ATLANTA, GA. – On Wednesday afternoon, several hundred people gathered outside the Georgia State Capitol to Protesters President Donald Trump’s policies, especially his stance on transgender rights, deportations, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The protest was part of a nationwide movement called 50501, which stands for 50 protests, 50 states, one day. The goal of the movement is to raise awareness about issues like transgender rights, immigration, and abortion rights, all of which have been affected by Trump’s second-term policies.

Protesters came from different parts of the country to show their anger and demand change. Among them were young activists Ashleigh Hammon and Van Waldron, who traveled from Hartwell, Georgia, to attend the rally.

“I’m here for my mother and her partner who cannot go out today and fight for their rights,” said Hammon, who expressed her sadness over the loss of freedom for LGBTQ+ people. “I want to keep fighting for our rights, for the love we should all be allowed to have,” she added.

The Fight for Transgender Rights and Immigration

Waldron, a 20-year-old transgender man, shared how difficult it is to live in a world where people are becoming more openly hostile to LGBTQ+ individuals. “I’ve been threatened when leaving my house,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean we should stay quiet. We want to be bold too.”

The protesters were calling for an end to laws and policies that harm transgender people and immigrants. They also expressed anger over the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants and the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in 2022 to overturn Roe v. Wade, which took away women’s right to choose.

Throughout the protest, the crowd chanted slogans supporting reproductive rights and the rights of immigrants. The protesters walked from Centennial Olympic Park to the state Capitol, staying on the sidewalks and respecting the rules.

Trump and Musk Targeted by Protesters

President Trump was a major target of the protesters, with many holding signs that criticized his policies and called for his impeachment. Some protesters also voiced anger at Elon Musk, calling out his influence on politics and business.

“I think corporations have corrupted our politics,” said Braden Hoskovec, a protester. “Elon Musk is making it clear he thinks he can do whatever he wants, and that’s dangerous.”

At the Capitol, protesters took up positions on the stairs and across the street to continue their demonstration. Police kept an eye on the crowd, but the protest remained peaceful, with no major incidents.

Support for Immigrants and Abortion Rights

As the protest continued, the focus shifted to immigration, with a smaller group marching from the Capitol to the nearby ICE office. Many immigrants face fear and uncertainty in the U.S. due to Trump’s immigration policies, and the protesters were demanding better treatment for undocumented immigrants.

Noe Lorenzo, whose parents are undocumented, spoke about the struggles his family faces. “My parents have worked here their whole lives, and now they fear getting arrested just for going to work,” he said. Lorenzo also shared how he has had difficult conversations with his parents about how to deal with ICE.

One protester, Brittany Blount, spoke about her personal experience and the importance of keeping abortion rights accessible. “Think about if it was your daughter,” she said, referring to how some young women may lose their right to choose. “I had the choice to have my son at 14, and I want other girls to have that same choice.”

A Stand for Immigrants and Minorities

In addition to the LGBTQ+ and immigrant rights flags, several protesters also waved Palestinian flags, showing solidarity with the Palestinian people. Activist Jawahir Sharwany, originally from Jerusalem, emphasized that the fight for justice is global. “We’re not backing down. We will keep fighting for immigrants, people of color, and gender equality,” Sharwany said.

She also warned that more protests like this will continue as long as people feel their rights are under attack. “We’ve fought for the Palestinians, and now we’re fighting for everyone else,” she said.