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Hundreds of protesters gathered near Tivoli Fountain in front of the Washington Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 5, to speak out against recent policies enacted by the Trump administration.
While there was no singular cause attendees were fighting against, the 50501 protesters were united in their chants and marched with their signs around the fountain. The protest was a part of a nationwide protest at each state capitol on the same day — 50 protests, 50 states, one day.
The event kicked off at noon with a few speakers, including a local author of a book about how to fix the political system of the United States called “Polemic for Democracy.”
Author Zane Gustafson said his ancestors immigrated here generations ago, and we are in the middle of a constitutional crisis.
He said the executive branch has usurped the power of the purse from Congress, and asked, “Where are our leaders? Our government’s failure to address these problems is how we got to this moment.”
Next, chants of “Trans rights are human rights” began, and an LGBTQ+ advocate stepped to a megaphone.
She called for action from Washingtonians, asking them to clean out their spare bedrooms for queer refugees coming from states where laws are going into place that will strip rights from LGBTQ+ Americans.
She runs an organization called Kawaguchi O'Connor Initiative, to help relocate queer people to the Pacific Northwest, where more protections for LGBTQ+ people exist.
There are currently 381 bills being tracked across 43 states, which include laws against trans people, according to the Trans Legislation Tracker, an organization that studies and publishes information on laws that impact trans and gender-diverse people in the U.S.
The speaker mentioned that there has been an increase in suicide among trans people who are denied gender-affirming care.
According to The Trevor Project, an organization that researches LGBTQ+ mental health, “anti-transgender state laws significantly increased incidents of past-year suicide attempts among trans and nonbinary youth by as much as 72%.”
Blue, another speaker at the protest, said the 50501 protests were a grassroots movement, whose message is good and peaceful, and that everyone involved is just a regular person. Blue said that organizers did not want violence during the protest, and they are not part of an official organization.
Some chants began again, and then the crowd joined together for a tune. “Glory, glory save democracy,” they sang, “The truth will make us free.”
More members of the crowd spoke into the megaphone, all with different reasons for attending.
“We demand to be free from oppression and discrimination. We demand that every human being no matter their race, gender or denomination be treated with dignity and respect, and we demand basic rights for all,” a speaker said. “Make your voice be heard.”
Some people were opposed to immigration crackdowns, others were afraid of LGBTQ+ rights being taken or were angry about the influx of billionaires, such as Elon Musk, into the U.S. government.
One protester from Renton was upset about Musk’s influence in government.
“We have to do something, this is my way of doing something,” said Teresa. Her friend, Rose, said, “It feels like Democrats have lost their backbone right now and I’m really hoping that they’re starting to vote with how their constituents are wanting them to vote versus just falling in line with everything else.”
Emily Moffett said that she attended because growing up as a minority and seeing other minorities being treated the way that they are made her want to do something. She cited reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) harassing Navajo people, and said she believes people should be treated equally, fairly and with kindness.
“There’s really no one thing that was my breaking point. It was really the mistreatment of everyone, and all the vulnerable populations that (Trump) could strike out against, he has,” Moffett said.
Linda Soriano, a member of the Lummi Nation, also mentioned ICE at reservations around the country, and said they’re targeting anyone with brown skin.
“I need people to know we are still here,” Soriano said. She said that she doesn’t truly consider herself “Native American,” but part of the First Nations people.
Her reason for being there was because she likes to represent her people, so she wears her traditional cedar hat so others can recognize that someone from a First Nation is there speaking up. She said she’s almost 72 and is always looking for allies, and she agrees with all the signs she saw at the event on Wednesday.
The attendees of the protest were diverse in their backgrounds and messages. There was no certain age, race, gender or style of those gathered.
Cars honked as they drove past on Capitol Way, protesters waving signs with messages, such as “No Trump, No KKK, no fascist USA,” “Stop Project 2025,” “Trump for prison,” “DOGE - Dangerous Oligarchs Grabbing Everything.”
Subjects, such as reproductive rights, immigration, trans rights and the rich being in power, were among the most common messages on signs.
Ellen Turner said she doesn’t agree with the trajectory of the current administration. She said there’s an ideal held in the constitution — life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — but there’s a long way to go before getting to that. She said it’s time to come together without fear.
Just down the road on the Capitol steps another protest took place for an organization called One America. Lawmakers and lobbyists were in attendance, and spoke about protections for workers in Washington state, particularly those workers who are immigrants. Currently, they are asking for unemployment insurance.
“It is a protection for every worker and that is what we’re asking for,” said state Senator Rebecca Saldaña, who represents the 37th Legislative District.
One America is composed of people in various communities around the state pushing to get certain laws to pass, said Glicerio Zurita Pinecho, who has been a member of the group since 2010.
He said they bring stories to leaders of their real-life experiences. There’s a need for communities to unite and speak, and that they want everyone to feel free in this country, he said.
Editor's note: Some people in this story have been identified with a singular name or a pronoun.
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GeorgeBurazer
Reporter Darland gave a balanced account of the issues expressed by the protesters.
Using their own words in quotes strongly demonstrates that each person's voice
is vital to keep our democracy alive. Organizing at the grassroots makes sense.
Thanks to all that showed up and your allies who were not able to attend.
George Burazer
Lacey
Thursday, February 6 Report this
Boatyarddog
It is absoultey imperitive that we show our community and each other the Solidarity during times of Duress. This IS A Patriotic American Value.
Those that Operate in The Shadows and Dark of Night, Will Never Be Successful In Their Twisted Vision of An Exclusive "Countryclub" Of Priviledge and Corruption.
WE were once Children, Now we are Awake Alive And Aware of those that Plot to Control Us With Fear.
THEY ARE AFRAID OF THE PEOPLES POWER Because GOD IS ON THE SIDE OF GOOD And Blinds THEM with THE LIGHT OF TRUTH!
BE STRONG, and Hold Love in yoir Heart!❤
Friday, February 7 Report this
TomBoucher
Thanks for reporting real peoples' voices--when cartoon representations of views prevail, truth is harder to make out. While the rally was happening I had to be elsewhere, but it turned into a chance to talk to a guy who had strong MAGA views. I think we both respected each other's views, as long as it was one on one.
Friday, February 7 Report this
JW
Cry me a river. These people are completely fine with the levers of power being used against their opponents, but as soon as the shoe is on the other foot they're a bunch of freedom fighters.
Enjoy your rah rah rah because it's not making an iota of difference.
Friday, February 7 Report this
ViaLocal
I am so happy to see that people are saying WTF to this administration, not just in this state but in ALL 50 states. Keep fighting, even if they try to tell you it doesn't make a difference. We WILL keep fighting!
Friday, February 7 Report this
MariaRuth
Thank you for covering this rally/protest in the JOLT. Having free, independent, local media is vital--now more than ever. That the 50501 event happened at all, with no sponsoring organization and on very short notice, hows the power of an individual to make a difference. Just one person planted the seed of 50501 rally on social media and suddenly there are ~2,000 people in Olympia marching as a community to resist the illegal and unjust orders oozing out of the Project 2025 playbook. Good on you Olympians and everyone who traveled to the capital on Wednesday in the cold and snow to show up for democracy. Onward!
Friday, February 7 Report this
RedskinPatriot
I love how people call Donald Trump a fascist... He is literally dismantling the executive branch, that means he is giving up powers that he holds - fascist? Good Lord our education system is terrible.
Besides, I would ask why are you not/NOT mad that this spending with our taxpayer dollars happened. I mean $50mil for Hamas? They are a terrorist organization! USAID is a slush fund for the left's agenda. Who cares if it is Elon Musk that is looking at this - I mean I'm old enough to remember when Leftists wanted more government transparency???
Elon Musk is not elected - he is an advisor just like Jefferey Immelt who was advising Barrack Obama - oh BTW Obama gave a bail out to GE of $50...BBBBillion dollars that was never paid back. You people had no problems when George Sorors was advising Biden's administration. The hypocrisy is thick and disgusting.
Donald Trump is not going after "reproduction" rights - it is left to the states... I would even go as far as saying why do we want state level government getting involved. Even Marriage - why does the Federal government need to know who is married and how much we make unless it is to keep people in a constant class-warfare state of mind...
Bottom Line - this is the first time in my lifetime a President ran a campaign and is now doing what he said he would do! Period!!! Oh ya - and the majority of Americans voted for him!!!!!!! Thank God!
Friday, February 7 Report this
HappyOlympian
Of all the horrors, firing all the Inspector Generals astounding. Every govt agency needs one, and if one is hoping to curtail waste and corruption, firing the IGs a leap in the wrong direction. Booooooo
Friday, February 7 Report this
ViaLocal
Look at all the plane crashes that have happened since he took office. Innocent people dying.
Friday, February 7 Report this
Boatyarddog
Redskin Patriot.... you believe those Lies about 50 mil. On condoms for HAMAS. Do you really believe these gross, absurd crap Lies from Trump. 50 mil. Might have beej costs of condoms... but they were given to citizens in Africa to prevent AIDS from spreading thru their population. Your not telling truth, and are A TRUE MINORITY IN OLYMPIA. The "levers of The Executive Branch have been Transferred to THE (DOGE)! Elon Musk! AWAY from Congress... that Includes Your Data and ability to control much of your pension, stocks, and any other "rights" You THINK you have.
Wait and WATCH YOUR RIGHTS BE TAKEN AWAY, because YOU TOO! WILL feel the Daggar of Trumps Vengence Streak.
Friday, February 14 Report this