On July 4th, in Washington DC and all over the country, we took to the streets to Declare Our Independence from Trump’s Fascist America!
It matters that 1000 people marched up to the White House chanting Trump Must Go Now! – just before Trump signed the bill. At 5:00, we staged a die-in and moment of silence, followed by the people rising up with the demand that we must stay in the streets to make real: Trump Must Go Now!
Protesters had started gathering at Logan Circle at noon ahead of a 2pm rally, bringing their outrage and determination and volunteering on the spot to help carry signs and banners. Both rallies were powerfully emceed by Sam Goldman, host of the Refuse Fascism podcast, and Justice and Kate, organizers with Refuse Fascism NorCal and D.C.
A broad range of speakers including Jim Keady, Reverend Graylan Hagler, Rev. Dr. Stephany Rose Spaulding, Sophia Zoe Kilmer, Noche Diaz, Tony, an organizer with Refuse Fascism DMV and El Pueblo Unido, and Ralph, a veteran and leader in the D.C. chapter of Refuse Fascism, exposed the ongoing horrors and danger of the Trump fascist regime, and inspired the crowd with a call to courage and a fighting spirit.
Sunsara Taylor and Andy Zee, co-initiators of Refuse Fascism, went deeper into why we must put everything on the line to stop this fascism before it consolidates, and why it CAN be defeated with an unrelenting mass struggle of millions.
The band Waking Stone performed an anthem with our slogan and demand that energized the crowd before the march, and the DC Activist Street Band gave musical accompaniment to the marchers. Watch this compilation video for highlights from DC and LA.
From the Streets of DC: July 4th with Refuse Fascism
A Report from Daniel, a volunteer
On July 4th 2025, Refuse Fascism marched in Washington D.C., to declare our independence from Trump’s fascist America. Before the march began, volunteers asked attendees (from across the country) why they came. One group of women attended because “we’re in the heart of where it’s all happening… let us use our voices” for a good cause. Their message to those seeking to remain neutral in this fight: “Silence is compliance.” These women didn’t let the tedious trek to D.C. stop them from standing with us!
The pre-march rally kicked off with an array of moving speakers, including Refuse Fascism organizers, a civil rights attorney, a professor, multiple reverends, a trans rights organizer, a former politician, activists, and musicians. Rev. Graylan Hagler pulled no punches in his speech using a prosthesis: “We’ve got to stand up, even if we’ve got a prosthesis! We’ve got to preach anyway.” He warned that ignoring Trump’s fascist attacks immigrants and people of color only invites wider persecution. His call to action ensnared a rapt crowd: “Don’t sit down! Don’t keep quiet! Make these folks sick and tired that they woke you up!” The example he set on July 4th begs a critical question: What more can we do RIGHT NOW to stand up to this fascist regime?
In her speech, Sunsara Taylor discussed Fourth of July celebration cancellations in Southern California, “Why?…Because these are immigrant communities, because of the terror, because of the kidnappings, because of the masked men, because of the marked vans, because of the cramped overcrowded detention centers, because of the lack of food, the denial of lawyers, the medical deprivation, lack of water, and 56 men in a cramped cell sharing one open pit toilet with no privacy.” She then compared the current catastrophe to the horrors committed by Nazi Germany: “Jewish families hid… and saw their neighborhoods fall silent. And today, this dehumanization and violent disappearing of one section of society is a BATTERING RAM for a larger fascist program.” This speech powerfully illustrates why, IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY, TRUMP MUST GO NOW! Otherwise, the Trump fascist administration will escalate its program against immigrants, minorities, and anyone who opposes the regime!
The protest continued with Andy Zee, co-initiator of Refuse Fascism, a civil rights attorney and a trans activist speaking on acting with determined courage to demand TRUMP MUST GO NOW. With the White House as a backdrop, Morgan, Karen, and Paul led a dramatic reading of our “Declaration of Independence” from the Fascist Trump agenda (see: RefuseFascism.org). The declaration argues that it is “the responsibility of the people to drive” fascist governments from power, to preserve “democratic rights” and stop fascist regimes from advancing White Supremacist, misogynistic, xenophobic aims. Substantial evidence of MAGA movement pursuing these goals is also provided (e.g., attacking teaching of Black/Native history, restricting women’s bodily rights, immigrant abductions, arresting opposition politicians). In the words of the Declaration, WE THE PEOPLE have a DUTY to rise against MAGA fascism.
Finally, members engaged in a die-in, where everyone laid/kneeled down in solidarity with millions of people who will die needlessly in foreign detention centers, and after losing access to health care following Big Fascist Bill (BFB) cuts to Planned Parenthood and Medicaid. Once members stood up, the group began a fierce rendition of “the Biggest Chant Heard Around the World”: TRUMP MUST GO NOW! for several minutes. As the chant ended, America’s fascist in chief ordered military bombers to fly over the White House to celebrate the passage of the BFB. NEVER FORGET we’re facing a fragile fascist who celebrates passing legislation funding an outrageous ICE agency, snatching health care away from millions, and defunding women’s health with a military flyover out of Putin’s Russia!
Speaker Acknowledgments
* Jim Keady, longtime activist, educator, former City Council Member for Asbury Park New Jersey
* Rev Graylan Hagler Senior Advisor – Fellowship of Reconciliation, USA, Pastor Emeritus of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, Washington, DC
* Noche Diaz, Spokesperson for the Revcom Corp for the Emancipation of Humanity
* Rev Dr. Stephany Rose Spaulding, longtime fighter for Civil Rights and leader of Politivist Action founded by Cori Bush
* Ralph, a veteran, retired federal worker and organizer with Refuse Fascism DMV
*Sunsara Taylor, co-initator of Refuse Fascism
Before kicking off our march the band Waking Stone performed an anthem with the Refuse Fascism Slogans.
The DC Activist Street Band led us in a “Trump Must Be Removed” version of We Shall Not Be Moved
*Andy Zee, co-initiator of Refuse Fascism
*Reading of Refuse Fascism Declaration (Paul Street, Historian, Refuse Fascism Editorial Board; Morgan and Karen (Organizers, Refuse Fascism DMV)
*Tony, Organizer with Refuse Fascism DMV and El Pueblo Unido
*Sophia Zoe Kilmer, attorney and civil rights, activist