OLYMPIA — More than 350 protesters, many of them high school students and young adults, gathered at Heritage Park overlooking the Washington Capitol on a rain-soaked Saturday afternoon to mark a year of nationwide demonstrations tied to the 50501 movement, protesting what organizers described as executive overreach by the Trump administration.
The “Resist, Persist, Repeat!” rally ran from noon to roughly 3 p.m., led by Evergreen Resistance, a Washington chapter of the 50501 movement.
In Olympia, demonstrators lined the sidewalks along Fifth Avenue and marched around Capitol Lake. Handmade signs criticized federal immigration enforcement, corporate influence in government and the expansion of executive power, while chants of “Make good trouble!” and “Power to the people!” echoed across the water.
Several attendees declined to be quoted by name, citing concerns about potential backlash or personal safety. Those who spoke anonymously said anger and urgency drove them to protest, particularly around immigration enforcement and what they see as a broader erosion of democratic norms.
Throughout the afternoon, speakers emphasized voter registration, state-level advocacy and sustained civic participation beyond rallies. Tables offering voter registration and information about upcoming actions dotted the park, underscoring a push to turn protest energy into long-term engagement.
Organizers framed the event as both a celebration of a year of protests and a call for continued civic engagement — particularly among younger generations they say will inherit the consequences of today’s political decisions.
The 50501 movement — shorthand for 50 protests, 50 states, one movement — began last year as a decentralized response to policies and actions organizers called antidemocratic and illegal. What started as a single day of coordinated protests has since grown into a national network of organizers and allied groups, drawing millions across the country.
A noticeable portion of the Olympia crowd was made up of high school students and young adults, some attending their first protest. Several said recent scrutiny of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — particularly following the killings of American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti — motivated them to attend.
A recent PBS News poll found that nearly two-thirds of Americans believe ICE has gone too far in enforcing immigration laws, an increase from last summer. Disapproval has risen sharply among Democrats and independents, while Republicans largely remain supportive, according to the poll.
The rally also featured musical performances, including renditions of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” and “Tear The Fascists Down,” reinforcing themes of collective action and resistance that organizers said are central to the movement.
Organizers with Evergreen Resistance encouraged attendees to stay engaged, urging them to “save the date” for a planned demonstration at the Capitol on March 28.
