The organizers of U.S. protests against President Donald Trump and his policies have warned that demonstrators could face a tough clampdown by the authorities.
Grassroots group 50501, which is promoting the nationwide demonstrations on Saturday, issued the warning on the Bluesky social media platform.
The group said that the Trump administration could misrepresent the aims of the actions “to justify the use of military force.”
Newsweek has contacted the White House and 50501 for comment.
Demonstrators join the Hands Off march to protest DOGE cuts by Elon Musk and President Trump, April 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Further protests are planned for April 19. Demonstrators join the Hands Off march to protest DOGE cuts by Elon Musk and President Trump, April 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Further protests are planned for April 19. Andrew Lichtenstein/Getty Images
Why It Matters
The 50501 Movement is a grassroots initiative started on social media which is advocating for resistance against the Trump administration.
The protests aim to address concerns about the Trump administration, including cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), stock market impacts, immigration and the cost of living.
The protests signal the extent of public alarm over some of Trump’s executive actions and cuts to federal government.
What to Know
The 50501 Movement, which emerged in early 2025 and is short for “50 protests, 50 states, one day,” said the demonstrations will be against what it describes as a “hostile government takeover” overseen by the Trump administration.
Hundreds of protests are planned across the U.S. on Saturday and the group has said it wants 3.5 percent of the U.S. population, or more than 11 million people, to participate.
However, a post on Bluesky said the demonstrations and/or the 50501 Movement may be misrepresented by the Trump administration seeking to justify the use of military force.
It warned that participants should be prepared for an increased law enforcement presence and that in some locations, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents may also be present. It added that its movement is pro-democracy and “firmly grounded in non-violence.”
Where the Protests Are Taking Place
The actions on Saturday are aimed to build on the momentum of protests during the Hands Off! movement on April 5 when millions took to the streets, state capitals, federal buildings, congressional offices and city centers.
Hundreds of events have been scheduled for Saturday across the country and the locations of these and other protests in 50 states between April 19 and April 27 have been added to a blog called We (the People) Dissent which can be found here.
What People Are Saying
50501 Movement on BlueSky: “We have reason to believe that events on 4/19 and/or the 50501 Movement may be misrepresented by the Trump admin in an attempt to justify the use of military force.”
What Happens Next
Downtown areas and plazas will be the main gathering sites in major cities, such as Houston and Chicago. In other cities, demonstrators are gathering in shopping centers, local libraries and state capitols.
In Washington, D.C, protests are planned outside Vice President JD Vance‘s house on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory and near Lafayette Square; and near the Washington Monument on Saturday, the Washington Post reported.
However, not every gathering will be a protest and events will include food drives, mutual aid events and potlucks, according 50501. Some locations will focus on particular issues, such as climate, LGBTQ+ rights, antifascism and federal funding cuts.
