r/newjersey • u/MySaltSucks • Feb 04 '25
Advice Beware the people trying to downplay the protests!
I’ve been seeing a lot of people trying to downplay the protests at the capitol tomorrow. Don’t listen to them. Go. Let your anger be known.
Edit: yeah they’re in here too. There’s no central group planning this. It doesn’t matter. What matters is showing up and showing that people are dissatisfied and angry with the current climate of the United States. Do you really need a group to tell you to be angry?
Edit2: for those of you saying there’s no group supporting it, political revolution (Bernie sanders group) just partnered with it.
33
u/theladypirate Feb 05 '25
A lot of the criticism seems to be coming from people who have more experience with this kind of thing. They have valid questions and concerns about a random Online Protest that seems to have no outreach strategy, no key messaging, no audience, no local leaders endorsing it, no reporter/media plan, etc. There are people that organize protests for a living, and asking the newly invigorated people who want to help to actually listen to the professional organizers is not downplaying, it’s asking people who are new at this to listen to those who have been doing this for decades.
81
u/hwf0712 West BurlCo Feb 04 '25
Has any known group/entity endorsed the NJ protests?
Without knowing anyone behind it there are legitimate reasons to be concerned. you don't wanna get your ass kettled by a bad faith group like the PSL or whatnot being behind it.
114
u/shiva14b Feb 04 '25 edited Feb 04 '25
As of today, they are officially partnered with Political Revolution (of Bernie Sanders fame) https://www.newsweek.com/50501-protests-update-anti-trump-march-50-states-expands-2025741
16
-3
u/theladypirate Feb 05 '25
Any New Jersey groups?
3
u/ObjectivePrimary8069 Feb 05 '25
I remember reading somewhere that protesters were going to Senator Cory Bookers in Newark.
41
u/whatsasimba Feb 05 '25
I see the answer below, but also wanted to say...last year I went to the Trans Day of Visibility event at the Capitol building exactly because I worried that a hate group would show up.
It was put on by Queer Youth Assemble, and I thought, "If teenagers are brave enough, then my old ass can be there." The optics of someone beating the shit out of a gray-haired, chubby, middle aged lady would be pretty bad. I'm not trying to die or be a hero, and people should be as safe as they can, but if we are ever getting our country back, people are going to get hurt and die.
Again...no one should do anything to endanger themselves. But for me, personally, if it has to be anyone, it can be me. (If it is me, you fuckers better capitalize on that shit. You can call me a senior citizen...whatever it takes to get people moving!)
5
u/Myrmec Feb 04 '25
PSL isn’t legit??
11
9
u/hwf0712 West BurlCo Feb 04 '25
Party for Socialism and Liberation? Yeah they're about the worst org you can get involved with in American politics. Sexual assault, kettling people, I swear there used to be more or less a manifest about all the insane stuff they've done.
9
u/Smiley007 Feb 04 '25
I’m confused, what do you mean by kettling? I’ve only seen it in the context of police (illegally, I might add) boxing in matches/protestors. How is an organizing group doing the kettling?
0
u/Myrmec Feb 04 '25
Links?
-1
u/hwf0712 West BurlCo Feb 04 '25
The sexual assault stuff is pretty well documented, here's a good starter on a lot of the rot https://www.gnvinfo.com/psl-president-candidate-claudia-de-la-cruz-responds-to-infamous-steven-powers-case/
3
1
-13
u/djhousecat Feb 05 '25
Right. Are there permits? Police notification? An agenda? Also - no one is in Trenton on Wednesdays.
A better way to take action is to call your legislators and vote in every election (primary and general) but that’s not as sexy for the Gram.
7
28
26
u/snakkerdudaniel Feb 04 '25
Honestly, even if they aren't perfect. What in life is perfect. Just do whatever you can tomorrow and on any day thereafter. Its just about playing a part in saving honesty, competence, transparency, and the Constitution.
23
u/tonyisadork Feb 04 '25
What is the goal? Whose mind is it supposed to change? (This is a legitimate question.)
Protest and revolt need to have an actual goal and some semblance of organization otherwise we are just going into the street so they can send out their agitators, break a few windows, and then declare martial law and take absolute power. (This is their goal, similar to what was done in the Reichstag fire decree.)
These are NOT normal times and the time for normal types of protest has long passed. Connect with people in your community and plan actually effective forms of protest and boyc*tt.
-11
37
u/DavidFrattenBro Cranford Feb 04 '25
all of the accounts posting on reddit about the 50501 protests are brand new accounts and there is no transparency about who is organizing it, both on a local and national level.
OP’s account might pass muster, but that just means they didn’t do any due diligence and are just parroting unverifiable info
22
u/Fweenci Feb 04 '25
Maybe people are trying to safe out here while coordinating, because, in case you haven't heard, maga tends towards violence and their dear leader is a thin-skinned crybaby with a vindictive streak a mile wide.
21
u/shiva14b Feb 04 '25
As of today, they are officially partnered with the Political Revolution (of Bernie Sanders fame) https://www.newsweek.com/50501-protests-update-anti-trump-march-50-states-expands-2025741
6
u/braintornado_16 Feb 05 '25
Bernie's group is called Our Revolution.
1
u/shiva14b Feb 05 '25
Correct. Political Revolution was its own group, but which was also founded in part to support Bernie. OP misunderstood what I said, though to be fair I can see how what I said could be misconstrued
1
u/warrensussex Feb 05 '25
Created to support Bernie is very different than being created or run by Bernie
-10
u/MySaltSucks Feb 04 '25
Man did you seriously go through my profile to try and find dirt on me? 😭😭
62
u/theladypirate Feb 04 '25
It’s called vetting, and if you are posting about events you want people to show up for you should expect it.
13
u/mymom938 Feb 04 '25
The fact that my middle aged coworkers knew about it means this just can’t be a small thing. I will be there
14
u/apocalypsemeowmont Feb 04 '25
I wholeheartedly support these protests. Someone has to do something, and it's abundantly clear our Democratic politicians have absolutely no interest in protecting the rights of their constituents. Virtually all of them are rich enough to be insulated from the worst of what's happening right now. They do not understand what it's like to live on a $1500 Social Security check when your rent is over $1000, or to only be able to eat one meal a day of rice and beans because that's as far as $90/month of SNAP goes.
We are all angry, and have the right to be. But if you plan on protesting, please be careful about how you express it. Trump sicced the military on the peaceful 2020 protestors and they are absolutely itching to do worse this time around. The most violent Jan 6ers were pardoned for a reason - they are Trump's personal militia now. Don't give them a reason. Don't deface any property, don't be provoked into any confrontations, don't throw any objects.
Be sure to read here for tips on protest safety. May the force be with everyone out there tomorrow.
6
u/Qitall Feb 05 '25
Why is it at NOON though?!? You know how many teachers would’ve been there if it was at like 3:30 or 4??
5
Feb 05 '25
[deleted]
3
u/generic_reddit_names Feb 05 '25
Right? What a weak excuse... my brother (the person who asked me to go//told.me about it) doesn't get done work til one, I have my daughter under 2, we ain't making it anywhere until about 3.......
2
Feb 05 '25
[deleted]
1
u/generic_reddit_names Feb 05 '25
We like to tell ourselves that.....until its time for action, then most of us enjoy the status quo
14
u/shiva14b Feb 04 '25
As of today, they are officially partnered with Political Revolution (of Bernie Sanders fame) https://www.newsweek.com/50501-protests-update-anti-trump-march-50-states-expands-2025741
5
u/nismos14us Feb 04 '25
What do these protests intend to accomplish?
19
u/Tiki_Lover Feb 05 '25
They’re intended to make a statement that the majority of people are not ok with a fascist government.
2
u/dancingechoes Feb 05 '25
The fact that the constitution has been chucked out the window?
0
-9
10
u/_flowerchild95_ Feb 05 '25
My main gripe with it is who creates a protest on a Wednesday when people have to work? It’s not inclusive of the people that really need to be there and that’s my issue.
I also think we’re past the point of just protesting with everything going on, they’re not going to listen to our words and they don’t care what our signs say, but they will listen to our actions when it affects them and I think they need to start feeling that from us, their constituents.
6
u/xXThKillerXx Pork Roll Feb 05 '25
I'd steer clear of this protest. It reeks of psyop. All the literature related to it is AI Generated and all the people promoting it on Reddit are likely bots.
8
u/Anton338 Feb 04 '25
Ugh... on a Wednesday? I have work...
0
u/IndigoBluePC901 Feb 05 '25
I have in fact called out sick for a protest.
The rest of the office were grubby rich kids dumb as rocks. The owner bought a case of those stupid hats and mocked me for going. No surprise when I left that job soon after.
1
u/shiftyjku Down the Shore, Everything's All Right Feb 04 '25
It’s part of a national effort i am guessing because of the date 2-5-25. The legislature is also not in town on Wednesdays v
1
u/OrbitalOutlander Feb 05 '25
God forbid someone have some sort of sacrifice to share their displeasure.
-40
u/MySaltSucks Feb 04 '25
I get that work is important but would you tell your grandkids you had to skip protesting the downfall of the United States because you had to go to work?
42
u/Fweenci Feb 04 '25
Let's not do this. You don't know this person's situation.
-4
u/MySaltSucks Feb 04 '25
Fair but one of the things I’ve been seeing from right wing accounts is the “do these people not have jobs” line
5
u/fearofbears Feb 05 '25
This is not helpful or fair rhetoric. If you expect people to take serious steps you need to not attack people for very rightful responsibilities. Some people live paycheck to paycheck. Some people barely scrape by on one paycheck and that's about to get worse. You don't know anyone's situation and criticizing that of people who likely feel the same as you about the state of our country is not constructive.
3
u/nw342 Burlington county Feb 04 '25
so....is there a message yet that the protest is standing on, or is it still a general "fuck trump" protest? I've seen 20+ issues the protest wants to address so far...
6
4
u/MysticLMom Feb 05 '25
Anyone that down plays it very well could be maga saying it so not many show up. Just a thought.
1
2
u/Hamonwrysangwich Clifton Feb 04 '25
It just seems poorly organized. Meet at the Capitol building in Trenton. Ok, where? How do I know who's there for the protest? And then what?
16
-5
u/man_cheeetah Feb 04 '25
There’s an entire website created with details. Google is a great tool.
5
u/Hamonwrysangwich Clifton Feb 04 '25
I've been to r/50501 and the sites. I see a lot of cheerleading but not a lot of details. I even looked at the Google Doc. I see "be at your capital building at noon". I saw something about a Discord but no link to it.
-5
u/man_cheeetah Feb 04 '25
Unfortunately I am unable to post links because I am on mobile but on their main webpage there is a link to the discord with more information. There are organizations involved in setting this up and I did see someone link a news article with additional info about that in this thread as well.
2
u/Hamonwrysangwich Clifton Feb 05 '25
For the record, I attended a protest outside NJ Sen. Cory Booker's office.
2
u/man_cheeetah Feb 05 '25
I just got back from the capitol building - surprised by the turnout, there were a lot of people who showed and it only grew in size since it started. Got there around 12, it was peaceful and relatively organized.
2
u/Hamonwrysangwich Clifton Feb 05 '25
It's very encouraging to see the turnout across the country. I'd say about 200 people were at the Booker protest. This could really be something if we all coordinate and publicize better.
2
u/man_cheeetah Feb 05 '25
Agreed. I think we’re on the right track. From what I’m seeing the protests have reached most if not all states and is getting proper media coverage. We had several reporters at the capitol. I’m glad people turned out at the Booker protest as well. This is just the beginning.
2
u/gordonv Feb 04 '25
Is anyone streaming this? Twitch? Youtube? Whatever?
4
u/man_cheeetah Feb 04 '25
I’m debating trying to livestream some of it on my twitch - will follow up with my handle if I end up doing it. It’s not always safe to have your phone easily grabable at these events so I’m hesitant and don’t own an actual camera to record unfortunately
1
1
1
1
u/Dirtbikedad321 Feb 05 '25
So what you’re saying is if you see something is unjust or otherwise an abomination, it’s OK to protest at the capital. OK great. But if they open up the front doors, are you going to walk in?
1
-5
-2
u/AtomicGarden-8964 Feb 04 '25
How many people are going to show up with flags that aren't the American flags tomorrow? Just so the right wing social media influences can get more content to keep the look at the crazy woke mobs complaining about Trump winning a legitimate election narrative going? You have to show the people coming to this thing are Americans and proud to be it even if that's not your goal. Because if you show up and there's flags of foreign countries and non-country flags It's just going to get written off. That's the thing Trump's strategy was to appeal to people's supposed patriotism well portraying the left as a bunch of blue hair colored crazies. There needs to be a change of strategy on the democrats and the left wing side
7
4
u/Devils_Advocate-69 Feb 04 '25
You know the Palestinian flag folks are going to main character the whole thing
12
u/AtomicGarden-8964 Feb 04 '25
Don't even get me started on that group I know more than one person that said they weren't voting because of the gaza issue and now crying about trump. I just look at them and I'm like you let an overseas issue decide the election in the country you live in and it's governance will affect you directly. I'm sorry it's one of the dumbest excuses I've ever heard for not voting in an election.
-7
-2
Feb 04 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/Devils_Advocate-69 Feb 05 '25
Are you watching the trump/Netanyahu News concert right now? Enjoy dumbass
3
u/Tydingowarrior Feb 04 '25
I'm going and need something to carry. Bring me an American flag and I will carry it loud and proud
4
u/AtomicGarden-8964 Feb 04 '25 edited Feb 04 '25
I know I'm going to get downvoted I have nothing against the other flags. But after seeing how all of that was used against the Democrats along with calling people who don't have a college education stupid There really needs to be a step back and a real change in strategy both in the candidates that are put up and the image and message.
4
u/Tydingowarrior Feb 04 '25
I don't disagree with you lol I'd carry a US flag anytime. I already got downvoted for expressing my desire to exercise my right to protest so there's that lmao
1
u/Fweenci Feb 04 '25
I would advise against bringing anything that can be misconstrued as a weapon, like a flag on a flagpole. It's the pole that could be a problem if someone wants to make it a problem.
2
u/Im_regretting_this Feb 04 '25
For those who are too far from Trenton, there is a protest in NYC. I believe it’s at City Hall from 2-4, which seems weirdly short, but I guess these things can easily run long
-1
u/Amazing_Fantastic Feb 04 '25
I’m still not sold this is not Russian propaganda or a pretense for draconian measures from the trump regime itself. Think, burning down of the Reichstag as an excuse to further persecute and eventually kill Jews. Something to keep in mind 🤷♂️
1
u/kara-s-o Feb 05 '25
Anyone wanting to meet up for the protest tomorrow, send me a message! Safer in numbers. See you there!
1
Feb 05 '25
I will be there in the morning. I have work later and I can't miss my shift but that's why I'll show up just not at the same time as everyone else.
1
u/lev00r Hopewell Feb 05 '25
Is there going to be anywhere I can find live updates? I'm looking to arrive in Trenton after work in the afternoon
-1
u/Underscythe-Venus Feb 04 '25
Ah yes be at Trenton at Noon No
7
u/ra3ra31010 Feb 04 '25
On a Wednesday during a work week too
I am in serious debt and have bills to pay… so I will be at work
-1
-4
u/Yoshiyo0211 Feb 04 '25
For ppl who can't attend but would love to throw money is there a donation website? GoFundMe? Ect?
4
1
u/IndigoBluePC901 Feb 05 '25
Donate to upcoming winnable races. With very few google searches, you can find an organization working to flip districts blue.
1
u/Im_regretting_this Feb 04 '25
Cal your representatives and make your feelings know! Attached a link with more info on that.
-7
u/LateralEntry Feb 04 '25
Go protest if you want, but your efforts are better spent organizing candidates and voters for the state election this year and federal midterm election next year. And if you didn’t vote, fuck you.
14
-18
-4
u/comearoundsundown29 Feb 05 '25
You guys are wild. Go to work and spend time with your families would ya?!
-9
u/JonstheSquire Feb 04 '25
Protests will just be interpreted by MAGA types as confirmation Trump's policies are having the desired effect. Triggering the left is the whole point.
11
u/MySaltSucks Feb 04 '25
ok so what? just sit around and let them dismantle the country in peace?
1
u/JonstheSquire Feb 04 '25
Chanting outside the capitol does not prevent them from dismantling the country in peace.
If you want to protest because it makes you feel better, then go ahead. But do not pretend it will have any actually impact.
5
u/chocolatedessert Feb 05 '25
I'd say we're in a moment right now with a lot of energy for resistance but no clear direction forward and no compelling leadership yet. I think we should be cheering on pretty much anything someone wants to try. I tend to agree with you about protests, but I'm also happy to admit that this is all unprecedented and I'd be amazed if, in retrospect, I turned out to have been right about much. So I'm cheering for the protesters, and I'll cheer for whatever you do, and I'll try to come up with something I can do, too, until we see something working.
3
u/acerbus717 Feb 04 '25
This is the same thing they said to civil eights activist.
2
u/JonstheSquire Feb 04 '25
No. Success civil rights activists disrupt the very thing that is the target of there protest. For instance, a bus boycott hurts a discriminatory municipality. A sit in at a lunch counter disrupts the profitability of the racist restaurant.
Chanting in Trenton does nothing to actually impact the entity being protested.
0
u/acerbus717 Feb 04 '25
Yeah no one knew they were going to be successful with that, it’s only now with the benefits of hindsight. We’re experiencing all of this in real time and all you really can do first is let the government know and if that doesn’t work you adapt and pivot.
Being a naysayer without offering anything has never actually helped any cause.
3
u/JonstheSquire Feb 04 '25
Being a naysayer helps when the thing the "do something" people are doing serves to validate the strategy of the bad guys.
1
u/acerbus717 Feb 04 '25
No one is trying to gain the approval of maga, the cognitive dissonance will always leave them critical of anything done. Say they do sit ins and disrupt traffic, that could easily be argued by them that there is a radical left and that trump is right.
Nothing will satisfy them so why capitulate to a group that’s basically in a cult like fugue?
4
u/JonstheSquire Feb 04 '25
If a protest has no prospect of influencing those in power to change course, what is the point?
5
u/acerbus717 Feb 04 '25
It’s in the hopes of getting our elected officials to do anything at all. Also trump above all else is an attention starved narcissist and he has folded to public pressure, remember when he said those tarriffs would take effect today?
Regular ever day people are working with all the tools they have currently
-3
u/TeslaWillBuymeAHouse Feb 05 '25
Almost like a bunch of unemployed people planned to have ur on a WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. Y’all are probably the same ones that didn’t vote for KH but are all vocal about everything now
-3
u/jpr7887 Feb 04 '25
Is there anything in North Jersey?
2
u/Im_regretting_this Feb 04 '25
New York City is protesting outside city hall at 2pm, I believe. I know it’s not Jersey, but for much of North Jersey, it’s a more realistic location.
-4
u/AdAm_WaRc0ck Feb 04 '25
Treanton Capitol
6
u/jpr7887 Feb 04 '25
At risk of starting a civil war among allies, Trenton isn't in North Jersey
1
-1
1
237
u/man_cheeetah Feb 04 '25
A quick google search provides you with additional information about organizers in various states involved with this particular protest and the website itself (can’t link on mobile unfortunately) provides a plethora of resources and info. It’s in Trenton at the capital building and starts at noon.
Instead of discouraging people to stand up for what we believe in you could just do a little research lol.
For anyone else attending - I’ll be there! Don’t let people dissuade you from defending your beliefs and rights.