Not My Presidents Day
Protests erupt nationwide, but not on the front pages of major American newspapers
Apparently there were anti-government protests across the United States on Monday, which was the federal holiday known as Presidents Day. Sitting here in Mexico, I looked in vain on the online “front pages” of media sites like the New York Times and the Washington Post for coverage of these protests yesterday. But while there were articles about them in both publications, they were deeply buried and I only found them by mounting a search.
The demonstrations were, in fact, prominently covered by the Associated Press, National Public Radio, and many other U.S.-based media services, as well as by the foreign press including The Guardian, Le Monde and others. (Axios published a series of photos from protests across the country that is worth seeing.)
Dubbed “Not My Presidents Day” or “No Kings Day,” the protests were mostly organized by the 50501 movement — an upstart political action organization focused on protesting against the Trump administration, and which came together online as a call for 50 protests in 50 states on 1 day (aka 50501). Various local branches of Indivisible, a grassroots movement working on resisting the Trump agenda, were also involved in organizing the protests.
But What Can I Do?
Given the seriousness of what we are confronting, I think there are three things we should be focusing on to resist autocracy and push back against tyranny. (There are many more things we can all be doing, but focusing on three makes it feel more manageable.)
#1: GET OUT INTO THE STREETS! Historically, mass protests of ordinary people on the streets does make a difference! Join the mailing lists of 50501 or your local chapter of Indivisible, and show up the next time there is a call to protest. We need to take concrete, visible actions to make it clear that the majority of the American populace does not support the decimation of federal government agencies, the dismantling of anti-discrimination protections and the destruction of our international alliances.
Missed the Presidents Day protest? This is just the beginning.
#2: CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES! Don’t do this just once. Do it as often as possible — once a day is not too often! Not sure how to make a call or what to say? There is an app called 5 Calls you can download onto your mobile phone. The app provides information on specific issues, sample scripts, and the names and phone numbers of your Senators and your Representative. Think calls don’t matter? Think again. Lawmakers’ offices track these calls, and for the last few years they have mostly been getting a lot more calls from voters on the other side of issues we care about, such as reproductive rights, immigration and consumer protection. Right now, government officials need to hear from voters about Elon Musk’s DOGE government takeover, tax breaks for billionaires and threats to Medicaid funding. Show them that you care.
#3: SUPPORT LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS FIGHTING TO KEEP TRUMP & CO. IN CHECK! While I have little confidence that the U.S. Supreme Court will reign in Trump’s and Musk’s excesses, at least in the short term, the courts are the only bulwark against the massive illegalities Trump & co. are perpetrating. Most of the organizations filing important lawsuits against Trump’s executive orders are nonprofits and they need funding. Some, including L4GG, are also focusing on mobilizing pro bono lawyers to defend civil rights, reproductive freedom, and environmental justice. Every little bit helps! A few I recommend supporting include the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG), RAICES and the National Urban League. There are many more. Speak with your dollars, and direct your resources to organizations whose missions resonate with you.
Don’t Forget the Power of the Purse
Speaking of the power of our dollars, there has been a call for a one-day economic blackout on February 28. The point is to show Big Business that people can vote with their dollars.
Personally I hate that we are mostly looked at as little more than “consumers.” But if that’s so, then let’s demonstrate what happens when we choose not to consume, even if it’s just for one day. Then imagine how powerful it can be if we make informed purchasing decisions every day. For example, the sales of Teslas are sharply down in California. Wouldn’t it be great if that happened across the country, and around the world?
The Supreme Court has said that corporations are people, and that money is speech. (See Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.) Let’s show them the power of actual people, using our money to express our outrage.
Staying Informed Is Critical
We also need to keep educating ourselves. Clearly, we cannot rely on the mainstream media to keep us informed. But neither should we immerse ourselves completely in our own liberal bubble. I was heartened to read a recent article in Forbes magazine — hardly a left-wing rag — about the destructive impact of mass deportations (or even the fear thereof that is keeping many foreign workers at home) on our nation’s food supply. (See How Donald Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Threatens U.S. Food Supply (Forbes, Feb. 11, 2025)). There are responsible sources of news to be found, but you have to search for them.
In an earlier blog post, I included a list of some of the Substack newsletters I follow. Since that time, I have added a few more. It can get overwhelming at times, and most days I just skim the majority of them. But it’s important to read what smart, well-informed, well-intentioned people have to say — each from the perspective of their own particular experience and expertise — about the shitshow in which we find ourselves.
This blog is one of the ways that I stay engaged and share my thoughts with others. I hope you are all sharing your views within your families and communities. One person can make a difference.
