Protesters gather at Indiana Statehouse to oppose Trump and Project 2025

Protests were held at state capitols across the country Wednesday to oppose Project 2025 and the Trump administration.

The 50501 Movement — that stands for 50 protests in 50 states on one day — was a largely decentralized protest organized on social media, particularly via the 50501 Reddit community.

In Indianapolis, protesters gathered around the Indiana Statehouse at noon. The primary issue of the day was the Trump administration’s embrace of conservative legislation and executive orders, which many have connected to the controversial Project 2025 agenda.

In addition to federal-level actions by the Trump administration, many Hoosiers gathered to protest what state lawmakers are doing in the ongoing Indiana legislative session.

Christian Hess, an organizer for the protest, delivered a message to Indiana lawmakers who seem to be following the Project 2025 blueprint.

“It seems to be the initiative of this administration for quick wins,” Hess said, “and I can understand and acknowledge the desire to enact fast change out of frustration, but the consequences of that are people get hurt, and things do not work correctly.”

Another focal point of the protest was opposing the involvement of unelected billionaires like Elon Musk in federal politics. Multiple signs voiced frustration with Musk’s proximity and influence with the Trump administration.

“Billionaires don't belong running the halls out there of Washington, until they've been approved by Congress,” said Sonya Hayes, a political organizer from Jasper County who drove two hours to attend the event.

Hayes also came to make her voice heard for more personal reasons.

“In 1995 I had a second trimester miscarriage, and I had to have a D&C to save my uterus and my life. My baby had a heartbeat, but no brain," Hayes said. "My OB-GYN told me in 2022 had I been going through that then, nobody in Indiana would have given me an abortion.”

The protest was personal for Hess, too. As he addressed the crowd, speaking into a bullhorn, he said, “I'm watching people in my community be targeted. I'm watching people at my mosque be targeted. And I can't stand idly by anymore.”

Another attendee, Jackson Franklin, said his experiences as a veteran motivated him to show up.

“Well, we're all here to oppose the authoritarian agenda of Project 2025,” Franklin said. “Obviously, Trump just said yesterday that he wants to send U.S. troops to Gaza… just me personally, as a veteran, I will not go to Gaza, all right, to fight for their genocide.”

Throughout the afternoon, a selection of people gave speeches in front of the Statehouse before the crowd took to the sidewalk to march and chant. Hess said he estimated 250 to 300 people attended.

Contact WFYI Digital Producer and Reporter Jeremy Reuben at jreuben@wfyi.org.