BLOOMFIELD, NJ – It wasn’t just Jesus rising on Easter weekend this year, across New Jersey, the call for protesters to “Rise Up” against the White House went out.
And aging, greying women showed up in droves. They have replaced the young and violent Antifa driven crowds of the 2020 “Summer of Love” and are the new face of the Democrat party’s protest movement.
No longer burning down cities, but still vandalizing Teslas, the new movement was able to rally, but the real question is, was anyone else actually paying attention?
On Easter weekend, thousands of New Jersey residents took to the streets as part of the nationwide “50501” protests, billed as “50 protests, 50 states, one movement.” Rallies in Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, West Caldwell, Atlantic City, Newton, Piscataway, and Trenton drew significant crowds, with older and elderly women, many over 60, forming a striking majority.
Braving rainy weather, these women led chants and carried signs opposing President Donald Trump’s policies, prompting questions about why this demographic dominated the demonstrations.
The “50501” movement, a grassroots campaign that spread rapidly online, organized rallies across the country to protest Trump’s executive actions, including proposed tariffs, mass deportation plans, and cuts to government programs. In New Jersey, the largest event unfolded at Trenton’s Statehouse Annex Plaza, where hundreds gathered, chanting “No to Fascism!” and holding signs like “Protect Social Security” and “Stop the Tariffs.” Smaller rallies in suburban towns like Bloomfield’s One Municipal Plaza and Glen Ridge’s Ridgewood Avenue intersection saw similar scenes, with gray-haired women leading the charge, some using canes or umbrellas for support.
Why Older Women Took the Lead
Several factors explain the strong presence of older and elderly women at these Easter weekend protests:
Fears for Social Security and Medicare
Many older women voiced alarm over potential threats to Social Security and Medicare, critical for their financial stability. Recent moves to close Social Security offices and suggestions of program cuts have heightened concerns. At the Trenton rally, a 68-year-old retiree held a sign reading, “Hands Off My Benefits!” She said, “I worked decades for my Social Security. They can’t take it from me.” Women, who often rely more on these programs due to longer lifespans and lower earnings, feel particularly at risk.
Economic Anxiety from Market Volatility
Trump’s tariff policies have sparked stock market declines, threatening retirement savings. In Bloomfield, a 70-year-old former nurse shared, “My savings dropped last month, and I’m scared it’ll get worse.” Older women, many managing fixed incomes or household finances, are deeply affected by rising costs for groceries and healthcare, pushing them to protest policies they see as economically destabilizing.
A History of Activism
Many of these women, baby boomers who grew up during the civil rights and women’s rights movements, view protesting as a continuation of their lifelong commitment to justice. In Glen Ridge, a 66-year-old former activist said, “I marched for women’s rights in the ‘60s. Now I’m here for my kids and grandkids.” Concerns about rollbacks to reproductive rights, immigrant protections, and other social issues have rekindled their activist spirit, especially during the symbolic Easter season.
Community Engagement and Moral Duty
The “50501” protests emphasized community action, resonating with older women active in local churches or volunteer groups. In West Caldwell, a 67-year-old organizer collected food donations alongside the rally, stating, “This is about standing up for our neighbors.” The Easter weekend’s themes of renewal and compassion likely amplified their sense of urgency, drawing them to public demonstrations.
The prominence of older women in New Jersey’s “50501” protests reflects their deep concerns about personal security and societal values. Their turnout underscores the power of this demographic, often overlooked in protest movements, to mobilize when issues like retirement benefits, economic stability, and social rights are at stake. As the Trump administration moves forward with its agenda, these women signal a determined resistance, rooted in both personal stakes and a legacy of activism.
The Easter weekend rallies, though peaceful, have set the stage for continued demonstrations, with older women likely to remain at the forefront.