Protesters across US hold ‘Not My Presidents Day’ rally against Trump
A demonstrator holds up a sign during the “No Kings Day” protest on Presidents Day in Washington, in support of federal workers and against recent actions by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, on Capitol Hill in Washington Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
LOS ANGELES – Presidents Day turned into a day of protests against President Donald Trump in dozens of cities across the United States.
The “Not My Presidents Day” and “No Kings on Presidents Day” gatherings on Monday were organized by The 50501 Movement, which planned demonstrations in all 50 states to protest what the group called “the anti-democratic and illegal actions of the Trump administration and its plutocratic allies.”
Demonstrators marched to state capitols in California, Minnesota, Michigan, Texas, Wisconsin and Indiana to denounce Trump, Project 2025, billionaire Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an outside-government organization designed to slash federal spending.
A federal employee, who asked not to use their name for fears over losing their job, protests with a sign saying “Federal Employees Don’t Work for Kings” during the “No Kings Day” protest on Presidents Day in Washington, in support of federal workers and against recent actions by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
In Los Angeles County, police said a permitted demonstration formed at the steps of LA City Hall and a large crowd gathered in front of Long Beach City Hall.
The Long Beach Post reported that the demonstrators were occupying the eastbound lanes of Ocean Boulevard and marching east from the Civic Center.
In San Diego, protesters gathered in downtown San Diego and made their voices heard at the county Administration Center’s Waterfront Park Monday morning.
“If you don’t show up and you don’t actively voice your concern about what’s going on, you’re complicit to the violence, and I don’t want to look back at my life and watch the world burn,” rally participant Joanna Rose Benavidez said. “I want to say I actually tried to do something.”
Protesters in Oakland and San Francisco decried the mass deportations and the moves by Elon Musk to gut federal agencies.
In Washington, DC, protesters gathered Monday morning outside the US Capitol and at the National Mall.
Demonstrators rally during the “No Kings Day” protest on Presidents Day in Washington, in support of federal workers and against recent actions by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, on Capitol Hill in Washington Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Nearly 1,000 people marched in the snow from the Statehouse in Boston to City Hall, chanting “Elon Musk has got to go” and other slogans. The temperature was below freezing, with wind chills in the teens.
Boston protesters, some dressed in Revolutionary War-style clothing, carried signs saying such things as “This is a Coup” and “Cowards Bow to Trump, Patriots Stand Up.” One sign had a depiction of Uncle Sam saying “I Want You to Resist.”
“I thought it was important to be here on Presidents Day to demonstrate for what America stands for,” said Emily Manning, 55, a Boston engineer who came to the rally with her two teenage sons. “American values are not the values of the plutocracy or the limited few rich people.”
In Phoenix, hundreds of protestors gathered in front of the Capitol carrying signs reading “No Kings” and “Resist Fascism.” Security barred protesters from entering the building after a few tried to get inside. Demonstrators were seeking access to a state Senate committee hearing on legislation that would require law enforcement officers across the state to support federal immigration policy.
