Memphis, Tenn.–On Saturday, April 19, over 300 people attended a three-hour demonstration against Trump and Musk called “A Day of Service.” It was organized by the 50501 movement, Indivisible Memphis, Rally for Rights, and Tigers vs. Musk. After a litter clean-up event, citizens lined the sidewalks of the high-traffic intersection of Poplar Ave. and Highland St. Our homemade signs expressed a range of topics affected by Trump’s second presidency.

HOMEMADE SIGNS TELL THE STORY

Signs warned that Trump is in the process of establishing a fascist dictatorship and destroying our democracy, including: “History is Important,” “There Was No Mandate for Fascism,” “No Kings, No Nazis,” “Protect and Defend the U.S. Constitution,” “Impeach Trump, Save Our Democracy,” and “8647” (which means get rid of Trump), “Pro-America, Anti-Trump,” “Wake Up, the Emperor Wears No Clothes” and “This is Not Normal.”

Several demonstrators carried American flags, some upside down to indicate this country is in trouble. Several Ukrainian flags showed solidarity and protested Trump’s cuts to their military aid. A large propaganda portrait of Putin holding a baby was altered, putting Trump’s head on the baby.

Signs expressed Trump’s criminality and his administration’s corruption. They read: “Trump Is a Rapist and Criminal,” “Trump: Treason, Bribery, High Crimes, Impeach and Remove!” “Arrest the President,” “Remove Corrupt Politicians, Reverse the Damage, Reclaim our Democracy” and “Oligarchs do Not Equal Democracy.” A few signs spoke to the Republican Party, stating: “Grow a Spine, Republicans” and “Trump Does Not Care about Christians or Jews, Trump Only Cares About Trump, Not About You.”

Importantly, signs addressed the wave of deportations conducted illegally without due process and terrorization of racial minorities by ICE agents: “For 250 Years, We’ve Had Due Process in This Country and We Ain’t Stoppin’ Now,” “14^th Amendment: No State Shall Deny ANY Person Equal Protection of the Law,” “It’s Simple: Born Here = U.S. Citizen, Thanks 14th Amendment,” “If Trump is Looking for Criminals to Deport, He Should Look in the Mirror,” “ICE is for Soda, Not Immigrant Families,” and “Free Mahmoud Khalil, Free Speech on Campus.”

Signs addressing the disastrous effects of Trump’s tariffs stated, “Tariffs Tank 401ks,” “Stocks are Going Down” and “Ax the Trump Tax.”

The cruelty of cuts to numerous vital government programs from the new so-called Department of Government Efficiency run by Elon Musk also came under attack: “Stop Gaslighting America, Project DOGE,” “Do Not Take Food from Hungry Children to Line the Pockets of Billionaires,” “Money is Not More Valuable Than People,” and “If Money Makes the World Go Around, Stop Cutting Government Money.” Demonstrators held signs advocating for protection of Social Security and programs about healthcare for veterans.

The frightening government misuse of computer technology to interfere with our lives was expressed by a sign saying, “Keep DOGE Out of Our Data.” A sign depicting Musk giving the Nazi salute read “ELON: Evil, Lying, Oligarch, Nazi.” Several read, “Deport Musk.”

SPEAKERS CRITICIZE MUSK

On one corner, environmental justice activist Marquita Bradshaw gave a talk as well as University of Memphis student Orion Overstreet, founder of Tigers vs. Musk. Named for the school’s mascot, this group advocates for regulations on the large facility housing the supercomputer “Colossus” operated by Elon Musk’s company xAI. Musk is accused of violating several environmental laws. Methane gas turbines powering the computer produce nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde, and other toxic substances. The facility is located in Boxtown, a predominantly Black community already dealing with industrial pollution. Residents understand this pollution will eventually spread to affect the entire city. A sign invited everyone to a town hall meeting on the subject.

People of all ages were at this demonstration, including families with children and many students from nearby University of Memphis. Student Abbie Banegas stated “I came here to cause a disruption, get people out here, keep people motivated, knowing there is a fight.” Every Monday since, citizens have demonstrated during afternoon rush hour. There seem to be more people every time, mostly middle-aged and older. Younger people state online they attend when they are not at work or school. A 65-year-old Army Veteran stated, “It helps me to feel better that I am doing something useful to contribute to this fight against Trump rather than fighting for Big Oil in Iraq.”

These ongoing demonstrations show optimism and a desire for solidarity in these times that are very frightening for the whole country. Signs showed this: “Memphis, Your Voice Matters,” “We the People,” “I Still Love You, Even When We Disagree,” “The Best Activism Is Equal Parts Anger and Love/Use Your Privilege to Fight for Justice,” “We Demonstrate for Those Who Can’t Be Here or Are Afraid” and “It’s Not Left or Right, It’s Wrong or Right, You Matter.”

While our rights and democratic structure are being destroyed, the public is not taking this threat lying down. That could also be seen by the tremendous support given by those driving by.

–Artemis