Move over pussycats, in deference to the pink-hatted women’s movement of previous elections cycles, there’s a new breed of peaceful protestors in town.

Consider it a coup… People of all ages, sectors, socioeconomic backgrounds throughout the nation have taken to the streets to defend their civil rights. We the people, they exclaim, as stated in the preamble to the Constitution, the supreme law of the land, have spoken.

And the world is watching, even participating, alongside, in cities across the globe. How does that grab you ...

In Omaha, the April 5th “Hands Off” rally at Memorial Park saw an estimated 10,000 people spread across the venue and along Dodge Street, according to local organizers.

At the April 19th rally at Gene Leahy Mall, staff at MECA estimated a total of 3,500, which was probably 1,000 more than they were expecting on Easter weekend.

Nationwide, the April 5th “Hands Off” rallies totaled an estimated 5.2 million across all 50 states. The April 19th rallies, protests and community engagement events totaled an estimated 3 million or more.

But who’s giving the marching orders …

Locally, the impetus behind this growing movement are the three main organizers of 50501 Omaha, who have chosen to remain anonymous, due to political repercussions, now taking place against those who oppose the current administration’s ideology and perceived violation of human rights.

“(We) would prefer not to publicly disclose the fields in which we are employed for safety reasons,” according to Ciara. “This current regime targets political dissidents and encourages its loyalists to believe those who exercise their right to free speech and assembly against Trump’s policies are “un-American” – a label that now has dangerous consequences.”

But time has a way of marching on. And so, apparently, do they …

Part of a larger national campaign, 50501 was the initial call-to-action that sparked the growing People’s Movement in the United States, she explained.

“It began as a call on Reddit and Facebook many years ago, for 50 states to engage in 50 protests in 1 day. 50501 was reactivated in the wake of Trump’s reelection and thrust into the limelight after his inauguration when it became abundantly clear his administration was not just going to undermine our democracy, but literally dismantle it from within. 50501 now stands for 50 states, 50 protests, 1 movement.”

Hence, the collective drumbeat has only gotten louder, which is their desired effect.

Since the first nationwide protest on Feb. 5, the “r/50501” subreddit has grown from roughly 15,000 to 297,000 members, and “The 50501 Movement” Facebook group has grown from a few thousand to more than 167,900.

In addition, “50501 Omaha” Facebook group has grown from roughly 1,200 to 2,100 members within the last two months, r/50501Omaha subreddit, which began with three members, has roughly 500 – with “50501 Lincoln” and “Southwestern Nebraska 50501” Facebook groups both gaining more members by the day.

However, no one wants to play politics. Nationwide, there are no chosen nor elected leaders.

“50501 is a grassroots, decentralized movement. We are built and led by ordinary people at the community level, not by elites or institutions. Our power comes from the ground up, from the people directly affected by the current administration’s attempt to dismantle our democracy. We organize ourselves based on shared values, lived experience, and collective need,” per their website.

Why, because they don’t want history to repeat itself.

“We are decentralized because we believe in true equality. We do not put individuals on pedestals, and there are no secret decision-makers. We organize without hierarchy because concentration of power, no matter where it exists, leads to control, exclusion, and eventually oppression. We reject authoritarianism in all its forms, including any version of it that might try to take root within 50501.”

Unified as one voice, however, their numbers speak for themselves.

 “As a decentralized movement, we know that real power comes from collective effort. Building the infrastructure to sustain that power, especially in the digital realm, takes resources and coordination that no single group can do alone. We partner with aligned organizations not to compromise our values, but to strengthen them,” it states.

Currently, 50501 has two national partners: Political Revolution and Voices of Florida. They are also endorsed by NoVoiceUnheard and Build the Resistance. Other local groups have also joined to further amplify their voice, including Indivisible Nebraska, Douglas County Democratic Party, Nebraska Women’s March and Blue Dot Nebraska/Blue Dot Energy.

On the national level, 50501 is a loose collection of teams of organizers from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and beyond.

“These folks collaborate to make sure all chapters are roughly on the same page. The national teams do not collect money. They are not a PAC, nonprofit, or 501c4. They are not incorporated because that doesn’t make sense for a decentralized and grassroots movement.”

 When people outside of 50501 approach national teams to offer donations, they direct potential donors to local and state 50501 groups instead.

However, their opposition espouses a different narrative.

“Despite what the right-wing media would say about us accepting checks from George Soros (we make a lot of jokes about the ‘dark money’ conspiracies), we fund ourselves. We rely on our dedicated members and friends to volunteer their skills, equipment, and time to help us with rally planning and logistics,” Ciara said.

Nor does anyone need to be a card-carrying member.

“The 50501 Movement is 100 percent nonpartisan – anyone who wishes to stand up to authoritarianism, protect the constitution, and stop executive overreach is welcome to join us. There’s no criteria to be a part of this movement,” Joe said.

A sign of the times, which many carry, they continue to make headway, garnering headlines through various multi-media channels.

 “The 50501 Movement is definitely a part of a larger shift in civic engagement across the nation, but I don’t think it’s only occurring because of the last election. People are fed up with the status quo – feeling unheard and underrepresented by the two-party system and its long-term establishment politicians – and Trump's reelection is just the straw that broke the camel’s back. People want change, which includes a government and a democracy that works for all of us, not just the privileged few,” Ciara explained.

Nor is it simply black or white – or rather left or right.

“We encourage folks to criticize people of all political affiliations when it’s called for. Not challenging Democratic leaders to do better on specific issues is partly how we got here. And we should also challenge ourselves to reflect on our internal biases and potential blind spots so we make sure we hold all leaders accountable, and we never create another Trump ever again, whether red or blue or in between,” they said.

 Like modern-day Paul Reveres, they want people to heed the warnings …

“History is watching. We’ve seen autocrats like Trump before, and we know where this is headed,” Ciara said.

“We are in a dark time in U.S. history. We must protect American Democracy from Trumpism and Fascism,” added Ken.

Question is, are their efforts effective. Or futile attempts, a vast echo chamber, like shouting into wind.

“The short answer: yes,” said Ciara. “Because what’s the alternative – say nothing? Do nothing?”

Rallies, letter writing and phone banks all put pressure on our elected officials, insists Ken.

“We give our elected officials the space to make important decisions about our democracy. All Americans need to be more active in the democratic process, which not only includes voting but also keeping informed on important political issues, communicating with their elected officials about said issues, and speaking out when their representatives fail to actually represent them,” he added.

Short of straw polls, they do have ways of measuring their impact, including witnessing people becoming more engaged and active on social media, and participants reaching out, stepping up and volunteering to help organize future efforts, Joe said.

However, the ultimate result will be elected officials feeling the pressure to stop executive overreach, Ken added.

As far as impact, attending rallies/protests can carry the most weight, according to Ciara. “But if you can’t do that, flooding social media and (congressional) inboxes with your thoughts, concerns, opinions, ideas and suggestions is no small feat. We must ensure those in power, who are supposed to work for us, cannot ignore us.”

Because, they believe, so much is at stake.

“Honestly, I can’t just sit and watch our democracy dissolve into fascism through my phone in real time without going insane,” said Ciara. “We shouldn’t wait until we personally have our constitutional rights violated to do something. I have privilege that protects me from a lot of the horrors marginalized communities are experiencing right now, and that morally obligates me to speak out and demand justice for those people regardless of whatever pushback or retaliation arises. I think everyone should feel that way, and I think everyone should act.”

In light of everything, they still have high hopes, and the beat goes on ...

For information, visit: https://www.fiftyfifty.one/

Protests Signal Message Of Dissent

Instead of spending a leisurely weekend with family or friends, thousands of people locally, and millions nationally have joined forces to amplify their message of dissent.

United in peaceful protests, they are speaking out against authoritarian rule, the dismantling of our democracy and the violations of their civil rights.

Taking liberty to go one step further, they’ve seemingly turned the phrase, “E Pluribus Unum,” our nation’s motto, “Out Of Many One, into “Out Of One Many” by representing others, who can’t speak, won’t speak or are afraid to speak for themselves.

This growing People’s Movement was organized by 50501, a decentralized, grassroots organization, along with other like-minded groups, staging rallies, letter-writing campaigns, phone banks and other efforts all across the nation, and even globe.

Rallying recently on the home front were Sheryl Forehead, a public school teacher in the metro area for more than 30 years, and Dale Brickell, a dental office manager in Omaha for 25 years.

Distressed by the current turn of events, they felt compelled not to just sit back and remain silent, but to voice their concerns.

• Why did you attend the rally: 

Sheryl: My husband and I wanted to show some form of resistance. We feel like we are passively watching history unfold, we are horrified by our government and are excited to participate in some form of action.

Dale: I attended the rally to show support and be with those who are like-minded. It was an uplifting experience.

• Why is it important to speak out: 

Sheryl: We have to remember that democracy requires citizens to be involved in the direction we want our country to go. We cannot simply tell people who feel the same way as us that we are angry, we have to tell our government.

Dale: I feel if you don’t speak out that you are complicit, and I recall those in Germany during the 1930-1940 timeframe. 

• Do you think it’s effective: 

Sheryl: I don't know, I sure hope so.                                                                       

Dale: I have attended numerous Blue Dot events, which support counting votes. I believe calling your representative and senators also is beneficial, sometimes. 

• What are you protesting:

Sheryl: Government overreach, the security of my private information is at risk, education needs more support not less, the environment and its protection, social safety nets that insure all Americans have adequate food and housing, our kids, our grandkids, our future.

Dale: I am protesting the unlawful gutting of the federal department that served the American people – the VA, Medicaid and Medicare, the Smithsonian and our national parks.

• What are your biggest concerns, facing our nation: 

Sheryl: There are checks and balances in our constitution for a reason. This power grab is illegal, and I am afraid that if we do nothing our democracy will not survive.

Dale: What I detest the most is the false information that is broadcast by the current administration.

• How do you deal with opposing viewpoints: 

Sheryl: Often poorly, but I try to listen and calmly describe what I see as flaws in logic.

Dale: I don’t do well with opposing viewpoints because I feel so passionate about certain things.

• What’s it going to take to bring this nation together: 

Sheryl: Great leaders. I believe that the best generations will be our future ones. I think that they will learn from our mistakes. Young people are smart, open-minded, concerned about more than money. I hope they will bring energy and ideas that show their empathy, ability to understand the global existence they must share with everyone.

Dale: I really am unsure what can bring this country together because of the false narrative.

• What is your hope for the nation: 

Sheryl: That we remember our shared values, the American dream, and our responsibility to care about more than our own 401K.

Dale: I always hope we take care of our poor and less fortunate and respect the rule of law, but that seems to have gone by the way side. 

• Who or what inspires you:

 Sheryl: Young people. 

Dale: I respect Cory Booker for his filibuster in the Senate, Liz Chaney, who lost her job, FDR for all he did, and any Republican who doesn’t agree with Trump and says so and votes accordingly.

• If you could change one thing, regarding our country:

Sheryl: One person = one vote. Get rid of the Electoral College. Get big money completely out.

• Anything you’d like to add: 

Dale: I pray our democracy can withstand this assault.