Austin anti-Trump protest: Hundreds gather at Capitol

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Texas Capitol on Wednesday before taking to the streets.

Protests against Project 2025 and President Donald Trump's executive orders are planned on Wednesday at state Capitol buildings in all 50 states.

The 50 states, 50 protests, one day protest, also known as the 50501 Movement, are against Trump's actions during his first few weeks back in the White House.

What they're saying:

Jacqueline Nunez traveled from Houston. 

"I want to be the person that stands up for others and really makes sure that everybody has equality, no matter who they are or where they came from," she said. "I felt that while Houston has their own protests going on, I felt my voice was needed as well as my body to be here in Austin at the state Capitol."

Protesters are concerned about a variety of issues, including the crackdown on illegal immigration. 

"I'm concerned about the deportations, the toxicity within the government, as well as the kind of the racist comments towards others," Nunez said.

Mike and Mary Claire Munroe traveled from San Antonio.

"We've gone to our representatives' offices behind the glass windows and whatnot, but we wanted to be out here with other folks just showing up," Mike said.

"We are a grassroots movement. When I say that we started on Reddit, a handful of people stood up and said, ‘we are not going to take this.’ And that is what a grassroots movement is. They band together on Reddit," says protester Alexandra Haddix.

"I am also very afraid of the people that Trump is putting on the cabinet and people that are grossly, profoundly unprepared for the jobs that they're taking over," Mary Claire said.

"We demand Donald Trump step down or be removed from the presidency through impeachment. Conduct mass investigations into politicians appointed by Donald J. Trump. We also want to investigate Elon Musk's role within the US government and take appropriate action if any federal and state laws are found to be violated," says Haddix.

Earlier Wednesday morning, the Austin Justice Coalition also spoke against Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott's policies, specifically the attacks on DEI initiatives as well as ICE raids.

"This is not just about policy, this is not just about politics, this is a full-on unapologetic war against marginalized people," Chas Moore, founder of AJC, said. 

He urged community members to stand together. 

"Our response should be action, organizing, and building the future that we all deserve," he said.

Austin Capitol Protest 

Timeline:

3:00 p.m.: The protest is still underway at the Capitol.

2:14 p.m.: A large crowd has gathered outside the Capitol.

2:06 p.m.: The protest has returned to the Capitol.

1:52 p.m.: Austin police are warning motorists that there could be delays in downtown Austin because of the protests.

1:35 p.m.: The march has taken to the streets around the Capitol.

1:33 p.m.: The protesters have begun to march.

1:00 p.m.: The speakers are still going outside the Texas Capitol.

12:15 p.m.: Hear from some of the demonstrators at today's rally.

11:52 a.m.: Law enforcement is in the area. 

11:35 a.m.: The crowd of protesters is growing at the Capitol.

Karen Miller

11:25 a.m.: Karen Miller, an Austin resident, says she has been protesting since the Vietnam War. She says she was concerned by the pardons for people convicted for their roles the January 6 assault on the capitol.

11:24 a.m.: "No more Musk" chants break out in the crowd.

11:23 a.m.: Some of the protesters traveled from Houston and San Antonio to make their voices heard in Austin.

11:22 a.m.: A large crowd gathered outside of the Texas Capitol at 11 a.m. Several of the protesters carried signs decrying President Trump's policies and Elon Musk.

Texas Reject Project 2025 protest

The protest in Austin will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the state capitol, according to posts online.

There is also a protest scheduled in El Paso at San Jacinto Plaza from 4 to 6 p.m.

What is the 50501 Movement?

The backstory:

The 50501 Movement is spearheading the state Capitol protests, with a website and social media accounts dedicated to their cause. 

READ MORE: What is Project 2025?

The movement aims to support the free expression of "regular Americans' dissatisfaction with the embrace of Project 2025 by our government," and has scheduled protests at every state Capitol in the country (start times vary, but most are scheduled to begin around noon or later local time). Trump last fall denied he had anything to do with Project 2025. 

Amid concerns over the legitimacy of the 50501 Movement, organizers posted on social media saying: "We've heard your concerns about the legitimacy of the 50501 movement. Up to this point, we have been entirely grassroots organized and we here have done the best we can to provide some structure and address concerns, but we've been looking for better options too. So we are monstrously relieved to get to share this news with you: We are now partnered with Political Revolution."

50501 Movement says violence of any kind will not be tolerated. It also encourages attendees to "stick together, stay strong and remember that our collective strength lies in unity."

"This movement is about more than just one day — it's about standing firm in our beliefs and seeing it through, no matter the challenges we may face. When we support one another, we make our voices louder and more powerful."

RELATED: A Day Without Immigrants movement held Monday nationwide

50 states, 50 protests locations and times

Here's a list of protest locations and times (all times in local time): 

  • Arizona: State Capitol at noon
  • California: State Capitol Building at noon
  • Colorado: State Capitol Building at noon
  • Florida: Tampa City Hall at 3 p.m.
  • Georgia: Centennial Park at 2 p.m.
  • Idaho: State Capitol steps at 11 a.m.
  • Illinois: State Capitol Building at noon
  • Indiana: State Capitol Building at noon
  • Iowa: State Capitol at noon
  • Kansas: State Capitol Building at 4 p.m.
  • Kentucky: State Capitol Building at noon
  • Massachusetts: Statehouse at noon
  • Maine: State Capitol at noon
  • Michigan: State Capitol at noon
  • Minnesota: St. Paul Technical College at noon
  • Mississippi: State Capitol at noon
  • Missouri: State Capitol Building at noon
  • Montana: State Capitol at noon
  • Nebraska: State Capitol at 4 p.m.
  • Nevada: State Capitol Building at noon
  • New Hampshire: Statehouse at noon
  • New Jersey: Statehouse at noon
  • New York: Capitol Building at noon and New York City Hall at 2 p.m.
  • North Carolina: State Capitol Building at noon
  • Ohio: Statehouse at noon and Willard Park at 4 p.m.
  • Oklahoma: State Capitol at noon
  • Oregon: State Capitol Building at noon
  • Pennsylvania: State Capitol Complex at 11 a.m., Williams S. Moorhead Federal Building in Pittsburgh at 11 a.m. and Philadelphia City Hall at noon
  • South Dakota: Downtown Federal Courthouse at 3 p.m.
  • Tennessee: State Capitol at 1:30 p.m.
  • Texas: State Capitol at 11 a.m. and San Jacinto Plaza at 4 p.m.
  • Utah: State Capitol at noon
  • Vermont: State Capitol at noon
  • Virginia: Bell Tower at 12:30 p.m.
  • Washington: Tivoli Fountain North Lawn at 2:30 p.m.
  • Washington D.C.: Capitol Building at 11 a.m.
  • Wisconsin: State Capitol at 11 a.m.
  • Wyoming: Capitol at 2 p.m.

Previous Trump Protests

Dig deeper:

This is the latest protest against President Trump and his actions. Earlier this week, A Day Without Immigrants was held across the country, highlighting the role immigrants play in local communities. There were also protests last weekend in response to the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration.

A large anti-ICE protest filled a street in North Austin on Monday night.

Austin police say that two people were arrested at the protest.

APD said the gatherings were "mostly peaceful" but stated there was a group of "agitators" that engaged in violent behavior, throwing rocks at police officers and driving recklessly.

The Source: Information in this article comes from 50501 Movement's website, social media posts, Austin Police and FOX 9.

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