I’ve been watching The Crown on Netflix out of curiosity. I’ve never thought much about the British monarchy, but I’m loving the show. America, of course, was founded on breaking away from that system — no kings, no absolute power. Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much we still wrestle with those ideas: who holds power, how it’s kept in check, and what happens when people push back.

This is what 50501 is about.

Named for “50 protests, 50 states, one day,” the 50501 movement began as a grassroots response to what organizers call unchecked, anti-democratic executive overreach under President Donald Trump’s second administration. It started with a Reddit post shortly after his inauguration and quickly gained momentum on social media. Partnering with Political Revolution and NoVoiceUnheard, 50501 has grown into a movement focused on nonviolent action, democratic accountability, and protecting civil liberties.

The first major day of action, Feb. 5, 2025, saw protests in cities across the country. While exact numbers are unclear, organizers estimate nearly 80 protests took place across 88 cities. A follow-up protest, “Not My President’s Day,” took place on Feb. 17, 2025.

Here in Washington state, 2,000 people gathered at the Capitol Campus in Olympia on Feb. 17 to rally against President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk. Protesters lined the streets chanting, “The whole world is watching!” and “No billionaires, no kings!” A few hundred also gathered in Bellingham, with many expressing concerns about widespread federal job cuts.

50501 prioritizes inclusivity, non-violence, and peaceful conflict resolution. As stated on its website, “We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute.” The group is not affiliated with any political party.

The next demonstration is set for March 4, under the banner “March 4th For Democracy.” The protest will take place at noon at Seattle’s Olympic Sculpture Park, 2901 Western Ave. No additional details are available, but those interested should check the official event page for updates.

I like that 50501 is about peaceful activism. No one’s trying to strong-arm anyone else into taking a side — just people showing up to say they care about democracy, which feels extremely important right now.