https://www.reddit.com/r/50501/comments/1igsd0h/lets_talk_about_the_february_5th_protests/
created by transcendent167 on 03/02/2025 at 15:59 UTC*
2000 upvotes, 101 top-level comments (showing 25)
Hey everyone,
I’ve seen a lot of people raising concerns about whether the February 5th protests are legit, and I get it. It’s smart to be cautious, especially when movements like this start gaining traction. So let’s talk about it.
Who’s Organizing This?
This isn’t coming from some big organization or outside group—it’s people like you, in every state, stepping up and making it happen. Each event is being organized by passionate individuals in their own communities—people who see what’s happening and refuse to sit back. They’re handling local logistics, coordinating with others in their state, and making sure the protest reflects the needs of the people actually living there.
Could bad actors try to infiltrate or discredit it? Sure, that’s always a risk with any protest. That’s why we need to stay informed, look out for each other, and not let fear keep us from standing up.
How Do We Keep It Safe & Legit? • Stay connected with trusted sources – Stick with people who have been consistently involved. If something feels off, question it, but don’t dismiss the entire movement because of doubts. • Know your rights – Peaceful protest is protected, but it’s good to be aware of local laws. • Look out for each other – If you’re showing up, go with people you trust. Have a plan. Keep your phone charged. • Avoid paranoia, but stay alert – Some people want us divided or afraid. Let’s not do their job for them.
Final Thoughts
If you’re skeptical, that’s okay. Healthy skepticism is good. Just don’t let it turn into inaction. If something doesn’t feel right, ask questions, fact-check, and help make this movement stronger instead of tearing it down.
At the end of the day, this is real because we make it real. No one is coming to save us—we have to show up for each other.
Stay safe, stay smart, and stay loud. See you on the 5th.
Edit 1: when I first made this post we were sitting at less than 1k on discord now we have 1.5k in only 3 hours.
Day 1 we had 200 Day 2 400 Day 3 800
Edit 2: we’ve grown so much in such a short time that we are having to pause verification until tomorrow but please keep dming me for the link. I also made another post about the verification pause
Let’s keep going!
Edit 3
Day 4 2.2k on discord!
Comment by peeprev86 at 03/02/2025 at 16:32 UTC
502 upvotes, 19 direct replies
This is just a suggestion from someone who has gone through something similar (1986 philippine people power revolution). Someone had mention you need a symbol like how MAGAs have red and have a slogan. Blue is in the American flag. Maybe protesters use blue shirts, tie blue ribbons in car/light posts/wrists. The more united you look the more traction you’ll get; strength in numbers. Those who can afford, set up your cars/trucks and provide bottled water to those who need it. Make simple sandwiches to hand out.
Comment by Imaginary_Doctor_408 at 03/02/2025 at 16:20 UTC
73 upvotes, 5 direct replies
I suggest every state make some type of discord or groupchat to organize together. That’s what we’re tryna do in MA
Comment by ohyabeya at 03/02/2025 at 17:22 UTC
72 upvotes, 10 direct replies
I hate seeing what’s happening but as an immigrant I’m afraid of getting caught and deported. I have a young child who still very dependent on me and I can’t afford to take that risk right now. But I’m so glad to see that Americans aren’t taking this lying down
Comment by transcendent167 at 03/02/2025 at 16:00 UTC
57 upvotes, 7 direct replies
Dm me and I will send you a link to discord when I can there is alot to sort through so bear with me 😅
Comment by R2C6G4 at 03/02/2025 at 16:37 UTC
30 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Getting ready in Southern California ✊🏽
Comment by Meep4000 at 03/02/2025 at 16:46 UTC
26 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Link to best practices. Especially the guides about what to do with your mobile phone.
https://www.law.nyu.edu/centers/race-inequality-law/protest-tips
Comment by Practical-River5289 at 03/02/2025 at 16:55 UTC
91 upvotes, 6 direct replies
I think we also need to actively discourage violence. I remember Hong kong protesters shut down any bad actors that encouraged violence or started to break private property. The sincere protesters knew it would give authorities an excuse to use force on them and getting violent would only leave non-protesters and people on the fence a negative image.
If we are only viewed as a violent mob, less people will be open to understanding what this is all about or joining.
Comment by Pitiful_Gazelle_7961 at 03/02/2025 at 17:22 UTC
61 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I want everyone here to understand one thing. There will be physical resistance. We just released 1500 of them. They are classified as a gang in the DOJ. They do not want to acknowledge that but it is true.
DO NOT FEED INTO THE VIOLENCE
DO NOT HIT BACK TO THE COMMON MAN
DO NOT RESPOND WITH FISTS. USE OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THEY NEWD TO FEEL THE CAUSE TOO
DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS
be safe. Be dedicated and realize this is a long term issue that will not be resolved in a day. DO NOT GET ARRESTED AND DO NOT DO VIOLENCE
We are better than J6
Comment by alienbbzinmy4ter0s at 03/02/2025 at 17:15 UTC
24 upvotes, 1 direct replies
honestly, what is "legit" and "not legit" here? If a ton of people show up to voice their discontent... that's something no matter where it comes from?
Comment by darkaca_de_mia at 03/02/2025 at 18:40 UTC
22 upvotes, 1 direct replies
PLEASE take measures to avoid spreading COVID and flu by wearing respirator masks.... otherwise this works directly against disability justice by being a superspreader event. Thank you.
Comment by Im_a_computer-y_guy at 03/02/2025 at 18:05 UTC
17 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Comment by hopefulocto at 03/02/2025 at 16:29 UTC
15 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Exactly. Strength in numbers. Fear is exactly how we got here, and it’s not the same as being cautious. It’s a movement by the people, for the people. Let hope win.
Comment by mllejacquesnoel at 03/02/2025 at 17:50 UTC
24 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Not being affiliated with a major org is not an excuse to not involved major orgs and especially trade unions. It’s also not an excuse to not alert organizations like the National Lawyers Guild so that there can be legal observers and documentation of abuses by police if it comes to that.
I’ve seen a lot of comparisons to BLM and Occupy— Aa someone who did both, legal observers were present and made a difference in keeping police in check. Both movements were also far more organized than anyone here seems to know or want to acknowledge.
Please, at the very very least, alert the National Lawyers Guild and try and get as many major cities covered as possible.
Lastly— why were state capitols targeted and not congressional district offices or local branches of federal agencies? This is happening on the federal level. Your state government has very little to do with anything here.
Comment by SabbySass08 at 03/02/2025 at 18:42 UTC
11 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I’m glad to see this post; I have had some folks express serious (and valid!) concerns over whether this is a ploy to gather certain people all in one place for… certain reasons. I think that people are used to seeing these big marches and protests being organized by recognizable orgs, with familiar logos and websites displayed on the flyers. I understand that grassroots, by-the-people organize is important and meaningful too, but I’m wondering if there ARE any promises from any known advocacy groups to be there, any partnership or participation at all from any of our “trusted” groups? (I don’t want to name any specific ones, but think about the logos you’ve seen at Pride fests, Women’s marches, etc.) Maybe there are legitimate reasons these groups aren’t formally attaching their names to these, I don’t know… I just would love to be able to quell some of the concerns I’m hearing in my community… it IS scary times. These aren’t paranoid people. These are people hearing things from family members who work in government, or who are being told to be careful by the long-standing NPOs they volunteer with.
Comment by xConstantGardenerx at 03/02/2025 at 17:55 UTC
21 upvotes, 2 direct replies
I just have to say that as the moderator of a city protest subreddit where this protest has been aggressively promoted, I am *deeply* concerned about the moderator of this subreddit telling people to please bring their phones to the protest. This is bad advice. Period.
I don’t necessarily think it’s a bad thing that the protests are autonomously/anonymously organized but that plus leaders telling people to bring their phones should really give everyone pause.
I support protestors and have been active doing this kind of work for a few years. I don’t want to stir up shit, but people really need to be careful.
Comment by leahdrawsstuff at 03/02/2025 at 18:20 UTC
19 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I’ve been skeptical of this too all morning after getting a weird feeling about it, but my husband called the Capitol here in Colorado and confirmed that the protest has permits, the state patrol is aware of it, and it appears as legit as it can be.
Comment by bodnast at 03/02/2025 at 16:31 UTC
16 upvotes, 1 direct replies
looking forward to this! see you in Raleigh on wednesday!
Comment by Specialist-Strain502 at 03/02/2025 at 18:03 UTC
6 upvotes, 1 direct replies
If it's people like us in every state, can you give us names for the organizations that are supporting this protest and assisting in its execution?
I'm in Minnesota. Who can I reach out to in order to offer my logistical and monetary support?
Comment by DarkTorus at 03/02/2025 at 18:59 UTC
15 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Hey guys, I would just like to give a plea not to allow tribalism to take over these protests. Any psychologist would say if you go to therapy, you can’t just dismiss people because of the label you put on them, whether they’re white, republicans, cis, whatever. You need to be specific in the *behavior* that’s bad, not the label.
Signs that say “Republicans/Conservatives suck” = bad. We need bipartisan support for a lot of the bills going to the senate and house to stop Trump from doing more damage. Consider instead picking out specific things you want to protest, such as tariffs, the elimination of the department of education, people being fired because of their race, sex, gender identity, and so on.
As much as you probably feel hate and anger at those who voted in Trump, it’s not the voters or their party in general who is the enemy. Focus on the actions of Trump, Elon, and the other people in power, and what those specific actions are that you want to call out.
If you see people in maga hats, or who “look conservative,” greet them as comrades. Welcome them and express your gratitude that they came out to protest with you. Talk about how you’ve been affected by these policies and executive orders, and listen to them with awareness, not prejudice.
If these protests deepen the tribalistic divides between left and right, black and white, rural and urban, then we have no hope of overcoming this presidency. We need to win everyone to our side. It’s not us vs. them, it’s everyone vs Trump.
Comment by AZ-Sycamore at 03/02/2025 at 17:22 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Thanks for these sensible remarks. Imma be in Phoenix on Wednesday showing the world how I feel about these fascists taking over our country.
Comment by mostly_harmless87 at 03/02/2025 at 16:38 UTC
13 upvotes, 3 direct replies
I have a question, I understand you are saying this is grassroots level organization. Which is totally fine. I just what to know where it originated - where it started and when. I don’t need personal names or whatever but no one seems to know who started this.
Comment by Cumohgc at 03/02/2025 at 16:19 UTC
6 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I reposted in Massachusetts
Comment by Ok_Use_9000 at 03/02/2025 at 17:42 UTC
4 upvotes, 1 direct replies
We need this mobilization on the streets or we risk becoming countries like Hungary, Poland etc. Their democracies ended because no one showed up on the streets and it was too late to do anything once it began. Trump is using their playbook and it’s here in our doorsteps.
Comment by darkerfury at 03/02/2025 at 19:18 UTC
5 upvotes, 1 direct replies
This got passed around in my discord. Felt like it was relevant to this thread and just wanted thoughts
Comment by GratefulLakes at 03/02/2025 at 20:19 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Turn your phone off/leave it at home. Airplane mode at the very least. They will track you.
