Only These 2 Texas Cities Showed Up To 50501 Protests

On Wednesday, activists across the country rallied under the banner of the 50501 Movement, a nationwide protest against President Donald Trump’s early agenda and Project 2025. While demonstrations took place in all 50 states, Texas reportedly had only two major cities participate—Austin and El Paso. The borderland community, deeply intertwined with the immigration policies at the heart of these protests, showed up in force at San Jacinto Plaza, making a powerful statement in defense of migrant rights. A notably powerful AND peaceful statement.

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El Paso Takes a Stand

The 50501 Movement, operating under the slogan “50 states, 50 protests, 1 day,” mobilized activists to gather outside key landmarks across the nation. In Texas, the largest demonstration took place at the State Capitol in Austin, but El Paso stood out as the only other major Texas city to host an event. Protesters gathered from 4 to 6 p.m. at San Jacinto Plaza, holding signs denouncing Trump’s mass deportation policies and condemning his administration’s increasingly authoritarian stance.

THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO SHOWED UP TO THE 50501 PROTEST LAST NIGHT!
byu/soni360 inElPaso

El Paso’s unique position as a border city made this protest especially significant. Activists, many of whom have direct ties to migrant communities, spoke out against policies that have led to mass deportations and the rollback of DEI initiatives. Chants of “No human is illegal” and “Abolish Project 2025” echoed through the downtown streets as speakers emphasized the need to resist the administration’s aggressive immigration agenda.

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Capturing the Moment: El Paso’s Photography Stands Out

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Among those documenting the protest was a local El Paso photographer, Christian Churches, whose work has gained recognition for its powerful visual storytelling. Their images captured the intensity of the moment—the determination in the eyes of protestors, the symbolic banners waving in defiance, and the raw emotion of a city that knows firsthand the impact of federal immigration crackdowns.

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The Fight Continues

While it remains uncertain if future 50501 protests are planned, Wednesday’s demonstrations sent a clear message. El Paso’s participation in the movement highlights the city’s ongoing commitment to justice and human rights, standing alongside Austin as one of the few Texas cities to take action. As the Trump administration pushes forward with policies aligned with Project 2025, activists in the borderland are making it known: El Paso will not back down.