Now What?

We showed up, we took to the streets, and it was great. What's next?

Millions of us protested peacefully, nationwide. We’re motivated. Let’s not lose it.

Just now I reread a few of my posts that were written right after the election. Remember those bleak November days? We were all so sad, so discouraged, so tired. I never thought I could summon the energy to protest again. Perhaps, I thought optimistically, now that Trump is safe from prosecution, maybe he’ll just chill out on the golf course and not really do much to annoy us. His first term was mostly ineffectual, maybe this will all go away. Boy, was I wrong.

But the one good thing that he’s done is to wake us up. Remember the movie Inception where the only thing that will wake people from their drugged sleep is to literally hurl them into a bathtub full of ice water? We’re woken up now, dripping and shivering and angry.

So what’s next?

The answer is…whatever works for you. Are you a phone-phobic introvert? Write a letter to the editor. Are you a crafter? Sew a banner for the next march, or auction off something to raise funds for a good cause. Are you outdoorsy? Find a group that stands on streetcorners with signs—a local town here has been doing roadside sign-holding protests every Friday rush hour for years. Can’t think of a thing to do? Donate $5. to Swing Left, a very worthy group that did a lot to help win that key Wisconsin election.

Do anything. But do something. Keep the momentum going until April 19.

And mark April 19 on your calendar.

Why April 19? It’s the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, of course! You know, Paul Revere and one if by land, two if by sea, and Minutemen and Concord Bridge and the shot heard ‘round the world. It was the day on which Americans showed up and said plainly: NO KINGS. Also it happens to be a Saturday, which is a good day for maximum crowds. National groups like Indivisible and Mobilize are organizing for that day. Also, a new group calling themselves 50501 is a driving force behind a lot of the 2025 protests.

From Newsweek:

What Is the 50501 Movement?

The 50501 Movement is a grassroots organization that emerged in early 2025 in response to policies implemented by Trump during his second term.

The name is short for "50 protests, 50 states, one day."

The idea for coordinated national days of action spread across social media platforms. The tactic was inspired by past mass demonstrations against Trump, such as the January 2017 Women's March.

One of my posts last November (how long ago it seems) was called What Do We Do Now? And it was about planting bulbs, using that as a corny metaphor for the idea of waiting for good things to happen, better times to come. It was a hard fall and it’s been a long winter. Here in upstate New York it doesn’t exactly feel like spring, as we awoke this morning to an inch of snow and 28 degrees with icy winds. But the crocuses are undaunted.

Dear Friends,

Are you infuriated by the state of the world and wondering what to do about it? I hope you’ll continue to check out The Optimistic Activist.

Every now and then I post some ideas for doing something. How to get out the vote, spread the word, and support progressive candidates. Ideas for simple but effective activism. As easy, as practical, as do-able as I can make them.

Together, I think, we can really make a difference.

“Optimism is a strategy for making a better future.”

--Noam Chomsky