‘No Kings Day’ Presidents’ Day protest highlights concerns for democracy

Molly Manning, Contributing Writer

Hundreds of protestors amassed at Capitol Square at 2 p.m. on Presidents’ Day, Feb. 17. Bearing American flags, Virginia flags, assorted rainbow flags and signs with statements like “Stop the coup” and “You can’t spell felon without Elon,” the crowd echoed chants such as “The people united will never be defeated.”

Many participants claimed that the protest was part of a movement for “No King’s Day,” according to NBC12. This protest was a second iteration of the “#50501” protests, an idea born out of a Reddit movement for 50 protests in 50 states in 1 day against the “anti-democratic and illegal actions of the Trump administration and its plutocratic allies,” according to #50501.

Lisa Sinervo, a member of the Richmond community, attended the protest dressed as a king, citing the separation of powers as the reason for her attire. 

“It has completely deteriorated under Trump, and because he’s someone who’s not really interested in public welfare, it’s a really serious problem that someone doesn’t respect the separation of state,” Sinervo said.

The #50501 press release describes the movement as a coalition for justice, transparency and ending executive overreach. The release also includes that the initial mission of the organization is to stand against the harmful impacts of the current presidential administration and Project 2025.

Park ranger Maggie Markley said they drove from Newport News for the protest. 

“I came out because Elon Musk — that’s the real hard hitter. It sucks that as a people we all are very divided, but it’s nice to know that Elon Musk is pissing everybody off just enough where you can get enough people to show up,” Markley said.

Other signs at the protest included phrases such as “The emperor has no clothes,” “Make integrity presidential again” and “No dictators, no kings.” Many community members of all ages were present, including families with children. Both Capitol and State Police were present on the outskirts and throughout the crowd monitoring the event. 

Adrienne Voorhis, a Richmond community member, shared that she was at the protest out of fear for the state of the country.

“I’m out here because I’m terrified that we are headed the wrong direction,” Voorhis said. “I would like to maintain our democracy, and I think that the wrong elected people are in government now, but we should be able to elect the people who are representing us and President Musk is not elected.”

Supporters and volunteers for various Democratic candidates, including Senator Ghazala Hashmi were present with clipboards collecting signatures to get their candidates on the ballot. A worker for the Hashmi campaign said they came because they felt there would be many there sympathetic to their cause but also to voice their own support for the senator. 

Jon Baker, a former organic chemistry professor at VCU, said he is an electric vehicle advocate and that he used to support Musk when he first began to promote EVs as a climate solution. 

“I’m here to protest everything that he’s doing, not just helping the most anti-environment president in history be elected, but his infusion into the government right now must be illegal, it’s just mind-boggling,” Baker said.

A group of counter–protesters, including Jessi Blakely, state director of The Family Foundation, a Christian lobbying organization, were also present holding signs with messages like “I voted Donald J. Trump, emperor of democracy.” 

Blakely said she was there so that the people at the protest could speak with someone who represents what the majority of Americans voted for. 

The protest was preceded by a morning march from Abner Clay Park in support of working families. This march was to support voting rights, housing, schools and union jobs, according to Virginia Organizing. 

The protest concluded at 3 p.m., at which time the remainder of the crowd began to sing the national anthem.