This story was originally published in the Alaska Beacon.
A crowd of over 300 demonstrators rallied in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, part of nationwide Presidents Day protests condemning President Donald Trump and his administration’s actions as anti-democratic and illegal, particularly the recent firing of federal employees and treatment of marginalized groups.
Similar protests took place across the state, including in Petersburg, Ketchikan, Cordova, Palmer, Anchorage, and Fairbanks, according to social media posts, as part of the 50501 movement, which stands for “50 states. 50 protests. 1 movement” protesting the Trump administration.
“Let today’s protest help to reignite any flame in you that has gone out. Let the collective power of our community hold you up in these troubling and scary times,” said Summer Christiansen, one of the organizers, to the crowd.
Demonstrators carried signs focused on actions of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE, making sweeping cuts to federal agencies, programs and the workforce.
“People are scared; they’re scared for their jobs,” said one demonstrator carrying a sign saying “Alaska needs NOAA.” “I think people are really reeling right now and scrambling to figure out what they’re going to do.”
As an employee of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Alaska, they asked to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation as the federal firings unfold. “My personal story, I spent nine years in grad school, five years in post doc. I’ve wanted to work for NOAA a long time,” they said. “If I cared about money, I would have gone to Wall Street, but I care about our environment and our people. And NOAA provides a lot of services to Alaska, the rural and coastal communities here really get a lot of information from us, and I’m worried.”
Ralliers called for protecting democracy, justice and equal rights for all, especially of minority groups like immigrants, LGBTQ youth, and transgender communities.
“Kids need health care,” said Leslie Wood, holding a sign that read ‘Protect Trans Rights’ with her wife Jean Findley, of Juneau. “We have family members who are trans,” added Findley. “So it was really life saving and life enhancing for them to own their own gender, after having gender dysphoria, and they just really blossomed, you know, after that. I want everybody to be able to blossom and be themselves. Trans rights are everybody’s rights, civil rights,” she said.
Other demonstrator’s signs read “Resist the Coup,” “Hate will tear us apart” and “F-Elon not my president” referring to Trump’s felony record and Elon Musk’s unelected status.
Speakers urged the public to stand united, continue pressure on elected officials, and demand a fair and accountable government.
“Don’t panic, and don’t quit!” said Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, speaking to the crowd. “It’s coming at us shot after shot after shot, and that’s a tactic. It causes confusion, and it causes exhaustion. … That’s why we’re here today: We’re here to call for change. We’re here to call for controls. We’re here to call for people, elected officials especially at the federal level, to stand up for the United States Constitution.”
Corinne Smith started reporting in Alaska in 2020, serving as a radio reporter for several local stations across the state including in Petersburg, Haines, Homer and Dillingham. She spent two summers covering the Bristol Bay fishing season. Originally from Oakland, California, she got her start as a reporter, then morning show producer, at KPFA Radio in Berkeley. She completed a master's degree focused on investigative journalism in 2024 at USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in Los Angeles. She is thrilled to be back in Alaska and based in Juneau, covering education and social and criminal justice.
