Washington DC—Tens of thousands rallied at the Washington Monument in a mass rebuke of the Trump-Musk regime, its disjointed takedown of Federal agencies, its wayward foreign and economic policies, and its policies eroding individual rights. The rally was a part of nationwide actions in major metropolitan centers, reflecting the resistance movement is getting stronger and still growing.
There were far more there than the limited projection of the sound system could reach. So if anything the event was more of a demonstration that there were many feeling the same way about the Trump-Musk policies—if one could even call them policies—because policies themselves imply thoughtful consideration of cause and effect with the objective of achieving a meaningful outcome.
The Trump and DOGE activities of the last three months have upended Federal government, ruined foreign relations with allies the U.S. cultivated for centuries, crashed the economic outlook, disrupted trade, endangered national security, eliminated education, health and healthcare agencies, stressed the judiciary, decimated foreign aid, and have resulted in the near takedowns of many other institutions, an exhaustive list of which would not fit here. The Trump-Musk actions since January have broken down, not built up. The policy authors have published no public plan for what they intend to replace with the institutions they have broken or eliminated.
At the top of on the hill of the Washington Monument it was difficult to hear speakers from the Sylvan amphitheater but one didn’t need to hear them. The handmade signs bore the messages speakers otherwise would have told.
One sign read, “No Tariffs For Penguins,” criticizing Trump’s new round of tariffs imposed last Wednesday which crashed markets on Thursday and Friday. The tariffs targeted nearly every U.S. ally as well as several Antarctic islands uninhabited by humans. The Antarctic islands happen to have tens of thousands of penguins living there so tariffs on them are not likely to be a source of much revenue for Trump’s coffers.
Another sign read, “You’re Gonna Hear Her Roar,” in a nod towards women’s equality and women’s rights to healthcare. The LGBTQIA community was well represented with flags and messages as well.
“Protect Federal Workers,” read another and many unions affected by the Federal agency takeovers brought their signature signs as well.
Yet another read, “Trump Hires Meritricious Not Merit,” with photos of his cabinet, people wholly unqualified for the positions they hold. For example, last week Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was found sending National Defense Intelligence over an unsecured phone application, spilling it to the press, and potentially endangering service personnel involved in a top secret mission. It was a violation of nearly all top level security protocols, violations which he denied. A Secretary of Defense should at a minimum obey the regulations and the laws he is obligated to enforce among his subordinates. Another cabinet member, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has disavowed vaccines, yet as Secretary of Health and Human Services, holds the key position overseeing the national health and well-being of millions of Americans.
The sign, “Protect Student Speech,” was a reference to the recent attacks on First Amendment freedoms under duress by Trump’s recent policy of rounding up students who have written or spoken against the Israeli government’s attacks on Gaza.
A group that calls itself Third Act of Virginia brought a large hand-painted banner reading “Stop DOGE,” with eight people carrying it. Another of their associates built a giant puppet of Elon Musk giving a Nazi salute in a criticism of his far-right nationalist beliefs and seeming support of fascism.
An educator brought a colorful compilation of twenty lessons that can sustain resistance through authoritarian upheaval. These lessons were taken from Timothy Snyder’s book “On Tyranny: 20 Lessons From The 20th Century.” The lessons will become more important in the months and years to come as this regime continues its burn-it-all-down power drubbing of democratic norms. They are lessons worthy of recitation:
1) Do not obey in advance.
2) Defend institutions.
3) Beware of the 1-state party.
4) Take responsibility for the face of the world.
5) Remember professional ethics.
6) Beware of paramilitaries.
7) Be reflective if you must be armed.
8) Stand out.
9) Be kind to our language.
10) Believe in truth.
11) Investigate.
12) Make eye contact and small talk.
13) Practice corporeal politics.
14) Establish a private life.
15) Contribute to good causes.
16) Learn from peers in other countries.
17) Listen for dangerous words.
18) Be calm when the unthinkable arrives.
19) Be a patriot.
20) Be as courageous as you can.
But there was more than signage to appeal to the senses. Others brought drums and musicians played beats to common chants as hundreds joined in. Some danced and others, even children joined their parents in chants.
There were plenty of people who exchanged information on how to get more deeply involved in the resistance movement. Someone asked aloud if large protests make a difference. Do they lead to anything constructive? Well, remaining mute and immobile gives fascism the green light to flourish. Organizing, mobilizing, building community, making connections, and taking a stand against authoritarian regimes can stop fascism in its tracks.
