More large-scale protests, rallies and other actions against the Trump administration are set to take place in cities across the U.S. this weekend, with organizers hoping to seize on what they say is growing resistance against anti-democratic policies.

On Saturday, the 50501 Movement, which brands itself as a decentralized network, is holding what its calling a “day of action.” The name stands for 50 protests in 50 states and one movement — referring to the group’s first nationwide protest at state capitols. 

Hundreds of local protests, teach-ins, and mutual aid efforts are planned in response to what organizers say are “anti-democratic and illegal actions of the Trump administration.”

The White House did not respond to NPR’s request for comment.

The 50501 movement, which has orchestrated protests since early February, is one of several anti-Trump movements. The “Tesla Takedown” campaign will be holding more than 100 protests this weekend, according to organizers. That group is protesting Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s influential role in the Trump administration.

Hunter Dunne, the national press coordinator for the 50501 Movement, says that Tesla Takedown rallies and other similar efforts are part of the same decentralized movement. The sprawling effort encompasses any protest guided by four tenets, according to Dunne.

“We’re pro-democracy, we’re in favor of preserving the Constitution, we’re against executive overreach, and we’re non-violent,” he said.

While the “Hands Off!” rallies on April 5 were billed as a day of protests, Saturday broadens the resistance effort to include community-focused events.

“It’s all about actions that support your community against the Trump administration — strengthening your community so that they can weather these assaults on democracy,” Dunne said.
 
In Southern California, for example, the 50501 spokesman says food drives are planned to support people who continue to struggle in the wake of the January wildfires as well as those who may be affected by the rising price of goods amid President Trump’s tariffs.

“Resistance is about more than just protesting,” Dunne said. “It’s about strengthening your community so that they can weather these assaults on democracy, and so that they can get ready to make a better future for everyone.”

The 50501 campaign says it has quickly built momentum since its first call to action. For its nationwide protest on Feb. 5, the organization estimates there were about 80 protests in 88 cities.

The effort expects to see close to 1,000 events nationwide this weekend, according to Dunne: “And probably more than that — we won’t know about until after they happen.”

Likewise, as Tesla Takedowns enters its 11th week of protests, it says momentum hasn’t slowed and has consistently seen about 150 actions globally each week.

READ MORE: Why visit Washington DC

First impressions: I loved the romantic turret-style architecture (Romanesque revival style to give it its official description) of the hotel’s corner facade: the 12-storey hotel has been built around Washington’s oldest apartment building, known as the Harrison, built in 1888. The lobby is a cosy welcome warmth from the winter’s cold outside.

The automatic doors are activated by waving at a circular red light on the wall and then jumping back when the doors unexpectedly open outwards rather than inwards.

Rooms: My ninth floor home away from home had a large bedroom and good-sized bathroom plus a little office nook tucked away around the corner. It overlooked a glass-fronted office building where no workers appeared during my entire four-day stay, and offered a glimpse of the Capitol. Plenty of plugs helped keep my laptop and phone fully juiced.

Bathroom: The black-and-white tiled floor was reassuringly non-slip and the large shower came equipped with Pharmacopia body wash and shampoo and conditioner.

Food and drink: I mostly breakfasted in the bodega downstairs, choosing a different option from the cafe-style menu every day. I learned that ordering a flat white gave me a black coffee to which I was expected to add my own milk. The bodega offered a selection of drinks – including wine in a can! – but no milk so the server got used to me asking for a cup of milk to take to my room in preference over the US creamer on offer there. Arrels is a Spanish-styled dining room and the Arlo also has a roof-top bar.

Facilities: Wi-Fi was complimentary and excellent. It has a well-equipped gym.

In the neighbourhood: The Arlo is in the heart of Washington DC’s federal quarter, across the road from the FBI and within walking distance of the city’s Smithsonian museums. It is about midway between the White House and the Capitol, both about half an hour’s walk away.

Family friendly: Families were evident and the rooms are well big enough for children.

Accessibility: All floors were accessible by lift – the kind that give you access via your room key to your own floor and locked the others – and doorways and halls are wide and well signposted.

Sustainability: The room’s coffee cups were paper and individually wrapped in plastic. Food in the bodega came in a paper bag in a plastic container with plastic cutlery. I could see many options for waste minimisation.

Contact: arlohotels.com/washingtondc or email hellodc@arlohotels.com.

WASHINGTON – Dozens of tenants in D.C. have been forced to leave their homes after the city deemed their building unsafe and unlivable. Now, there’s a lawsuit from the Attorney General’s office against the landlord.

What we know:

The landlord of 5128 and 5134 Sheriff Road in Northeast D.C. is facing a lawsuit from D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb.

The lawsuit details poor living conditions, including “mountains of trash,” rodent and bedbug infestations, mold, and more. 

“Landlords and property managers have a legal obligation to provide a safe and sanitary living environment for their residents. Tenants at Sheriff Road have been forced to endure horrific, dangerous conditions for far too long, and such blatant disregard for District residents’ health and safety stops today,” said Schwalb in a statement. “My office will continue to use our independent authority to stand up for tenants and ensure that all Washingtonians have a safe place to call home.”

OAG filed its lawsuit against Mikhail Phillips, 711 49th Street LLC, RLP Investment Group LLC and Vision Realty Management LLC. The OAG’s office say they collectively own or manage two multifamily buildings with 25 total units located in Ward 7. The OAG’s office also alleges at least seven people were found murdered or dead at the two properties since 2023. 

The tenants in one of the buildings were required to evacuate Thursday — temporarily — until the building is deemed safe.

What they’re saying:

“For a very long time, they’ve been reaching out to the property owner … but they’ve gotten no responses. That stops today. This lawsuit is about restitution for the tenants and getting conditions fixed so we can have safe, habitable housing for the tenants,” said Zenia Wilson Laws, Special Counsel for Nuisance Abatement.

“This is the second year that I have been living with terrible, dangerous conditions including a massive roach infestation—my stove doesn’t work and mold has accumulated around the door frames of the kitchen,” said tenant Karen Glover in a statement. “I have been living without hot water because of a massive water leak that destroyed my heating tank.”