Around 120 Chestnut Hill and nearby residents gathered in Chestnut Hill on March 22 to protest the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE.

The protest, which they dubbed  "Fight Fascism," was connected to a grassroots initiative known as 50501, which includes a variety of events run by independent volunteers. According to the 50501 website, the movement aims to fight to uphold the Constitution and end executive overreach. Carol Cole, a six-year Chestnut Hill resident, organized the local protest. 

The protest began at the intersection of Cresheim Valley Drive and Germantown Avenue. Participants remained there for about an hour, holding up signs before marching up Germantown Avenue. As they proceeded up the hill, Cole noted that passing cars honked their horns in support.

Cole said that while Chestnut Hill is largely Democratic, many Democrats don't know how to organize – and risk becoming complacent. She said the purpose of the protesting was to "wake people up." 

“I think a lot of people feel powerless because of the speed at which things are happening. The executive orders are being signed so quickly, and it's hard for many people to stay on top of the news, they get overwhelmed, and they shut down," Cole said. "Our message is that they cannot shut down, that we are the people, that there are more of us than there are in the government, and it's up to us. Nobody's coming to save us."

According to Cole, 50501 is a loosely connected organization with no set leadership or power structure.

"The 50501 movement, which is 50 states, 50 capitals, one movement, is a resistance movement that I believe was founded recently in January," Cole told the Local. "Their main goal is to fight the dictatorship that's taking over our country right now."