Thousands of Americans took to the streets across the US on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump’s recent actions, with demonstrators calling for the return of a wrongly deported man and criticizing the administration’s policies.
Thousands of people took to the streets across the United States on Saturday to protest recent actions by President Donald Trump. The demonstrations, known as ‘50501,’ aimed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolutionary War.
Grievances Against Trump’s Policies and Actions
Protesters expressed a variety of grievances against Trump’s policies and actions. Many called for the return of Kilmar Ábrego García, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador. The Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), Trump’s initiative to cut US government jobs and other spending, was also a point of contention. Additionally, protesters were unhappy with the administration’s unwillingness to bring about the return of Ábrego García.
Gihad Elgendy, who joined the protest at the White House, criticized the deportation of Ábrego García, stating that ‘Trump ‘could easily pressure El Salvador to bring him back’.’ The protests were generally reported as peaceful, although there was an incident in New York City where a man holding a Trump sign and pushing through a crowd to angrily confront Representative Suhas Subramanyam, a Democrat.
Historical Significance of the Protests
The protests coincided with the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolutionary War. Demonstrators carried signs reading ‘No Kings,’ a nod to the anniversary of the country’s revolution against English rule. In Massachusetts, people held similar signs during celebrations of the anniversary, which commemorated the battles of Lexington and Concord and the famous horse ride of Paul Revere.
The American Revolutionary War was sparked by a series of taxes imposed by the British government on its American colonies.
The Proclamation of 1763, which prohibited westward expansion, and the Stamp Act, which required colonists to purchase stamps for official documents, were among the key grievances.
Tensions escalated with the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party, leading to the outbreak of war in 1775.
The Continental Army, led by George Washington, fought against the British Empire, ultimately securing American independence in 1783.
Thomas Bassford, who participated in the protests with his family, stated that ‘this is a very perilous time in America for liberty.’ He wanted to teach his grandsons about the origins of the country and the importance of fighting for freedom.
American liberty is a fundamental concept in the United States, rooted in the country's history and founding principles.
The phrase 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' from the Declaration of Independence (1776) emphasizes individual freedom and autonomy.
The Constitution (1787) further enshrines these rights through the Bill of Rights, protecting citizens from government overreach.
Today, American liberty encompasses not only personal freedoms but also social justice movements, such as civil rights and women's suffrage.
Polling on Trump’s Popularity
Recent polling suggests that 45% of voters approve of Trump’s performance in the first quarter of his term, which is more than the 41% who approved during the same period in his first administration. However, this is lower than the average first-quarter rating of 60% for all presidents elected between 1952 and 2020.
Trump’s approval rating has been edging down, especially when it comes to the economy. When he took office in January, his approval rating was 47%, according to Gallup. In a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, only 37% approved of his performance on the economy, compared to 42% during inauguration.
Earlier this month, hundreds of thousands of Americans gathered for the largest nationwide show of opposition since Trump returned to the White House. Those protests were larger than Saturday’s and happened in 1,200 locations across all 50 US states.
