Nationwide uprising demands an end to Trump/Musk coup

CHICAGO-Thousands of demonstrators gathered in state capitals, cities, and towns across the country on Feb. 5 to protest the unfolding coup led by Trump, Elon Musk, and other oligarchs, while constituents overwhelmed the phone lines of Congress members at their U.S. Capitol and local offices.

Protesters urged Democratic lawmakers to intensify their opposition to Trump’s illegal usurpation of power, including by “shutting down the Senate” until he ceases his assault on federal agencies and the U.S. Constitution.

The protests, organized under the 50501 banner-50 rallies, 50 states, One Day, and many others not under the 50501 umbrella-spread like wildfire online, including through the #BuildtheResistance hashtag.

Many of the protests were organized in under 48 hours. They reflect the rising outrage and national resistance against Trump and the oligarchs backing him, as well as the latent anti-MAGA majority that is swiftly finding its voice and unifying against mass deportations, the firing of federal workers, attacks on trans individuals and democratic rights.

“We are here to tell Senators Durbin and Duckworth that business as usual is not an option. We have to shut it down!” declared Jason Rieger, a leader of the Indivisible Chicago Alliance. Rieger was speaking at an energetic rally at Federal Plaza, organized by a coalition of groups including Indivisible, Citizen Action, People’s Lobby, Palenque, SEIU, Equality Illinois, and others. Indivisible delivered letters from chapters across Illinois urging the senators to be more vocal against the attack on the U.S. Constitution and democracy.

The rising resistance movement is urging U.S. Senate Democrats to block all of Trump’s cabinet nominees to stop the Trump/Musk coup and lawlessness. Musk is an unelected oligarch taking control of federal agencies at Trump’s behest and deciding which programs and employees to cut, a power he has no right to wield.

Wealth grew by $170 billion since election

Musk contributed nearly $300 million to Trump’s presidential campaign, and by some estimates, his wealth has increased by $170 billion since the election.

Democratic elected officials are stepping up their resistance, joining protests in front of federal agencies and filibustering Trump nominees. Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats wouldn’t agree to any bi-partisan deal to keep the government open past the March 14 deadline unless Trump withdrew his federal spending freeze. Jeffries also issued a 10-point plan to fight the administration.

“I am really scared,” said one protester at a rally in Washington, DC. “We can’t let them repeat history. This is exactly how Hitler started; why can’t everyone see that?”

In Des Moines, Iowa, several dozen protesters sat in the Capitol Rotunda while hundreds marched outside, carrying signs that read, “Musk-hands off our $$$” and “Impeach Trump-3X a charm!”

Many protesters were draped in Mexican, Palestinian, and LGBTQ pride flags, holding signs that read “Power to the People,” “Deport Elon Musk,” and “The most dangerous minority is the rich.”

One sign at the Columbia, S.C. rally read, “Why does a South African billionaire control the U.S. purse?”

Chris Hill, a 20-year Army veteran and father of three, had been observing as Trump and MAGA ignited a threat to democracy. He took part in a protest in Phoenix, Arizona, to defend the Constitution he vowed to protect and uphold.

“I think it’s not an overstatement to say that our country is in crisis and it’s up to the people to come out and take back over,” he told the Arizona Mirror.

Alison Hird joined a demonstration in Hartford, Connecticut.

“Without a doubt, we are in the beginnings of the throes of fascism,” said Alison Hird at a Hartford, Connecticut protest holding a sign that read, “Fight Fascism.” “It’s not a threat anymore. It’s not a scare tactic. We are here.”

“I’m transgender,” Gabriel Acker told Connecticut Public Radio. “My rights are at stake.”

Trump has signed Executive Orders targeting the trans community, including banning them from military service and prohibiting gender-affirming care for children and 18-year-olds.

Trying to erase them

“(Trump is) trying to erase us off the existence of the Earth,” Acker said. “That’s just not how things work. And there’s so many more people like me that are scared to stand up, and I felt like it was just something I had to do, like it was an obligation” to protest.

“President tried to end birthright citizenship on Friday with the stroke of a pen. He’s trying to cancel contracts that have already been signed,” Ben Lippincott told Valley News Live at a Fargo, North Dakota protest.

In Annapolis, Maryland, Jessica Davis said that when Musk gained access to the U.S. Treasury, she needed to organize a demonstration.

“This is how the government is being run now and we have to do things differently,” Davis said. “That’s why we’re moving so quickly to try to save our democracy, fight back and protest.”

“I have a queer family; I am a queer woman, and I have a stake in the reproductive rights conversations happening in this country,” said Beth Gray at an Augusta, Georgia protest. “I hurt for our Latino community members who are scared right now. I hurt for all the members of the community who are terrified.”

The Chicago rally reflected those sentiments, including speakers from people of faith, immigrant justice, LGBTQ communities, and organized labor.

“We are outraged by the Trump administration’s attack on immigrants, but we feel empowered because our community knows their rights,” declared Juliet de Jesus Alejandre, executive director of Palenque, an immigrant rights group.

With the support of community organizers, churches, and other allies, immigrant communities were prepared when ICE began flooding neighborhoods in Chicago on Jan. 26. Information about Know Your Rights spread quickly among undocumented and documented immigrant populations, rapid response networks were established, and ICE Watch trainings were organized. These initiatives frustrated ICE, leading to a visibly irritated Border Czar, Tom Homan, acknowledging that Chicagoans were “well educated.”

The Department of Justice announced it was suing Chicago and Illinois regarding their Sanctuary Laws for “deliberately impeding” ICE efforts to round up immigrants. Governor Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson rejected the charges and refused to compromise.

“We need radical solidarity and courageous community. We all need each other,” said Alejandre. “Our mother leaders, young people, and children felt great fear, but the power of community also protected them. Community is the antidote to fear.”

“We must stand in solidarity. I have witnessed undocumented mothers leading Know Your Rights workshops. I urge Senators Durbin and Duckworth to be as radically courageous as they are.”

“May our love and courage be as big as the hate and cruelty of this administration,” she said.

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Originally published at https://peoplesworld.org on February 7, 2025.