Resistance against Trump: social agendas and the defense of democracy: article by Mario Luis Fuentes

Mario Luis Fuentes

The United States of America is in the center of a political hurricane. The re-election of Donald Trump and his return to the White House have sparked a wave of protests that cross the country, from the streets of New York to Los Angeles. Voices of resistance have emerged in at least 300 cities and towns, denouncing policies that across broad sectors pose a threat to human rights, social justice and democracy itself.

The anti-Trump protests have brought together a diverse coalition of social actors. These include human rights organizations, migrant communities, LGBT+ groups, feminist movements, environmental groups and associations focused on fighting poverty and addiction. This plurality of voices reflects the complexity of the problems facing this country under Trump, as well as the urgency of addressing the structural problems that affect millions of people.

The migration agenda has become one of the main flags of resistance. Since his campaign, Trump has promised to strengthen mass deportations, strengthen conditions in detention centers and recovery as the “Remain in Mexico” program. In cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, migrant communities have led mass marches demanding respect for human rights and immigration reform that prioritizes dignity and inclusion, while local officials have publicly demonstrated their differences and even destroyed measures that could be implemented in the following weeks.

For its part, the LGBTQ+ community has also raised its voice against attempts to restrict rights to equal marriage and legal recognition of trans identities. Organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign organized mobilizations in states such as California, Massachusetts and Minnesota, emphasizing the need to protect gains made in recent decades.

The feminist movement has also mobilized strongly, particularly against Trump’s proposals that seek to limit access to voluntary abortion and reproductive health services. Since their inauguration, thousands of women have marched in Washington and other cities to denounce the unacceptable failure to gain rights.

The rollback of Trump’s environmental policies, which focused on deregulation and promotion of fossil fuels, has helped environmental groups lead protests in states such as Oregon, Colorado and Florida; These marches and protests may increase in size, also given USIS’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. As a result, activists and scientists have warned of the catastrophic impact these measures could have on climate change and global biodiversity, calling for stronger international action in this area.

On the other hand, growing economic inequality and violence in marginalized communities were also central issues in these protests. Community organizations in cities like Detroit and Baltimore have called attention to the need to invest in social programs that combat poverty and provide alternatives for vulnerable youth.

In a country battered by the opioid crisis, and particularly fentanyl, Trump’s proposals to cut rehab programs have set off alarm bells. Support groups and mental health networks have organized vigils and marches in states such as Ohio and Virginia Westenthal, where the drug crisis has left family tragedies and calls for Trump administration policies not to scale back militant Mexican cartels.

According to the most recent reports, protests took place in at least 300 cities across the country. Washington, D.C. was the epicenter of mass mobilizations on January 18, 2025, when thousands of people participated in the People’s March. Cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco also recorded significant demonstrations. In the South, Texas and Arizona were the stars of marches organized by migrant communities and civil rights groups.

An important aspect of these mobilizations is determining whether they will have persistence and influence over time, as well as their ability to influence public opinion and the political agenda. Historically, protests in the United States have had significant impact when they have been structured around clear strategies and broad alliances. Examples such as the civil rights movement of the 1960s demonstrate that organized resistance can even change the course of history in this country, as well as elsewhere where American influence is felt.

However, the current context raises certain issues. On the one hand, political polarization hinders consensus building. The Trump administration has strong support from its conservative base, which sees the protests as an attempt to delegitimize their government.

The effectiveness of these protests will depend largely on their ability to translate outrage into concrete political action. This includes mobilizing voters, getting sick in Congress, and using legal tools to stop reforms deemed harmful. In this sense, grassroots organizations such as the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) and movements such as Black Lives Matter play a fundamental role in formulating effective resistance.

Regarding the future of American democracy, the protests also have a symbolic purpose: remember that democratic values ​​such as inclusion, justice and human rights are not negotiable. The ability of these mobilizations to endure will depend on their ability to remain relevant, adapt to changing circumstances, and find innovative forms of social and political pressure.

The protests against Donald Trump in 2025 are a reflection of a divided country, as well as a society wanting to protect its fundamental values. Migration, sexual diversity, women’s diversity, the environment, poverty, violence and addiction are at the center of these struggles, which promise to mark the immediate future of the United States with urgency.

History is replete with examples of movements that, with determination and organization, achieved significant change. The key question is whether this resistance can not only contain Trump’s reforms but also strengthen a democracy that now faces one of its biggest challenges.

Researcher at Pued-Unam

Source: Aristegui Noticias

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