Protesters rallied in cities across the United States yesterday, Presidents’ Day, demonstrating against President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and what organizers call “the antidemocratic and illegal actions of the Trump administration.” This “No Kings Day” protest was the second set of rallies organized by the 50501 movement (“50 protests, 50 states, one movement”), with more planned in the future. Gathered below are images of some of these rallies, ranging from Alaska and California to Massachusetts and Florida.
The main reasons behind the protests included harsh immigration policies, attempts to cut federal agencies, and the appointment of Elon Musk as the head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk, as a powerful businessman, was granted extensive authority, including access to confidential Treasury Department information and initiatives to reduce foreign aid. This raised concerns among citizens, who chanted slogans such as "Nobody voted for Musk."
The protests spread across all 50 states, including major cities such as Washington, Seattle, Orlando, Boston, and Phoenix. In Houston, Texas, around 500 people gathered at the city council to express their discontent with Trump’s policies and Musk’s appointment. Protest organiser Kristina Pham emphasised that participants believe in freedom, justice, and equal rights for all.
In Boston, hundreds of demonstrators marched from Boston Common to the John F. Kennedy Federal Building and back to the steps of the Massachusetts State House, chanting "Stop the coup." Similar protests took place in other cities across the state, including Springfield and Falmouth.
The protests also resonated internationally. In Kyiv, Ukraine, activists gathered outside the US Embassy, expressing concerns over Trump’s pro-Russian policies. They held a banner reading "God, save America. Trump caught Putin", depicting the Statue of Liberty embracing Trump and Putin.
These protests reflect the deep divisions within American society and the growing concerns over the direction of the Trump administration’s policies and Musk’s role in government.