What is 50501? What to know about movement sparking protests around the US
Protesters gathered around the U.S. Wednesday in a coordinated effort originating from social media known as the 50501 movement.
"50501 is a call for 50 protests in 50 states on 1 day," reads a website that lists the protests across the country and encourages people to spread its anti-Trump messages online.
Protest organizers describe the push as a "decentralized rapid response to the anti-democratic, destructive, and, in many cases, illegal actions being undertaken by the Trump administration and his plutocrats," the "Build the Resistance" website states.
Kay Evert, an organizer involved in the movement, told USA TODAY the effort started as an idea posted on Reddit and several activist organizations hopped in to help consolidate, organize and promote the protests.
"We're here trying to keep them going forward," she said. "This is going to bring up so much .... no one can ignore this, right? We want to have that momentum continue on."
A post in the 50501 subreddit Wednesday morning claims the movement has evolved in less than two weeks, amassed 72,000 participants, and planned 67 protests across 40 states.
50501 movement partners with Political Revolution
The 50501 moderators also partnered with Political Revolution, a PAC and volunteer-only activist organization founded out of the conclusion of Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign in 2016.
The 50501 movement and Political Revolution said in a joint press release they are calling for the removal or resignation of President Donald Trump, investigations into his administration appointees including Elon Musk, the repeal of "oppressive" executive orders and the restoration of diversity, equity and inclusion frameworks.
Evert said protests are also aimed at Project 2025, the conservative agenda that re-entered the public conversations as Democrats condemned some early Trump administration moves.
"Our goal is to unite the American people against our common enemy: the Trump administration, anyone involved in dismantling our democracy, and anyone who wishes to divide us by our differences instead of unite us by what makes us American," the joint press release states.
Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected], and follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley.