Hundreds of local activists gathered at the Santa Fe Capitol to participate in a national protest called the “50501 Movement” to denounce President Trump’s presidency and recent executive orders.
The movement aimed to create a nationwide protest across all 50 states to condemn Trump’s recent policies regarding mass deportations, the dismantling of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs in government entities, and a series of executive orders attacking transgender rights.
During the afternoon, many protesters convened in major cities, using the hashtag “#BuildResistance” to speak out against the recent ICE raids across the U.S. Meanwhile, other activists within the LGBTQ community sought to show their support for transgender rights.
“They’re out for blood. They’re trying to change things as fast as they can, and it’s undemocratic and treasonous,” said Michael Freed, a gay activist within the LGBTQ community. “It’s very Orwellian, full of double standards and misinformation—masters of propaganda, and unfortunately, too many people are falling for it,” he added.
Trump recently signed an executive order barring all transgender athletes from competing on women’s sports teams. Additionally, Trump has also directed agencies to investigate and potentially withhold federal funding from schools that oppose the recent policy changes.
When asked about the possibility of history repeating itself despite recent events surrounding Trump’s presidency, Michael Freed responded, “Rights are something you have to fight to preserve. People have fought for things like gay marriage and various legal rights, making them harder to take away. But what we’re witnessing now shows just how quickly it can happen—much like in Nazi Germany or the world of The Handmaid’s Tale. It’s easy to believe something like that could never occur, especially in such a short period of time. But history proves otherwise. We must remain vigilant.”
This announcement followed a wave of anti-LGBTQ bills that were introduced and passed across the U.S. According to a recent poll by the Movement Advancement Project, more than 25 states have enacted laws banning transgender youth from participating in school sports, including K-12 and some college institutions.
A recent report from the New York Times stated that Trump and his administration heavily referenced Title IX of 1972, which prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funding.
While many conservatives and GOP members cite a perceived “threat” in academic institutions, other recent poll data challenges this view. A study conducted by the UCLA Williams Institute found that among U.S. adults, only 0.5% (approximately 1.3 million adults) identify as transgender, with youth ages 13 to 17 representing an estimated 1.4% (around three hundred thousand) youth identifying as transgender by 2022.
“I think it’s something that’s scary to them. A lot of people stop at fear. They don’t push past it; they may question it and then demonize it. If there is some form of education about trans people and the LGBTQIA+ community, I believe a lot of the fear and hate will begin to fade,” said Christopher Ortiz, a trans youth who recently relocated to New Mexico from Oklahoma last year.
During a recent press conference, Trump addressed his decision to ban trans athletes, referencing the 2028 Olympics, stating, “My administration will not stand by and watch men beat and batter female athletes. We’re not going to let that happen; it’s ending right now.”
As more details emerge, some officials remain unclear about the full impact of Trump’s executive order.
Link to video: Protest at the Capitol
