April 19, 2025
For the second time this month, marches and rallies were held across the country in opposition to new Federal policies. Among the issues highlighted by activists today were the immigration/deportation process, firing Federal workers/eliminating Departments and Agencies, Respecting the Rule of Law, Protecting the Environment, Preserving Gay Rights, Support for Ukraine and Gaza, Opposition to Tariffs, Supporting Social Security and Pro-Democracy/Anti Fascism-Monarchy-Dictatorship. This mélange of causes marks a change from “Resistance” events held regularly during President Trump’s 1st term, which almost always centered one issue at a time, e.g. Family Separation or School Shootings.
Mobilizations in cities from San Francisco to Boston and Orlando drew thousands of people into the streets. Here in NYC they gathered in Bryant Park before heading across 42nd and turning uptown on Madison. The NY Times reported that the march stretched for 15 blocks. One activist, who also participated in the April 5th mobilization, observed that today’s event seemed to have more young people in the mix. The one 2 weeks ago skewed toward an older looking crowd, they said.
