Critics of the Trump administration are gearing up for a weekend of protests across the country under the banner “Rage Against the Regime.”
The demonstrations, orchestrated by the 50501 movement’s volunteers, are set for Saturday in response to perceived “threats” to democracy and human rights cited by 50501.
Organizers point to several concerns, including the administration’s “weaponization of ICE against communities,” creation of what they term concentration camps, concealment of the Epstein files, attacks on transgender rights, and the erosion of Medicaid, SNAP, USAID, the Department of Education, NOAA, and the National Weather Service, as outlined in a 50501 press statement.
On Saturday, nearly 350 “Rage Against the Regime” protests are expected to take place, according to the 50501 website. Additionally, over 100 other similar demonstrations are slated, though not under the same banner.
These demonstrations coincide with Vice President JD Vance’s birthday on August 2, but 50501 spokesperson Hunter Dunn told USA Today that the timing is purely coincidental.
The group 50501, which stands for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement,” has previously collaborated on organizing demonstrations such as the “Hands Off” and “No Kings” rallies earlier this year. Since Trump’s presidency began, the group has been behind several other “days of action.”
As they have during previous protests, 50501 urges non-violence during demonstrations and rallies. A guide provided to activists and organizers also calls for designated volunteers to help with conflict resolution and safety at the events.
In San Angelo, Texas, Saturday’s protests were given a different name out of a desire to emphasize its peaceful intent.
“This event is being called RISE Against the Regime rather than ‘Rage,’ … This is intentional due to our goal to have a peaceful display of opposition to what the current administration has been doing to our nation and our community,” a representative for West Texas Indivisible, the group organizing the protest, said.
“We hope to encourage others to connect with us in an effort to build a supportive community, promote civic engagement, and work together to make the change we want to see,” the representative said, adding that those wishing to bring signs should refrain from using explicit language or imagery.
The “Rage Against the Regime” moniker of Saturday’s protests, meanwhile, is a reference to the Los Angeles rock band Rage Against the Machine. (Dunn even quoted a Rage Against the Machine song in a press release ahead of Saturday’s events.)
A representative for 50501 was not immediately available to comment further on the movement’s plans to “Rage Against the Regime” on Saturday.
Trump, meanwhile, has brushed off questions about 50501’s efforts in the past, saying ahead of the “No Kings” demonstrations in June that he wouldn’t liken himself to a monarch.
“I don’t feel like a king; I have to go through hell to get stuff approved,” he told reporters.
