Protests across America against actions by the Trump administration on Presidents Day went beyond capitol cities and major cities to small towns as well, including Covington.
Protesters are upset about the numerous executive orders by President Donald Trump since he took office just one month ago and the mass layoffs from federal agencies by billionaire Elon Musk because of what Trump and Musk call wasted taxpayers’ money.
Rallies also were held Feb. 17 in Seattle and Olympia as part of national protest ignited by the 50501 Movement, with the numbers representing 50 protests, 50 states, 1 day. The movement organizers describe the protest as against “the anti-democratic and illegal actions of the Trump administration.”
Ron Auerbach, of Kent, attended the protest.
“There were lots of people gathered together holding up signs and chanting ‘What do we want? Democracy! When do we want it? Now!’” according to a Feb. 18 email from Auerbach.
People initially gathered in the afternoon at Covington City Hall prior to moving to the 16700 block of Southeast 272nd Street across from Fred Meyer.
One sign read:
“Defend our Democracy,” and listed “women’s rights, birth rights, freedom rights, public lands, national forests, the Constitution, free speech, health rights, immigration, history, truth, facts, science, civil liberties, journalism, checks and balances, religious freedoms, trans rights, education.”
Another sign read:
“Deny the Coup”
“Defend the Constitution”
“Deport Muskrat”
“Stand-up for Democracy”
Trump, in one of his executive orders, named Musk, the owner of Tesla, SpaceX and X (formerly Twitter), to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has fired or put on leave many federal employees at several agencies. Lawsuits have been filed that claim DOGE is unconstitutional without the approval of Congress. Musk donated $288 million to Trump’s election campaign, according to the Washington Post.
Yet another sign read:
“No Kings on Presidents Day or Any day”
“Stop the Coup”
Trump posted Feb. 15 on his personal Truth Social and X accounts that “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.” According to ABC News, the quote is often attributed to Napoleon, the French general who effectively declared himself emperor in the early 1800s.
The Facebook page IndivisibleCovingtonWA helped spread the word to local residents. Indivisible is another national movement with the motto: “We fight on, together. Our democracy is under threat. But we will not yield to fascism. We will stand together and we’ll fight back in defense of our rights, our communities, and our values.”
Covington Police Chief Adam Easterbrook was at the event and estimated about 200 people attended, including some counterprotesters, and that it was completely peaceful, according to a Feb. 18 email from Brandyn Hull, spokesperson for the King County Sheriff’s Office, which contracts with the city.
“No incidents or issues,” Hull said.
The turnout impressed locals.
“To know that my community turned out like this gives me hope!” one person posted on the Facebook page.
Another comment read, “So encouraged by the crowd that showed up today at Covington City Hall.”
Auerbach, of Kent, said the protest went well.
“Everything was peaceful and there were even a few protesters on the other side of the street (Fred Meyer side),” Auerbach said. “And the nearby Starbucks was super busy with all the people in attendance.”
Auerbach said he saw a few police officers watching over the crowd from a distance.
“There were lots of honking cars and other vehicles, including 18-wheelers supporting the protesters,” he said.
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