Bloomington's 50501 protest organized as canned food drive

Bloomington's edition of the 50501 Movement's national day of protests kicked off at noon on Saturday (April 19) at the city's traditional venue for such demonstrations, the southeast corner of the historic Monroe County courthouse.

An estimated 500 people heard speeches, sang songs, chanted, and waved signs, drawing general support from motorists who honked as they drove north on Walnut Street past the courthouse.

The numerals in the name of the event organizers stand for the slogan "50 protests. 50 states. 1 movement." Saturday was designated as a national day of protest against many of the actions that have been taken by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration after he was sworn into office to start his second term in January. The 50501 organization says that Trump, Elon Musk, and their supporters are consolidating power among billionaires, and creating an economy that is "rigged against the People."

The 50501 Movement is critical of Trump's apparent rejection of unfavorable court rulings, and describes Trump as dismantling the "foundations of our country" including attacks on: due process in connection with deporting immigrants; reproductive health care; free elections; and worker rights.

Bloomington's event was promoted as a canned food drive to benefit Mother Hubbard's Cupboard, after the USDA announced last months $660 million worth of cuts to programs that supported schools and child care facilities, and another $500 million in cuts to supports for food banks.

Addressing the crowd on the topic of food security was Monroe County commissioner Julie Thomas, who said, "Hungry people can't fight. They struggle to learn, and they struggle to work." Thomas continued: "Hungry people live in the tyranny of the moment focusing on food. They don't have time to attend a rally or call their member of Congress." Thomas added, "I appreciate everyone who brought food today, helping to feed your neighbors, but we cannot stop now."

Thomas reported that the Hoosier Hills Food Bank had just announced the cancellation of 62,000 pounds of food destined for the Bloomington area.

Speaking towards the end of the rally was Daniel Segal, a coordinating member of Jewish Voice for Peace, who stated that anti-Zionism is not antisemitism. He asked for a moment of silence by saying, "I want to pause briefly and ask all of us for a moment of silent reflection for the victims of genocide In Gaza, whose numbers we cannot count, there are over 50,000 dead bodies."

That prompted a demonstrator who was standing towards the front to call out a question: Why didn't Segal ask for a moment of silence to remember the victims of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas? Segal responded by saying, "Let us mourn for everybody who dies."

The rains from the morning did not persist into the afternoon, and did not pick up again until after the event concluded around 2 p.m. At times during Saturday's demonstration, the sun broke through.

Photos: 50501 Movement, Bloomington (April 19, 2025)