Dozens of Mass. organizations protest Musk, Trump policies in ‘Stop the Coup' rally

Hundreds of people organized by a broad coalition of organizations in Massachusetts gathered Friday to protest what they described as a "coup" led by Elon Musk and President Donald Trump.

Gathering on Boston Common at noon, the organizers called on state and federal leaders to oppose the "Musk-Trump agenda." They admonished the administration's recent actions targeting the transgender community and immigrants.

"It's a class fight, quite frankly," said rallygoer Rudy Lautner. "People want a hold on the power and it's always been time but now more than ever it's time to keep fighting against that."

Trump signed a series of executive orders in the first few weeks of his new term on a wide range of topics from immigration to climate change. With Democrats voicing their objects to Trump’s agenda, protests have multiplied.

The president has also faced legal challenges to some of his actions as the administration pushes the limits on what's traditionally expected of the office. Recent polls have shown that Trump is still enjoying relatively high approval ratings.

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The "Stop the Coup" protest was organized by nearly 100 organizations, ranging from the ACLU to the Sierra Club. The rally will also feature speakers from TransResistance, the Brazilian Workers Center, and the Palestinian Youth Movement, among others.

After the rally, the groups marched through the Common and down to a federal office building in Government Center.

"We know that the only way that we are able to defeat fascists, historically speaking, has been with the power of love, community and unity," said Estefani "Tefa" Galvis of the Democratic Socialists of America.

Massachusetts Republican Party Chair Amy Carnevale, who did not take part in the rally, believes that Trump's plan will ultimately bring greater affordability and freedoms to Bay Staters, and invited those who did rally to find compromise.

"Think about reaching out and having a conversation with the Trump administration about your priorities and perhaps thinking about different ways to achieve shared objectives," she said.

Friday's event came after hundreds of people gathered for a "Stop the Coup" protest in Boston Common last week. Similar protests were held across the country to denounce Trump's policies and Musk's role as the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency.