Demonstrators gather on Presidents Day to protest Trump, Musk
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About a thousand demonstrators gathered outside the Oregon State Capitol Monday to protest against President Trump’s administration and Elon Musk’s involvement in the federal government in what many denounced as a coup.
Similar protests were held Monday across the country at state Capitols and in Washington D.C.
Most protesters stood on both sidewalks of Northeast Center Street from Northeast Winter to Capitol streets. Others were on Capitol Mall and adjacent streets waving American, transgender pride and peace flags.
Many vehicles driving by on Center Street honked in support of demonstrators. Those protesting included people from Salem as well as other Willamette Valley communities.
The demonstration remained peaceful, with several police officers observing and no visible counter protestors.
Demonstrators were loud and energetic.
“I’m here because I believe in democracy and not in voter suppression,” said Lola White, 40, of Salem. “I work serving folks who are Medicaid-eligible and trans folks, and I believe they should have every access to health, well-being and all the good things that our country has to offer.”
She carried a sign reading “They want 1939 Germany, let’s give them 1789 France,” a reference to the French Revolution.
Salem police estimated the crowd at 1,000 people as of 1 p.m.
The protest mirrored a similar event held Feb. 5 in Salem organized by the 50501 movement, a decentralized grassroots group that fights to “uphold the Constitution and end executive overreach,” according to their website. Members of the group handed out pamphlets that read “Happy Not My President’s Day” and “Reject Project 2025.”
Most chants were against President Trump and Elon Musk while others were in support of immigrants, federal workers, Social Security and LGBTQ communities. Demonstrators also chanted “No one is illegal, power to the people” and “Where is Congress, do your job.”
James Bush, 64, drove from Lafayette to Salem to attend the protest.
“Our government is being gutted like a fish real fast, and if we don’t wake up, there will be nothing left very soon,” he said. “We’re trying to wake people up before it’s too late.”
Contact reporter Alan Cohen: [email protected].
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Alan Cohen is an intern at the Salem Reporter and an undergraduate at Willamette University. Born and raised in Spain, he has also been involved in student journalism for three years, and is passionate about bringing a voice to underrepresented communities through ethical reporting.
