(Image via npr.org)
Staff writer: Gwen Pichette
Email: gpichette@umassd.edu
Amidst the slew of controversial laws imposed by the newest presidential administration, one of the most widespread protests since Trump’s second term took place on Saturday, April 5th.
With a massive turnout of 1,300 protests across all 50 states, it is only expected to be the first of many.
The “Hands Off” protest, organized by the grassroots organization 50501 Movement, with the mantra “50 states, 50 protests, one day,” has garnered national attention. The participants and organizers gathered together to call attention to a wide range of issues from immigrant rights to reproductive rights to protests for federal agency.
The same group called for an even larger protest on April 19th.
50501 declared that for the next protest, they wanted 3.5% of the U.S. population to turn out—which equates to approximately 11 million people across the nation.
Many like Patty Kim, a retired federal worker who attended a D.C. rally with her husband, felt compelled to show up due to the most recent actions taken by the Trump administration. In a statement to NPR, she said, “This is first time that I am trying to regularly participate. I felt so frustrated and paralyzed by the bunch of things that are going on that undermine human rights and humanity in this country that I love, that I had to do something.”
Many Democratic members of Congress also made appearances, calling the recent administrative actions a concerning break in constitutional norms.
“Our founders wrote a Constitution that did not begin with ‘We the dictators,'” Representative Jamie Raskin, D-Md spoke to an eager crowd of protesters gathered on the National Mall in D.C.
For people like Stan and Cindy Prusik, the recent market and foreign relations were also a huge reason for turning up to protests.
The Prusiks’, who attended the D.C. rally, told ABC News they are worried about the tanking economy and how it will impact the future.
“I don’t sleep well. I’m scared. We’ve got money, we’ve saved all of our lives, our retirement一it’s not going to be there. I’m afraid of what is going to happen with the world, let alone the American markets. I’m upset we’ve made enemies out of countries that were formerly our friends. It’s just all so uncertain.”
Many also hold their breaths amidst rumors that Trump could enact the Insurrection Act of 1807 and Martial law.
The Insurrection Act of 1807 is a law that allows the president to use the federal military in order to suppress protests. The National Guard acts as civil law enforcement.
Many worry that the federal government having access to armed forces could lead to an abuse of power.
The Insurrection Act has only been invoked in extreme circumstances over the past century.
Most recently, it was invoked by President George H.W. Bush for the 1992 Los Angeles riots after police killed Rodney King.
This was followed by chaos, with 2,300 civilians injured, more than 12,000 arrested, and 63 dead.
Martial law, “refers to the replacement of civilian government by military rule, and the suspension of civilian legal processes for military powers.”
Martial law continues for an unspecified amount of time, and basic civil liberties are suspended while the law is in order.
While it has been declared 68 times by both federal and state officials, it has not been declared by a president since the Civil War.
So why now?
When Trump entered office back in January, he signed an executive order which effectively declared a national emergency at the U.S-Mexico border amidst immigration conflicts.
Within the order, it is mandated that within 90 days of the proclamation, both the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security are required to submit a report detailing the conditions at the border. Additionally, they are to include “recommendations regarding additional actions that may be necessary to obtain complete operational control of the southern border, including whether to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807.”
Some officials celebrate the increased security, like Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who took to X to celebrate alleged security improvements at the border: “In February, there were just 8,326 apprehensions at the U.S. Mexico border. That is lowest number in recorded history. President @realDonaldTrump has delivered a powerful message and the world is taking notice: America’s borders are CLOSED to lawbreakers.”
Others like Brett Wagner, a retired professor from national security decision making for the United States Naval War College, warn that such military power could put civilians in grave danger: “Many of us are now holding our collective breath, knowing that the report and what it contains could put us on the slippery slope toward unchecked presidential power under a man with an affinity for iron fisted dictators.”