A movement against President Donald Trump’s administration’s early acts is gaining traction online, with plans for protests around the United States on Wednesday.
The initiative is organized around the hashtags #buildtheresistance and #50501, which stand for 50 protests, 50 states, and one day. Many of the protests are scheduled for state capitols, with some taking place in other cities.
According to 7News, one of the peaceful protests will take place at noon at the former location of the first state capitol at 1413 Eoff St in Wheeling, West Virginia.
The movement includes several websites and social media pages. Flyers circulating online criticize Project 2025, a hard-right roadmap for American government and society, with phrases like “reject fascism” and “defend our democracy.” In a coffee shop just a block from Michigan’s Capitol, organizers of a planned action on Wednesday packed together tables, putting out poster boards with banners like “No Deportations Ever!” and “Workers Unite!”
Kelsey Brianne, a key organizer of Michigan’s event, described it as a “real grassroots effort.” She learned about the campaign on Sunday night and has been coordinating speakers and safety precautions.
“I got involved because I saw a need and knew what I could do,” Brianne said on Tuesday. “But also I want to look back at this time and say that I did something and I didn’t just sit back.”
In the first few weeks of his new administration, Trump issued a series of executive orders on topics ranging from trade and immigration to climate change. As Democrats begin to speak out against Trump’s plan, protests have begun.
On Sunday, hundreds of people marched in Southern California against Trump’s plan for large-scale deportations, notably in downtown Los Angeles, where protesters shut down a key road for hours.
