On Feb. 5, hundreds gathered in downtown Carson City as part of the 50501 nationwide protests. Across the country, protests took place at every state capitol on Feb. 5 aimed at the recent executive orders relating to immigration, transgender rights, federal workers, and the economy.
Today, protesters came to the Nevada Capitol grounds for the second 50501 protest called “Not my President Protest,” referencing the protest being held on President’s Day.
The crowd size was significantly larger today in comparison to the Feb. 5 protest, with crowds lining on both sides of Carson Street stretching all the way from Musser Street to the end of the Capitol complex.
The 50501 movement is described as a “decentralized rapid response to anti-democratic and illegal actions of the Trump administration and its plutocratic allies” on their website.
“In just days, grassroots organizers — without any budget, centralized structure, or official backing — pulled off over 80 peaceful protests in all 50 states,” organizers wrote.
The idea of 50 protests in 50 states on one day started on reddit under the subreddit r/50501, and has now changed from “50 protests, 50 states, 1 day” to “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement” and there are more protests planned throughout the next few months.
There was an increased law enforcement presence downtown compared with the previous protest. A number of foot patrols, patrol cars and SUVs, motorcycle patrols, as well as multiple deputies on dirt bikes were on scene around Carson Street.
This is most likely after the previous protest that resulted in an alleged assault with a deadly weapon after a motorist allegedly pointed a firearm at a group of protesters. The incident was investigated by the Carson City Sheriff’s Office, who was able to identify the suspect. Their investigation was forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office, who will decide whether or not to pursue charges. Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong said the person will appear before a judge as part of a summons.
At today’s protest, there were no violent incidents reported, although a number of traffic issues were noted. In one case, a large semi truck had to engage their air brakes to avoid slamming into a vehicle in front of them.
While there were no counter-protesters seen on foot along Carson Street, there were a few vehicles driving through with motorists holding signs out the window which were pro-Trump/Musk. Others attached confederate flags or Trump flags to their vehicles, which were booed by protestors.
The next event scheduled by 50501 is “Hit Them in Their Profits” on Feb. 28, which is a call to not spend any money for 24 hours instituting an “economic blackout.”
In March there are two additional events of protest scheduled: the first is a week-long call to not purchase anything from Amazon from March 7-14 referred to as “Oligarch #1 Protest: Amazon.” The next is a call for a national workforce strike on March 14.
The March 14 strike calls for those who participate to not work during the 24 hour period.
Locally, the events seem to be spread entirely through social media, beginning on reddit subs such as r/Reno and r/CarsonCity.
Crowds had mostly dissipated by 4 p.m., although a dozen or so still remained on scene with signs.
