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Protests against Trump and Project 2025 are planned in cities across the US

A movement to oppose the early actions of President Donald Trump’s administration is taking off online.

People protest during a rally against Elon Musk outside the Treasury Department in Washington (AP/Jose Luis Magana)
People protest during a rally against Elon Musk outside the Treasury Department in Washington (AP/Jose Luis Magana) (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

A movement to oppose the early actions of President Donald Trump’s administration is taking off online, with plans to protest across the US.

The movement has been organised under the hashtags #buildtheresistance and #50501, which stands for 50 protests, 50 states, one day.

Many of the protests are planned at state capitols, with some in other cities on Wednesday.

The movement has websites and accounts across social media.

Demonstrators rally for immigration reform in Los Angeles (AP/Damian Dovarganes)
Demonstrators rally for immigration reform in Los Angeles (AP/Damian Dovarganes) (Damian Dovarganes/AP)

Flyers circulating online decry Project 2025, a hard-right playbook for American government and society, and include messages such as “reject fascism” and “defend our democracy”.

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In a coffee shop just a block from Michigan’s Capitol, organisers of a planned action there on Wednesday pushed together tables, spreading out poster boards to write messages that read “No Deportations Ever!” and “Workers Unite!”

Kelsey Brianne, a key organiser of Michigan’s rally, called it a “real grassroots effort”. She learned about the movement on Sunday night and has been coordinating speakers and safety protocols.

“I got involved because I knew that there was a need, and I knew what I could do,” Ms Brianne said.

“But also I want to look back at this time and say that I did something and I didn’t just sit back.”

Mr Trump has signed a series of executive orders in the first couple of weeks of his new term on everything from trade and immigration to climate change.

As Democrats begin to raise their voice in opposition to Mr Trump’s agenda, protests have also begun.

On Sunday, thousands of people marched against Mr Trump’s plan for large-scale deportations in Southern California, including in downtown Los Angeles, where protests shut down a major freeway for hours.