We have breaking news.
Mass anti-Trump protests have broken out across the world today in what may be the largest wave of political resistance since Trump returned to power on January 20. As of this morning, over 10,000 people are marching through midtown Manhattan, 1,500+ have gathered in Houston, and spontaneous demonstrations are appearing across Europe, including in Italy.
This story is developing—and the stakes could not be higher. If you value independent reporting that holds power to account, consider becoming a paid subscriber today.
I’m not physically on the ground covering the protests today—I’m currently traveling—but I’ll be following events closely and updating throughout the day.
This nationwide protest surge is being loosely coordinated by the movement 50501, short for 50 protests, 50 states, one movement. Today marks their fourth major action since Trump’s inauguration. Previous events included “No Kings Day”, which took place on Presidents’ Day, February 17—just days before Trump referred to himself as a king in a post on social media
Organizers have called for 11 million people to participate in today’s actions—roughly 3.5% of the U.S. population—a symbolic threshold drawn from historical research on the power of nonviolent mass protest.
More than 400 rallies are planned across the United States and the world. While some demonstrations are small and hyper-local, others have swelled into citywide mobilizations.
Protesters’ reasons for hitting the streets vary, but the throughline is clear: a rejection of Trump’s increasingly authoritarian style of governance, his policies targeting immigrants and the press, and his disregard for institutional norms. The movement, while broad, is building around a singular call—mass resistance to what many view as an existential threat to American democracy.
Today’s protests will likely continue to grow into the afternoon and evening. If you're seeing marches or rallies in your area, feel free to send me photos, videos, or notes—I'll be compiling coverage as it comes in.
I’ll post a full update tonight, with a city-by-city breakdown of what unfolded and where things may go from here.
If you are protesting, stay safe.
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