Protesters in Washington D.C. joined the "Free America" walkout on Tuesday to rally against U.S. government policies, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump's second term.
The Washington demonstration was part of more than 800 walkouts staged across the United States and in countries including Canada, France and Italy.
Organisers urged participants to leave work and school and avoid shopping, aiming to disrupt daily routines, draw attention online, and flood social media with images of the protest.
Many demonstrators voiced deep anxiety about the country's trajectory.
"I'm worried about the future of this country. I mean, we're on a path that is just unbelievable," said a protester.
"Utter disregard for the constitution. I mean, we don't even have a president. A president of the United States would abide by the U.S. Constitution," said another protester.
The protest focused on a wide range of grievances, specifically the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, the deployment of the National Guard to U.S. cities, and what demonstrators perceive as an erosion of constitutional rights.
On January 7, Renee Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis during a federal enforcement operation.
"All immigration policy, the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis. I mean, I get a visceral feeling when I see stuff like that. And I just don't know how to respond. And this is one way that I can do. It may not have much of an effect, but at least I feel like I'm doing something," said a protester.
"Work and school can wait, but right now, we need to protect our America," said another protester.
Broader social demands, including a guaranteed living wage and universal health care, were also highlighted.
Organisers hope the walkouts will set the stage for what they call "Bigger Fights Ahead."
While the White House maintains it holds a mandate from voters to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, the tactical implementation of this policy is facing stiff resistance. Recent polling indicates that a majority of Americans now disapprove of the use of force by officers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), particularly as operations increasingly impact mixed-status families and citizens.
It comes as President Trump prepares to face global leaders in Davos amid diplomatic feuds with NATO and Canada. However, his administration is confronting a deepening crisis on the home front
Detention centre deaths mount
Grassroots organisations, including Indivisible and local labour unions, have focused their ire on the conditions within the expanding network of holding facilities. Organisers highlighted the grim situation in El Paso, Texas, where federal authorities confirmed that three detainees have died in custody over the last six weeks.
The rallies attracted significant youth participation. University students in Cleveland, Ohio, mobilised under the banner "No hate, no fear, refugees are welcome here," while high school students in Santa Fe, New Mexico, staged walkouts to attend a "Stop ICE Terror" rally at the state capitol.
Coast-to-coast mobilisation
Dissent spread westward throughout the day on Tuesday (20 January), with major actions planned for San Francisco and Seattle. These demonstrations are occurring against a backdrop of international isolation for the Trump administration.
As citizens marched in Los Angeles, the President was en route to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, leaving behind a nation divided by his threats to NATO and trade wars with neighbours, only to face a domestic populace increasingly willing to confront federal authority on the streets.
Nordic and Baltic leaders arrived in Kyiv for Ukraine’s Flag Day on Sunday as Russia continued its drone campaign and Kyiv warned of a potent...
Syria expects negotiations with Israel over a security agreement to resume soon despite deep mistrust between the two sides, Syrian Foreign Ministe...
Iran on Saturday denounced U.S. plans to announce new sanctions that could put further strain on the Islamic Repub...
Russia is open to listening to new proposals on how to reach a settlement on the Ukraine conflict, a senior Russian diplomat said, but any proposals should reflect the "realities on the ground".
A large-scale drone attack has hit Russia's Samara region, damaging facilities and disrupting operations at an Ozon logistics complex, according to regional authorities and the company.
Iran on Saturday denounced U.S. plans to announce new sanctions that could put further strain on the Islamic Republic's economy and have an impact on its most important trading partners including China.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran was not ready to make what he called the "right deal" with Washington as tensions persisted over the war and the Strait of Hormuz.
Türkiye said on Thursday it would continue helping Syria strengthen its military, despite rising tensions with Israel over Ankara’s role in the country.
Syria expects negotiations with Israel over a security agreement to resume soon despite deep mistrust between the two sides, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said in an interview with Reuters, urging Israel to seize an "historic opportunity" as the door for diplomacy is open.
Nordic and Baltic leaders arrived in Kyiv for Ukraine’s Flag Day on Sunday as Russia continued its drone campaign and Kyiv warned of a potential new Russian mobilisation.
India's Coast Guard and Navy continued search-and-rescue operations off the eastern coast on Sunday after a Panama-flagged cargo vessel carrying 24 crew sank, with two Chinese nationals rescued, a senior official said.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has called for continued military strength and national unity during a visit to the sensitive frontline island of Kinmen, saying peace must be protected "through strength."
The European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism sent helicopters and firefighters to help Serbia fight a massive wildfire in a nature reserve in the northeast of the country, the head of the European Union mission to Belgrade said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment