‘Shame!’ chants echo across US as thousands protest Trump’s policies; over 700 events held nationwide: 10 things to know | World News

Thousands of people across the United States took out rallies opposing several contentious schemes of the current Trump administration.

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across the United States on Sunday in a fresh wave of anti-Trump protests, just two weeks after a similar nationwide mobilization. From Washington DC to San Francisco, the rallies were marked by a deep sense of urgency, anger, and fear over what protesters described as civil rights violations, executive overreach, and authoritarian tendencies under President Donald Trump.
Although turnout in some cities like New York and Chicago was smaller than the April 5 protests, more than 700 events were organized, according to advocacy group 50501. The demonstrations spanned from Jacksonville, Florida, to Anchorage, Alaska, making it one of the most widespread waves of protests since Trump returned to political prominence.

700+ protests across all corners of the US
More than 700 events were registered under the 50501 campaign, making Saturday’s protest one of the largest decentralized demonstrations against Trump since 2017.
While crowd sizes were smaller than the April 5 protests in some major cities, organizers highlighted the geographic spread as the true measure of momentum. Protests took place in small towns like Bisbee, Arizona, all the way to Anchorage, Alaska, where demonstrators braved freezing temperatures to raise signs reading “Democracy Not Dictatorship.”

Washington protests led by chants of “Shame!”
In Washington DC, protesters gathered in front of the White House and marched to the Department of Homeland Security to decry the deportation of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man sent to El Salvador despite a court ruling allowing him to stay.
Activists chanted “Shame!” and waved upside-down American flags. “It feels like we’re past the Constitution,” said Elena Rodriguez, a DC resident and immigration rights advocate.

Deportation of Garcia becomes national symbol of due process violations
Abrego Garcia’s case was cited in dozens of rallies across the country as emblematic of what critics call lawless deportation practices. In Chicago, protesters handed out flyers with Garcia’s face, labeling him “the canary in the coal mine.” Julia Fine, a Brooklyn resident, said, “The Salvadoran prison he’s in now is like Guantánamo without the cameras. This is what happens when executive power goes unchecked.”
Immigrant families and allies rally in NYC against ICE raids, fearing broader crackdown
In New York City, hundreds gathered in Washington Square Park holding signs like “First they came for the immigrants…” and “No ICE in our state.” The atmosphere was tense but resolute. “I’m a citizen,” said Aaron Burk, “but the way things are going, anyone who looks like me is fair game.” Speakers warned of a growing network of unaccountable immigration enforcement, including unauthorized raids and surveillance.

LGBTQ+ protections and environmental safeguards highlighted in Jacksonville protests
In Jacksonville, Florida, demonstrators condemned both the rollback of LGBTQ+ rights and the Trump administration’s decision to weaken the Endangered Species Act. “This isn’t just about one community,” said Sara Harvey, who held a rainbow flag and a cardboard cutout of a sea turtle. “They’re cutting protections for people and the planet.” The protest also drew attention to job cuts in the Department of Interior and Education, blamed on Trump’s alliance with business leaders like Elon Musk.

Federal job cuts and Elon Musk’s role fuel anger at Tesla protest sites
Some rallies specifically targeted Tesla dealerships and SpaceX offices, symbolically linking Elon Musk to Trump’s push for a smaller federal government. Protesters in Austin, Texas, and Palo Alto, California, accused Musk of enabling federal downsizing that resulted in job losses across education, science, and public welfare sectors. “He’s playing kingmaker while people lose their livelihoods,” said Tanya Boon, a former EPA worker.
Economic anxiety and veterans’ concerns dominate Chicago and midwestern rallies
In Chicago’s Daley Plaza, speakers emphasized how proposed Trump policies could dismantle key social programs. Signs read “Hands off Social Security” and “Veterans deserve better.” Fio Holloman, a 22-year-old protester, said her father—a Vietnam vet—recently lost a disability benefit. “It’s not just about Trump the man. It’s about Trumpism as policy,” she said.

Concord’s Revolutionary War commemoration turns into anti-Trump protest
In Concord, Massachusetts, site of the Revolutionary War’s start 250 years ago, what began as a historical reenactment turned into a symbolic protest. Activists held signs reading “Stop Fascism Now” and “No Kings, No Trump.” Marchers dressed as 18th-century patriots drew comparisons between King George III and Donald Trump. “Our forefathers fought tyranny—why wouldn’t we?” said Mark Aldrich, a local historian turned protester.
Boston protesters accuse Trump of ‘building a police state’ and bypassing courts
At Boston Common, hundreds rallied with signs condemning Trump’s alleged disregard for court rulings and checks on executive power. George Bryant, a teacher, said: “This is what fascism looks like: targeting students, flouting the courts, and threatening free speech.” One speaker called for the Justice Department to “intervene before it’s too late.”
Emotional release, community healing, and voter mobilization were key outcomes
Beyond policy demands, many protesters described the day as emotionally necessary. In Cincinnati, Mayor Aftab Pureval joined the crowd and led chants of “Vote them out!” Social worker Andrea Mallory described the protest as “group therapy.” “I came here to scream. To grieve. To remember I’m not alone,” she said. Organizers handed out voter registration forms and “Know Your Rights” guides.