By Mary A. Crisafulli
DELHI—On March 4, well over fifty people rallied in Delhi Courthouse Square. The Delaware County Democratic Committee organized the rally in collaboration with the 50501 movement, which stands for fifty protests, fifty states, and one movement. This event marked the third nationwide protest organized by 50501 with the first taking place on Feb. 5. The group says protests are a "rapid response to the anti-democratic and illegal actions of the Trump administration and its plutocratic allies."
Organizers claim the grassroots movement was initiated with no budget, centralized structure, or official backing. While it is unclear how the trend ignited it has had a far reach with demonstrators assembling in towns and cities across the U.S. The movement has since gained partnerships with Political Revolution, No Voice Unheard, Build The Resistance, and Voices of Florida. An email to the group's press contact yielded no response by press time.
Local 50501 organizer and Democrat Michele Frazier believes the movement started with an older gentleman going viral on TikTok.
NPR reported the idea began in January with a Reddit post by user Evolved_Fungi. The idea gained traction on several social media platforms, NPR reports.
In Delhi, demonstrators held signs asking for Trump's impeachment and removal of Elon Musk. Others pleaded for the protection of democracy, Medicaid, social security, veterans benefits, and other government programs. Many signs were in support of continued aid for Ukraine.
The Delaware County Democratic Committee said the rally was a way to unite against oppression and dictatorship, to defend democracy, and to stand up for human rights. One speaker noted that it is significant for the rally to take place in Delaware County so people can see that Democrats exist out here.
For more information on 50501 visit fiftyfifty.one.
On the day of the rally 19th District Congressman Josh Riley responded to President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress. “In Upstate New York, we believe if you work hard and play by the rules, you should get a fair shot. But tonight we heard about a shameless tax giveaway to billionaires like Elon Musk paid for by newborns who need healthcare, hard-working families who need relief, and nursing home residents who need round-the-clock care. I don’t know a single Upstate New Yorker who thinks billionaires deserve another break while everyone else gets screwed—I sure as hell don’t," he said.
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