Protests Nationwide Against Trump and Griffin Actions

On February 17, 2025, approximately 150 protesters gathered in Jacksonville, Florida, as part of the Northeast Florida President’s Day Rally, voicing opposition to former President Trump's administration, mass deportations, Elon Musk's corporate influence, and Project 2025. The rally featured various speakers, including retired teacher Gerry Leigh, who criticized the political climate and called for resistance against what they termed fascism. Concurrently, rallies titled 'People v. Griffin' took place across North Carolina, protesting Republican Jefferson Griffin's legal attempts to invalidate over 60,000 ballots from the November elections, which many view as an effort to undermine democracy. These protests were fueled by frustrations over Griffin's refusal to accept election results, described by attendees as emblematic of a broader trend in the political landscape. In Fayetteville, the rally saw over 50 attendees, and tensions escalated when a protestor was arrested during the event for allegedly violating a noise ordinance. Activists emphasized the importance of these rallies in defending voting rights and community engagement.