• Protesters across the U.S. rallied against perceived threats to democracy amid ongoing opposition to President Trump's administration.
• Rallies took place in major cities, including New York and Washington, with themes drawing on Revolutionary War spirit.
• Demonstrators expressed specific concerns over civil rights, government downsizing, and executive overreach.

Opponents of President Trump's administration took to the streets of communities large and small across the U.S. on Saturday, decrying what they see as threats to the nation’s democratic ideals. The disparate events included rallies in midtown Manhattan, in front of the White House, and a demonstration at a Massachusetts commemoration marking the start of the American Revolutionary War 250 years ago, according to CBS News.

Among the protestors, Thomas Bassford, an 80-year-old retired mason from Maine, attended the reenactment of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, believing that Americans are currently under attack from their own government. “This is a very perilous time in America for liberty,” Bassford said, emphasizing the need for citizens to understand and fight for their freedoms alongside his family, according to Los Angeles Times.

In addition to major cities, protests also unfolded outside Tesla car dealerships, targeting billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk and his role in government downsizing. Various community service events were organized alongside the protests, including food drives and volunteering at local shelters as a demonstration of civic engagement, reports HuffPost.

Organizers stated they were rallying against what they perceive as Trump's civil rights violations, including efforts to deport many immigrants and substantial cuts to government agencies. Concerns over executive power and governance were echoed throughout the events, as some protestors drew parallels to the American Revolution, advocating for “no kings” and resistance to tyranny, according to CBS News.

At the Concord protest, George Bryant expressed his fears of a "police state" being established under Trump’s administration. He held a sign declaring, “Trump fascist regime must go now!” and asserted that the president was undermining checks and balances, according to Los Angeles Times.

In Washington, Bob Fasick, a 76-year-old retired federal employee, noted his concerns over potential threats to constitutionally protected rights, including Social Security and health programs. “I cannot sit still knowing that if I don’t do anything... the world that we collectively are leaving for the little children... is simply not one that I would want to live,” he remarked, highlighting the implications of downsizing federal protections, according to HuffPost.

Further demonstrations included chants against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, emphasizing the ongoing deportation of immigrants, with protestors deeming it a dire issue of civil rights in America. “No fear, no hate, no ICE in our state,” they echoed, showcasing their solidarity against the federal enforcement measures, according to CBS News.

Concerns regarding executive overreach were also voiced by others, such as Melinda Charles, who criticized Trump's increasing power over the federal judiciary and elite institutions. “We’re supposed to have three equal branches of government... It’s just unbelievable,” she concluded, reflecting a common sentiment among the protestors focused on defending constitutional rights and checks on power, as reported by Los Angeles Times.