester, Ryan Maher, a 38 year old from Waukee, was arrested by Iowa State Troopers after "interference with official acts" according to a Polk County Inmate listing.
Northeastern U.S.
Middle Atlantic states
On February 5, protesters gathered at the New Jersey statehouse, in Trenton. Protests similar to 50501 happened at Senator Cory Bookers's and Andy Kim's offices in Newark and Jersey City respectively, with both of them being organized by Indivisible.
On February 5, approximately 250 protesters at East Capitol Park near the capital in Albany. The protest was attended by several state lawmakers, many who were at the state capital for a hearing on mental health funding. State Senator Patricia Fahy addressed the crowd, stating, "Every rule book that we know of is being ripped up and ignored... We cannot normalize any of this." On February 5, hundreds of protesters gathered outside Senator Charles Schumer's office in Manhattan, protesting Trump, Elon Musk, the firing of thousands of USAID employees, Project 2025 and DOGE.
On February 5, protesters gathered outside Pennsylvania's capitol building, in Harrisburg. Protesters held a banner that said "Impeach 47", rainbow banners, signs that call for Donald Trump's impeachment, and American flags. One volunteer gave out snacks and drinks. On February 5, protesters gathered outside the William S. Moorehead Federal Building in Pittsburgh. Protesters gathered at 20th and Market streets in Philadelphia, before marching to the city hall, and then to old city (with short stops at the offices of the Senators Dave McCormick and John Fetterman). There were an estimated 200 protesters when the protest was at the city hall.
New England states On February 5, around 200 protesters gathered at Connecticut's state capitol building, in Hartford. Protesters held signs such as "Fight Fascism", "Love Wins! Always!", and "Remove Musk". On February 17, protesters gathered for the "No Kings on Presidents Day" protests in Hartford, Norwalk, and New London. The protest in New London happened outside a local courthouse.
Hundreds protested actions by the Trump administration outside Maine's state house, in Augusta, on February 17.
Massachusetts On February 5, hundreds of demonstrators walked from the Boston Common to the John F. Kennedy Federal Building and back to the steps of the Massachusetts State House. Protesters chanted the phrase "Stop the Coup". Events on February 17 that were part of the "No Kings on Presidents Day" theme drew protesters to the State House and Boston City Hall. Some protesters wore Revolutionary War style clothing. Other cities in Massachusetts held events as well, such as Springfield and Falmouth among others. On April 5, nearly 100,000 people took to the streets of Boston to participate in the 50501 movement's Hands Off protests.
New Hampshire On February 5, more than 200 protestors gathered in New Hampshire's state house, in Concord. Chanting phrases such as "Do Your Job". Protesters also held signs such as "Long Live Democracy, Reject Fascism", "It's a Coup", and "Hands off OUR Treasury, fELON".
Rhode Island On February 5, several hundred protesters gathered outside the Rhode Island statehouse, in Providence. Protesters chanted the phrases Hey hey, ho, ho, Elon Musk has got to go", "We do not consent", and the word "fight".
Vermont On February 5, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier, Vermont, advocating for LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, and the removal of Elon Musk. After protesting at the Statehouse, protesters marched down State Street. The protest was the largest protest in Vermont since the inauguration of Donald Trump.
Southern U.S.
East South Central states
On February 5, more than 200 protesters gathered outside Alabama's Statehouse in Montgomery, calling for LGBTQ+protections. Protesters were also fighting against the Alabama House bill, "What is a Woman" (also known as "Sex-based terms, defined; vital statistics, report sex as male or female at birth required, legislative policy regarding sex and gender identity established"). Protesters held original and variations of U.S., Transgender, and LGBTQ+ flags. Several state representatives came to speak to protesters, including Neil Rafferty, Phillip Ensler, and Marilyn Lands. State Representative Marilyn Lands said "Thank you for bringing the love here... Think with love. I want that to guide everything I do. I believe there is a divine spark within each of us."
On February 5, more than 200 people gathered in Kentucky's capital, Frankfort to protest actions by Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Protesters held signs such as "Protect our Rights".
On February 5, approximately 50 protesters gathered outside the southern entrance of the Mississippi capital, in Jackson. Protesters chanted the phrases "Hey hey, ho ho, autocracy has got to go" and "Trump lies; Democracy dies" and held signs such as "No One Voted for Elon", "Our Country, Our Choice", and "DEI made America Great". Some protesters wore masks to conceal their identities. The protest was attended by a reverend.