"Not My Presidents' Day" protest at US Capitol opposes Trump-Musk policies: Video, photo essay

By Michele Bourdieu

Participants in the Feb. 17, 2025, "Not My Presidents' Day" protest near the US Capitol in Washington, DC, listen to speakers opposing the current Administration's policies and join in chants such as, "We will not go back!" The inverted flag is a sign of distress. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photos © John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now unless otherwise indicated.)

WASHINGTON, DC -- On February 17, 2025, a large crowd gathered and marched around the reflecting pool near the US Capitol building in Washington, DC, to express the need to save democracy, to oppose the current policies of President Trump and Elon Musk and to create awareness of the unjust firing of federal workers and the threats to public education, diversity and more.

The peaceful event, supported by similar protests across the United States at state capitols, was organized by the 50501 Movement, a grassroots organization opposing the recent policies and executive orders of President Donald Trump. 50501 stands for "50 protests. 50 states. 1 movement."*

Here are some photos and videos of the DC event from Keweenaw Now.

Displaying a sign that recalls a "No King" theme of the rally, this gentleman in 18th-century garb welcomed us as we arrived. 

As we joined the crowd near the reflecting pool, we recorded some of their chants.

During the Feb. 17, 2025, rally for Democracy near the US Capitol, participants gather near the reflecting pool, displaying signs and chanting. (Video by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

Seated near the reflecting pool, a group of citizens display their signs to the passing crowd. The lady on the right, a retired teacher, is being interviewed about her concerns for education funding.

Signs reflect more concerns for education and cuts to federal funding that result in profits/low taxes for the rich.

Feb. 17, Presidents' Day, intended to be in honor of George Washington's and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays, is overshadowed by the un-democratic leaders pictured on this ironic sign. 

Many are concerned that this moment in history could repeat what happened in 1930s Germany, leading to WWII.

Keweenaw Now interviewed some participants in the crowd, who explained their motivation for joining the protest.

Heather, a student from Maryland, carrying a sign to demonstrate her views of the present Administration, tells Keweenaw Now why she is participating. Chatting with her are Virginia residents Barry and Joyce, who also express their views. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Many signs and chants voice the wide opposition to Elon Musk, considered the wealthiest man in the world, who did not run for any office but who appears to make decisions as if he were president -- decisions that benefit the very wealthy and threaten democratic principles.

This "jester" attracted our attention as a unique piece of artwork at the rally, so Keweenaw Now interviewed Barbara, the lady carrying him. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Barbara, who formerly worked with USAID on environmental issues, tells Keweenaw Now why she is participating. She also explains the symbolism of the "jester" she carries. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

As participants marched along the reflecting pool, they repeated chants expressing the need for unity to fight against the new Administration's overreach that threatens democracy, attacks diversity, deports immigrants, cancels crucial foreign aid, fires essential federal workers, attempts to cancel many environmental protections and efforts to address climate change, and isolates the U.S. from allies all over the world.

As they march toward a gathering place to listen to speakers, marchers sing "Solidarity Forever." (Video by Keweenaw Now)

This young man proudly displays his sign criticizing Project 2025. According to Wikipedia, Project 2025, published by the conservative Heritage Foundation in 2023, is "a political initiative to reshape the federal government of the United States and consolidate executive power in favor of right-wing policies."**

Here is another sign calling attention to Project 2025 and the two people attempting to carry out its agenda.

As we followed the crowd moving toward the speakers, we noticed a sign about Fox News and decided to interview Danielle, who was carrying it.

Local resident Danielle displays a sign referring to Trump supporter Fox News.

Danielle gives Keweenaw Now several reasons for her participation in the protest. Editor's note: The climate change text was added here without our intention or ability to removse it. Move your cursor to the right margin if you wish to remove it temporarily. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

As the crowd moved along the reflecting pool, they began another enthusiastic chant.

Participants in the rally take up the chant, "This is what Democracy looks like" as they walk toward a gathering place for speakers near the Capitol reflecting pool. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

This skeleton is not just for Halloween! Even though Feb. 17, Presidents' Day, is a national holiday and Senate and House were not in session, many signs presented strong messages to members of Congress.

Opposition to Elon Musk and his policies was evident in the participants' chants, including this one. (Video by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

The crowd listened and responded to speakers who reminded them of the many issues to be addressed in opposition to the Administration's draconian policies.

Near the Capitol, participants listen to a speaker who cites democratic freedoms achieved in the last century, from Social Security to the end of segregation. (Video by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

The speaker challenges the crowd to fight for victims of the unjust policies of the present Administration. The inverted flag is a sign of distress. (Video by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

The crowd protests, chanting "We Won't Go Back!" The slogan expresses public resistance to the policies of the present Administration that are attempting to take away hard-won freedoms such as social security, Medicare, equality, women's rights, gay rights, measures against climate change, diversity in the work place and more. (Video by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

The crowd again calls for unity, chanting, "The People, United, Will Never Be Defeated" as they walk near the reflecting pool following speeches. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

With determination, participants chant, "Power to the People!" (Video by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

Following the speeches it's "no rest for the weary" as this group of protesters continue to display their signs while they relax near the reflecting pool. Although the forecast was in the 40s with wind, chilly for DC, the sunshine made it a pleasant day for the event.***

We continued walking around the reflecting pool to the opposite side, where a group of young speakers expressed views based on their individual experiences.

As the Feb. 17, 2025, protest near the US Capitol winds down, a young woman speaks to a crowd gathered near the reflecting pool. She encourages them to be brave despite the uncertainty caused by the present political situation but also to take care of themselves as they keep up the fight. (Video by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

A young student speaks to a crowd gathered near the reflecting pool about discrimination against LGBT young people under the present Administration. (Video by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

Gabriel, a young local resident, whose wife recently lost her federal job, tells the crowd gathered near the reflecting pool why people must resist the present policies of the Administration. (Video by John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

A message left on the sidewalk expresses one purpose of the protest.

According to NPR (National Public Radio) thousands participated in this Feb. 17 protest at the US Capitol and many more held similar events at state capitols across the country.

Editor's Notes:

* To learn more about the 50501 Movement visit their Web site.

** See the Wikipedia article on Project 2025 for many references to articles that describe its agenda -- which seems to be an agenda for the Trump Administration -- to take over key government agencies or even eliminate them, reduce taxes for corporations, reduce environmental regulations and promote fossil fuels, arrest and deport illegal immigrants, defund important medical research and more. The article also states, "Legal experts say it would undermine the rule of law, separation of powers, separation of church and state, and civil liberties."

*** To read about the supportive protest in Houghton, Michigan, with entirely different weather, see the Feb. 19, 2025, Keweenaw Now article by Alexandra Larsen, "Concerned citizens brave bitter cold in No King's Day march for democracy, justice, integrity, accountability and more."