Organizing in a Red State
When the 50501 Movement began in late January, it quickly gained traction across the country. People with diverse experiences joined in a shared struggle to uphold the Constitution and push back against the flurry of executive actions taken by the Trump administration. The most visible protests occurred in some of the bluest states, but there were also smaller protests in red states organized by citizens equally dedicated to the cause. Sharing experiences from deep red states, like Oklahoma, matters now more than ever because while this is a nationwide movement, the challenges posed vary dramatically by state, and understanding strengthens solidarity.
In Oklahoma, protests come with real risks. Trump won every county and 66 percent of the overall vote in 2024 and he enjoys passionate support in the state. Protests are not inherently safe spaces, and counterprotests can be a cause for concern. In addition to counterprotest confrontations, law enforcement may not always act in the interest of safety for protestors. State laws are designed to deter protest activity, including steep fines and jail time for protestors who block traffic and immunity for drivers who harm protestors while fleeing a “riot.” We hire security and take other steps to ensure that our events are as safe as possible.
It is daunting to challenge a system designed to suppress dissent and intimidate the minority, but we must also battle apathy in our fellow citizens. Oklahoma ranks 50th in voter turnout—not because people don’t care, but because they are exhausted, disillusioned, or afraid. Political action is seen as disruptive, and organizing becomes a fight to get people to overcome their fear and indifference and to stand up for change. All too often, the silence and apathy of those we love can feel louder than the hate of the opposition.
Most of us work jobs where our employers, coworkers, or clients fundamentally—sometimes vehemently—disagree with what we stand for. Even if they do agree with our values, they may disagree with protesting. Sometimes, just being seen at a protest can put your livelihood at risk. You could have a peaceful, successful protest and get local news attention, only to pay for it the next morning with harassment, ostracism, lost clients, or lost jobs.
Online harassment and trolls aren’t unique to Oklahoma, but they have a unique influence here. We’ve seen known doxxers treated like journalists, weaponizing platforms like X to threaten, harass, and put our people at risk. Our state superintendent appointed Chaya Raichik, of @libsoftiktok infamy, to the Library Media Advisory Committee, granting her a ridiculous level of legitimacy. Organizers have to be ever vigilant about protecting their identities and the identities of members of the community to prevent doxxing and cyberbullying.
The first 50501 protest in February garnered a lot of attention and brought a huge wave of new voices into activism. For those of us who have been doing this work for years, it’s natural to feel a mix of complex emotions. Some express hope and renewed enthusiasm, while others battle with a very natural feeling of frustration, as a growing number begin to recognize the danger we’ve been warning about. Instead of letting resentment take root, we focus on building a movement grounded in growth and solidarity. We know we’re stronger together, building bridges, not walls. Despite this knowledge, much of the energy our organizers devote is to ensure that our spaces are safe for everyone because everyone has a place in this movement, and our job is to help them find it.
In Oklahoma, we know that no matter how hard we fight, most battles will be lost. Terrible legislation that targets and suppresses us will pass, and our voices will be ignored. This last week saw legislation advance that will strip our citizens of the right to initiate legislation via the petition process. There’s a bill advancing that would allow imprisonment for protesters who disrupt a worship service within one mile of a church. In response to the Black Lives Matter protests, a law was passed to provide immunity to a driver who injures or kills a protester if they are fleeing a “riot” and reasonably believe fleeing is necessary. We do get wins, but they are rare and bittersweet. It has taken three years to make it illegal for school employees to beat developmentally disabled students, but that’s the reality in deep red states. We must persist in the face of constant losses, and we celebrate wins that were unreasonably difficult to achieve.
Success is counted sweetest
By Emily Dickinson
Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne'er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.
Not one of all the purple Host
Who took the Flag today
Can tell the definition
So clear of victory
As he defeated — dying —
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Burst agonized and clear!
Our fellow red state organizers understand that religion is often an oppressive, discriminatory force used to justify horrific acts of violence and legislation, but we have found some of our strongest partners in faith spaces as well. Faith leaders have opened their doors, spoken from our podiums, and marched alongside us. We may not all be religious or conform to traditional religious mores, but these faith leaders—embodying compassion, humility, and love—stand beside us despite our differences. They are some of our most passionate supporters and are vital to the success of our movement.
Because there is a smaller grassroots base in red states, we often struggle with funding, and we never have a budget. All of our supplies come from dedicated organizers who borrow, improvise, reuse, and find joy in making something out of nothing. We have learned to appreciate the art of organizing with nothing but creativity, community, and duct tape.
Photograph via Oklahoma 50501
The connections we make in this work last a lifetime, and this is the best part. We have become more than just friends here in Oklahoma; we’ve become family, filling the void for many of us who have lost family over this. We have the mom who always shows up with snacks. We have the dad who is always standing by with Bluey band-aids. We celebrate and support each other’s wins and crazy ideas. It’s not always sunshine and rainbows; this fight is real, and it’s heavy. It asks a lot of us, but at the end of the day, we are all in this fight together, and we find strength in community.
Even in the face of failure, ridicule, and intimidation, we have found purpose, hope, and most importantly, each other. We are building something to outlast the opposition, embrace the vulnerable, and ensure strong community resistance to the growing threat of fascism and hate. The wonderful thing about the 50501 movement is that no local group looks the same or shares the same set of struggles, but we are all doing what we can locally to make real change nationally. Our strength is rooted in our differences, enabling vast pools of knowledge and offering a rich understanding as we fight for our collective future.
We hope that as this movement grows, more people in both red and blue states are inspired to GET IN THE FIGHT! We hope those reading this in red states, who have been dismissed by government leaders and discouraged by constant losses, KEEP GOING! Finally, we hope all people across the nation who feel lost in an increasingly chaotic world FIND PURPOSE IN EACH OTHER!
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