Hundreds of anti-Trump protesters marched around the New Mexico Legislature on Feb. 5, 2025. (Photo by Austin Fisher / Source NM)

Hundreds of anti-Trump demonstrators marched around the Roundhouse in Santa Fe as part of the “50501” protests taking place across the United States on Wednesday.

They chanted slogans like “impeach Trump” and “deport Musk,” referring to tech billionaire Elon Musk who leads Trump’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency.”

Virgil Roberts said he heard about the protest on social media and attended because many of his relatives are immigrants from Mexico who moved here “hoping for that better life,” and because his friends are queer and rely on Medicaid and other government services.

Roberts spoke up on a shared megaphone about his father who immigrated from Mexico and served in the U.S. Army, and inspired his brother to also join.

“They fought to protect this country and to keep the freedom in this country — just for the government to throw it back in their faces,” Roberts said.

“I think it’s a travesty what is happening, and that our rights are being taken away,” Roberts said. “I’m opposing the fact that the presidency and the government are handing over our country to billionaires who don’t care about the people, they only care about stuffing their pockets.”

Roberts is originally from El Paso and moved to Albuquerque in 2020, and has stayed here because he loves New Mexico. “I want to fight for both places,” he said.

“Keep fighting for what you believe, and your rights,” Roberts said.