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Today, over 3 million people stood up to the billionaire-backed hostile government takeover. (i.redd.it)

submitted 2 weeks ago by arotrios@lemmy.world to c/progressivepolitics@lemmy.world

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cross-posted from: https://50501.chat/post/93776

We are building a massive, visible, national rejection of this crisis—and today’s numbers are proof that the people—the majority—are taking action to stop a hostile government takeover.

Because let’s be clear: We do not have a functioning democracy anymore. Trump and his billionaire allies have dismantled our system of checks and balances, stacked the courts, silenced dissent, and declared themselves above the law.

They are disappearing people, attacking universities and the free press, and purging agencies meant to protect the people—from the environment to civil rights to public health.

This is not politics as usual. This is a hostile takeover by billionaires, corporations, and authoritarian enablers.

They are gutting the country for parts—and selling us out in the process.

They are not leaders. They are traitors to the people of this country.

So we are building a People’s Movement. And history shows that when just 3.5% of the population engages in sustained, peaceful resistance—transformative change is inevitable.

But we have to earn it. And we have to fight for it.

We may no longer have a functioning democracy—but we still have a chance to restore it. The window is closing though. And we are the ones who must rise to meet this moment.

So here’s what you can do: 📱 Use the 5 Calls app or Resist Bot to contact your elected officials—every single day.

🎤 Demand town halls. Show up at their public appearances.

🚫 Boycott the corporations funding this hostile takeover.

🗣️ Talk to your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. Don’t let them sleep through this moment.

📸 Share protest footage, updates, and facts on social media. Amplify the truth—because the billionaires are trying to drown it out.

📲 And follow us to stay connected, get updates, and join future actions.

We are not alone. We are not powerless. And we are not backing down.

#50501movement #PeoplesMovement #FiftyFiftyOne #50501 #ImpeachTrump #HandsOff #April5

Originally Posted By u/FiftyFifty1Movement At 2025-04-05 07:56:36 PM | Source

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[-] MyDogLovesMe@lemmy.world 62 points 2 weeks ago

I hate to ask this, but is this really going to make any difference with Trump/Musk et al. ?

I mean, they sure as fuck aren’t going to clean up their act (maybe try to hide it more now); sure as shit they won’t leave the office/WH either. None of their policies will change by their own hand.

So.

What did it change yesterday?

3 M across the country? I think you need 3 Million in one place - ie Washington DC. Enough to show them, Jan 6 was nothing.

Otherwise, I fear they will just, “ride out the news cycle and double down again before The People can organize again.

The spark is lit now, but it hasn’t caught yet enough to burn this evil shit down.

BLOW ON IT!!!

Let’s get this to 10, 20M nationwide, with millions descend in on wherever Trump is at the moment (golf course? Lol).

This was big, but not big enough I fear.

[-] arotrios@lemmy.world 85 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

More people showed up in DC yesterday (100k ) than at Jan 6th (80k high estimate - snopes.com ).

This is the beginning, not the end result. Protest activity is off the charts and rising steadily:

Link to full article from WagingNonViolence.org

These movements take time to build, but this one is building much faster than previous efforts. I've been on the front lines since the 2nd Iraq War protests (which were huge) and this movement is already larger, smarter, and more organized.

It is making a difference - don't allow yourself to believe otherwise. You can see the cracks starting already with the infighting at the top of Trump's team and the defection of key republicans.

They're just as scared of our mob as they are of theirs.

Because we're stronger than they are - there are a lot more of us - and we have REAL cause to be angry now.

[-] Auntievenim@lemmy.world 37 points 2 weeks ago

What's really interesting about the effort to dismiss these protests is by comparing them to centrally organized protests of the past like the women's march. Those antiwar protests are probably the closest comparison since there was no institutional backing then either.

The thing that gets me is that this movement is literally from reddit, by redditors, organized by real people exclusively. No corporate sponsors or dem support, no campaigning or fundraising. Just people going to the streets saying "we are peaceful now. Do not force our hand" and 3 million came out.

Keep pushing the message keep spreading the info, this is the result after only 2 months of activity that went completely unseen on any mainstream media. Make them regret it. Make them being afraid your greatest weapon. Those republican stooges love to hear MSm isn't covering something. Wake them up. Turn them into patriots willing to fight for this country. Dismantle this regime and return power to Americans.

[-] usernamesAreTricky@lemmy.ml 34 points 2 weeks ago

This wasn't the first nationwide protest of his second term nor will it be the last. This was the 4th nationwide 50501 protest. Plus other movement like Tesla Takedown had large nationwide protests prior too. It's just that now it's gotten large enough that the media can no longer ignore it. It took time to get here. Each protest keeps getting larger than the last

Millions of people have just been put in touch with the various local groups organizing these protests. Usually at these protests they'll be people going around giving info, sigining people up for mailing lists, etc. That's a good part of how each protest gets bigger

Besides just protests, that will enable much more action and more rapid action in the future. For instance Indivisible does tons of work on directed pressure of congress and local leaders. 50501 organized smaller boycotts in the past when the crowds were smaller. Now they can organize boycotts more with more effect

[-] Zirconium@lemmy.world 15 points 2 weeks ago

Exactly on the more action part. Right now connections are being made and organizations are organizing and mobilizing people. It takes time to mobilize people and the size of these protests will hopefully encourage more.

[-] brucethemoose@lemmy.world 16 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

One thing unique about Trump/Musk is they really do live in a Kool-Aid filled bubble.

Hitler, Stalin, especially "modern" dictators like Putin and Kim seem well-informed. Surrounded by yes-men, sure, but they have a good information apparatus, some intelligence, and a much "higher" view than their general population. They know some lies they tell, they know what they're doing.

Trump? Musk? They are utterly coddled by algorithmic, warped, narcissistic information environments. Everything post they see, everything people tell them, every waking moment strokes titanic egos. They live in a disinformation bubble, which is both a weakness (it leads to objectively self-harming decisions traditional dictators wouldn't make) and a danger (they are extremely insulated from protests. They truly think they're Chosen Ones in the eyes of "good" Americans).

Hence, I think they are going to ignore large protests because they earnestly think it isn't a big deal. Which is good, as it might allow the protests to get extremely large and gravity to take effect.

[-] leadore@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

“modern” dictators like Putin and Kim seem well-informed.

Putin thought he would take Ukraine in 3 days.

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[-] disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world 15 points 2 weeks ago

We’re trying to scare the Republicans in Congress into growing a spine. If they feel that their seats are threatened, they may actually begin to dissent.

[-] Jhex@lemmy.world 20 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Honestly you are way past that. At this point, the ask should be a complete abolishment of the 2 party system and a full reset

Pretending the mummies from the GOP or the dummies from the DNC will fix this is asking for another topping on the shit Sunday they are serving you

[-] disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

You do understand you’d be asking the people who have power from the current system to change it?

Our best chance at change is engaging more than the current ~20% turnout in Democratic primaries to replace centrists with progressives. It’s far more likely to be successful than rallying entire districts around a third party.

[-] Jhex@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

then you'll be back here in the next cycle... you don't have enough progressivess to effect change

[-] disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

How many elections do you estimate it would take to gain a majority vote in a third party? How much longer do you want to allow Republicans to remain in control while you promote a new party? We’re facing the worst administration in US history and you’re advocating for splitting the vote over changing out the members of the most popular party in the last 20 years.

[-] Jhex@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

a billion? which is why I'm arguing for a full reset. You don't have enough democracy to fix this mess by voting

[-] disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

What does a full reset look like to you? It sounds a lot more like anarchy than progressivism to me.

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[-] TronBronson@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

Yes I did the Jan 6th Gallows on my sign, and the back said next time it’s 2A time.

These people are all in violation of their oath to the constitution they need to be reminded that we can remove them from their post the old-fashioned way.

[-] TronBronson@lemmy.world 15 points 2 weeks ago

https://cup.columbia.edu/book/why-civil-resistance-works/9780231156820/

Here’s a study on how many people you need to effectively start a movement. You’ll be pleased to hears it’s not many. If ever person that went out yesterday brings 4 friends were basically there.

We really need leadership and organization, here, strong messaging, and gathering of people to support popular change. Before we get steamrolled by a dictator. Do not let apathy destroy the world this year.

[-] leadore@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

Yes. Read the author's entire website for inspiration and education. She has lots of papers and books out there.

[-] leadore@lemmy.world 12 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

God, I'm sick of these concern trolls trying to dissuade the people from taking action in Every. Single. Thread about protests. You're wrong, go away if you have nothing positive to contribute. We're just getting started.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190513-it-only-takes-35-of-people-to-change-the-world

[-] MyDogLovesMe@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago

If you’re calling me a troll, let me clarify something. When I said blow on it, i meant to encorage “the spark”; for you sir however, I use it in the pejorative.

[-] FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago

No. These protests aren't going to change anything.

People will post photos and videos of their participation on their socials, then in a year and a half they'll vote for the same shitty people that are plundering us: Republicans and Democrats. What incentive do the people pillaging us have to change when they know they'll have your votes in the next election?

The protests, I think, would be more successful if they were modeled off the way we see the Nazis protesting: Uniformed, everyone armed, and people having all of their identifying features covered. I don't think peaceful protest is enough anymore. There needs to be a credible threat to the status quo.

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[-] Helvetica@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 weeks ago

The effects of Trumps tariffs and Musk's meddling are barely being felt yet though. We're on the precipice of economic disaster but most Americans aren't feeling it personally yet. Once they do and the leopards are out eating faces in earnest the protest numbers will go way up. Unlike usual recessions which most lay people don't really understand this has a clear origin point: Trumps idiotic tariffs. There's no spinning that.

[-] BeardedBlaze@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Majority of my neighborhood will be still blaming Obama.

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[-] LavaPlanet@lemm.ee 42 points 2 weeks ago

All the news outlets are reporting "thousands" and showing smaller protests, they're trying to sweep it under the rug. Even here in Australia they're reporting "thousands". To try and minimise. (Murdoch media)

[-] Lifter@discuss.tchncs.de 21 points 2 weeks ago

There are thousands of protests though, with thousands of people each.

[-] LavaPlanet@lemm.ee 14 points 2 weeks ago

They're specifically referring to the amount of people who turned up. Saying thousands, when it's actually millions, changes the power and therefore the narrative, they hope. Have a look what is being reported, vs what's available to see, in personal accounts online. It's a good way to notice how much is screened and changed to serve the billionaires who own the media. It's an important thing to notice. If we had accurate reporting, and free media, not owned by billionaires with capitalist agendas. Would authoritarians even get voted in.

[-] vvilld@lemmy.world 12 points 2 weeks ago

There were 100k+ in DC alone.

[-] nkat2112@sh.itjust.works 18 points 2 weeks ago

This is huge - thank you for posting this!

[-] stopdropandprole@lemmy.world 14 points 2 weeks ago

it's really encouraging. I've thought a lot about it and I don't see many viable alternatives to mass mobilization/protest right now.

lets consider a few of the most common alternatives to protests you hear from online leftists and dismantle them one by one: 1). General Strike 2). Guillotines/purge style violence 3.) Vote harder

what preconditions are necessary for those things to even be possible? how will we get normal, apolitical people leading ignorant lives involved enough to overcome the doomerism/apathy/loneliness/passivity that undercuts our ability to take action? it's going to take enormous social pressure. social pressure is one of the most powerful motivators for humans, at a basic biological level.

1- no one's going on a Strike until they believe that a fuckton of other people are doing it and they won't simply be fired.

2- no one is running out to buy Purge supplies unless they are absolutely convinced that hundreds of thousands of other people are doing it too and they can disappear in the crowd to evade being caught and prosecuted.

3- and as for voting... we all know that ship has sailed. elections are not going to be free or fair here on out (arguably never were). our current elected officials won't listen or won't actually put up a fight (Dems are ineffectual opposition party). and the govt is completely captured by corporations and insiders.. say goodbye to the courts and regulatory agencies who ensure govt accountability. how will winning an election alleviate these systemic problems?

arguably, the strategic and controlled intimidation of government officials (after Jan 6th, trust me, theyre scared of big motivated crowds) using well orchestrated protest events, is exactly how you change things when free and fair elections no longer work.

I'm open to all possibilities... but we need to realize that people have to get up off our asses and go into the world to accomplish any of them. attending a mom and pop friendly protest is a good starting place.

[-] DontRedditMyLemmy@lemmy.world 13 points 2 weeks ago

Confused: I've heard of 50501 on Lemmy, but today is the first time I've heard of "Hands Off". Are they related?

[-] Lumun@lemmy.zip 20 points 2 weeks ago

Yesterday's protests were organized through many groups working together. 50501 was one of them, as were MoveOn, labor unions like SEIU, Sunrise, DSA, OurRevolution, the Women's March, and many others.

"Hand's Off" was the branding chosen for the day of protest by Indivisible, another large activist group. https://handsoff2025.com/about-1

[-] DontRedditMyLemmy@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

Thanks, are the groups going to coalesce into fewer? It seems like they are gaining momentum, but for the most it would be great to eliminate distractions.

[-] Lumun@lemmy.zip 12 points 2 weeks ago

Each group was started for a specific reason so no, they will stay seperate to try to achieve their specific aims. I think its best to remember that orgs are just made up of people trying their best. Most people involved with one of those orgs are involved with many, and having many isn't a distraction, it's tactical to fight on different playing fields.

Indivisible and 50501 are a little different since they were created to plan protests specifically, so they are kinda like a glue that gets all these interest groups to show up on the exact same day.

[-] DontRedditMyLemmy@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago

Thanks, that makes sense. As long as cooperate on alignment, hopefully it grows.

[-] Lumun@lemmy.zip 7 points 2 weeks ago

Me too! With the global tariffs, I expect there to be street protests against Trump to attend in basically every country worldwide this spring and summer.

[-] selokichtli@lemmy.ml 10 points 2 weeks ago

Proud of these people!

[-] AutistoMephisto@lemmy.world 9 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

That's an incredible show of force. Imagine if they could all be brought into DC. The police and military would be overwhelmed, especially if they were organized and given clear roles with clear objectives and steps. This is a movement that ActBlue needs to be kept away from. We keep lists, but not for fundraising, for activating them into action. Giving money is not action. Registering voters is action, canvassing is action, helping our communities is action. That's what this movement should be. Just action, and achieving a goal.

[-] kSPvhmTOlwvMd7Y7E@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago

the pictures of rallies were absolutely impressive. Good job America !

[-] werefreeatlast@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

They just destroyed 6 to 10 years of retirement funds for most of us and the number of money loss is increasing.

[-] surph_ninja@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago

No protest against Israel, but they were demanding ‘hands off!’ of NATO, an organization founded in Nazi ideology.

This is why we don’t ally with liberals.

[-] peregrin5@lemm.ee 17 points 2 weeks ago

Obvious Russian bot is obvious.

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[-] FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

They pretended to at least, but like our Democrats in the Senate, it's largely performative.

I'd wager a fair bit that these people would have voted for Kamala, who as Biden's admitted proxy would have allowed Americans to be pillaged as well. She's on record as saying she wouldn't change anything, and the four Biden years were years of increasing economic desperation for the poor and working class.

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this post was submitted on 06 Apr 2025

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