(The Center Square) – Hundreds of Pennsylvanians from across the state gathered in Harrisburg to join protesters across the country responding to President Donald Trump’s first two weeks in office. Additional protests were held in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
The grassroots demonstrations answered the rallying call to hold 50 protests in 50 states in one day to reject Project 2025, a far-right vision created by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, to reorganize the federal government many fear is coming to fruition under Trump.
The president has disavowed any connection to the plan and his popularity in the state overall endures after switching the commonwealth back to red in November.
The movement is spontaneous and decentralized with data compiled on several online hubs. Information about the protests has been disseminated online through apps like Reddit and Bluesky using the hashtags #50501 and #BuildTheResistance.
One document with proposed talking points included concerns about Elon Musk’s DOGE staff gaining access to data within the Treasury Department, shutting down USAID, dismissal of FBI agents involved in January 6th investigations, and the firing of Inspectors General without giving advance notice to Congress.
It also outlines the potentially dire consequences of halting foreign aid with particular emphasis on the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, a program run by the State Department. According to the program’s website, the aid has saved over 26 million lives in over 50 countries.
Other issues raised by organizers include ICE and deportation, DEI policy, LGBQT rights, racism, and women’s rights. Many protestors characterize the administration as “fascist” and say the country is quickly becoming an oligarchy. Organizers emphasized their commitment to nonviolence. Several posts reminded participants of their rights and how to stay safe at protests.
Speaking in Harrisburg was Malcolm Kenyatta, the Pennsylvania House representative recently elected a Vice Chair of the Democratic National Convention.
Onion columnist Maura Quint documented the day’s events on Bluesky, quoting Kenyatta as saying, “Every single day you’re going to get an alert on your phone that is designed to make you angry. That is designed to piss you off. That is designed to make you turn on your neighbor: all to distract you while billionaires pick your pockets.”
He was joined by Marc Stier, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Policy Center, Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Philadelphia. A list put out by Pennsylvania Policy Center also included Philadelphia City Council Member Kendra Brooks, activist Cameron Brown, and organizer Cristin Wormuth.
“The thing that we want is to make sure that our elected officials don’t just speak truth to power but promote policies that protect everyone in this moment,” said Rabb.
