Atlanta Protest
On Saturday, April 5, 2025, an estimated 28,000 protesters attended the Atlanta Hands-Off protest, according to a 50501 Georgia State Lead. 50501, the grassroots movement that stands for “50 Protests, 50 States, One Movement,” teamed up with 21 different activist groups, including Indivisible, NAACP Georgia State Conference, Working Families Power, and Regulate Guns NOT Women, to create Atlanta’s Hands-Off protest.
Together, the groups mapped out a three-and-a-half-mile route from Piedmont Park to the Georgia Capitol. Protesters marched through the streets with a visible Atlanta Police presence following throughout.
As thousands of protestors marched down MLK Jr. Drive, the Central Presbyterian Church rang their bells in support of the group, as well as providing water and snacks for anyone who needed it.
Upon reaching the Capitol, the crowd moved into Liberty Plaza to continue the rally. With turnout far exceeding expectations, a crowd management plan was quickly enacted. A post on the 50501_ga Instagram says, “due to overwhelming turnout — over 20,000 strong — we’re expanding our final gathering areas to accommodate everyone safely.”
At the Liberty Plaza, protestors cheered and booed as 22 speakers with different jobs, backgrounds and perspectives stepped up to the podium. The speakers touched on a variety of issues, including the attacks on immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community, the federal firings in USAID and the CDC, the dismantling of the Department of Education, as well as the “unchecked disinformation, political interference, and the public health collapse,” a direct quote from former CDC worker Abby Tighe.
A 50501 Georgia volunteer, Brandy Booth, reflects on the day, saying “I was proud to march alongside friends and neighbors in opposition to this terrifying, anti-democratic, authoritarian regime. I will fight for my country and our future. I will show up to every protest I am able, to stand for myself and for those who are unable to stand with me.”
Nationwide
In Atlanta alone, turnout exceeded expectations by over 23,000 people — a clear signal of growing unrest.
According to the 50501 Movement Instagram page, “5.2 million people stood up to say HANDS OFF our democracy,” referencing the total number of protesters around the nation.
From Washington D.C. to Miami, Florida, there were over 1,200 protest events throughout the country. The movement even reached beyond U.S. borders, with solidarity protests held in Paris and London.
An abundance of creative signs was seen that read slogans like “Tax the Rich,” “Don the Con” and “Stop the Coup.” In Atlanta, two protesters held one large banner with a “Brokeback Mountain” image that had been photoshopped to have Trump and Putin’s faces on it.
Why Does it Matter?
50501 was founded shortly after President Trump’s inauguration to unite like-minded individuals in opposition to his administration.
According to the International Center of Nonviolent Conflict, “no government can withstand a challenge of 3.5% of its population without either accommodating the movement or (in extreme cases) disintegrating.” As the 50501 Movement continues to gain traction, they get closer and closer to their goal of 3.5% of the population protesting.
Since the creation of r/50501 in January 2025, there have been protests once a week, with the April 5 protest being the largest. If 50501 continues to grow, the current administration will have no choice but to respond to their demands.
But 50501 isn’t just marching — they’re building. The movement has supported national boycotts, demanded public town halls, and empowered community organizing. They’ve connected with hundreds of activist groups nationwide, including Political Revolution, No Voice Unheard and Build the Resistance.
What began as a Reddit page has grown into a national network. Today, 50501 has more than 270,000 followers on the platform where it all began.
