Hundreds gather at Virginia State Capitol to protest Trump policies

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Hundreds gathered at the Virginia State Capitol Wednesday to protest President Trump’s policies.

Protestors are calling for transparency, accountability and the prioritization of human rights and equality after the president signed a series of executive orders.

”I want more transparency on lobbying, corporate lobbying in Congress. I want Project 2025 to be dismantled. It’s unconstitutional, and it takes away people’s rights. We need more regulation to what Trump can do,” organizer Dia Figueroa said.

Organizers say this is part of the larger “50 Protests, 50 States, 1 Day Movement” that seeks to push back against Project 2025.

The movement was put on by a coalition of grassroots organizations partnering with Political Revolution.

“I am the parent of a demonized individual,” mom Sherrie Bingham said. “I have a trans child, and the laws being enacted against trans people, it’s just a Republican dog whistle. We’re normal people; we’re just average people trying to live our lives.”

The chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, Rich Anderson, said in a statement:

“Over the last decade, obstructionist Democrats have rallied in opposition to President Trump and have failed at every turn. The lightning-fast changes that President Trump has implemented in the three weeks since his inauguration are a no-holds-barred fulfillment of the massive mandate he received from the American people for revolutionary, not evolutionary, change. President Trump won the popular vote, the Electoral College and all seven battleground states, and Republicans won the US House and the US Senate. President Trump is now delivering on his promises to the American people. Leftist Democrats can resist and obstruct to their heart’s content on a single day or on many days, but they have failed the American people, who have now relegated their left-wing ideologies to the ash bin of history.”

16-year-old Matacoa High student human rights activist and founder of The Changemaker Diaries said the goal is to demand transparency, accountability and equality.

“So far, we have had the repeal of DEI policies, threatening the elimination of the Department of Education, nearly 30,000 immigrants deported, and these are serious critical issues because this is the land of the free,” Jones said.

Jones said she will continue to make her voice heard and hopes others will do the same.

“I want to see more action, I want to see more talk, and I want to see more people, more higher-ups working to stop Trump’s action because we can stand here, and we can protest, and we can tell you what we want, but our actions are limited,” Jones said.

12 On Your Side also contacted Governor Youngkin’s office for a comment but didn’t hear back.

Youngkin was in D.C. with President Trump Wednesday afternoon as he signed an executive order to bar transgender athletes from female sports.

Here’s a look at some other requests made by protestors:

• For Donald Trump to step down or be removed from the presidency through impeachment.
• Conduct mass investigations into politicians appointed by Donald Trump.
• Investigate Elon Musk’s role within the US government and take appropriate action if any federal or state laws are found to be violated.
• Overturn or rescind executive orders that infringe on citizen and human rights.
• Strengthen laws on hate speech, including banning displays of Nazi propaganda or salute.s
• Reinstate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) frameworks to promote better conditions for all citizens.