Cover photo: A protestor outside the H. Lee Dennison Building, Hauppauge, May 2024 (Credit – Matt Meduri)
Hundreds of progressive activists gathered outside Congressman Andrew Garbarino’s (R-Bayport) district office on Oak Street in Patchogue over the holiday weekend, as part of a coordinated national demonstration labeled the “50501 campaign,” which staged simultaneous protests across all fifty states.
Billed as part of the “Stop Trump, Speak Up” movement, the protest targeted President Donald Trump (R-FL) and Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.) Senior Advisor to the President Elon Musk, and aimed criticism at Republican lawmakers who organizers claim are aligned with them.
While promoted as a peaceful protest, the event quickly drew controversy and tension as a group of Trump supporters, exercising their own First Amendment rights, arrived to push back against what they viewed as a partisan attack on conservative voices and governance.
The protest in Patchogue was one of many driven by progressive organizers and left-wing advocacy groups that have increasingly sought to paint Trump-era policies, and now Musk’s leadership of D.O.G.E., as threats to democracy, a narrative that many conservatives reject as exaggerated and politically motivated.
Protesters voiced opposition to a wide array of issues, from federal deregulation to digital privacy concerns, but many on the ground offered vague or generalized accusations. Critics argue that these demonstrations are more about generating political momentum heading into the midterm election cycle than engaging in substantive debate.
Congressman Garbarino continues to serve residents of Suffolk County and hosted a recent telephone town hall with thousands of constituents and reaffirmed his commitment to delivering practical results for the district, rather than engaging with protestors in what his supporters describe as political theater.
Despite this, protest organizers took aim at Garbarino, accusing him of not being vocal enough in opposing former President Trump and Musk. However, Garbarino consistently emphasizes the importance of focusing on local issues such as infrastructure, Veterans’ services, and economic development, a position many voters in his district support.
The counter-protest by Trump supporters added a striking visual contrast to the demonstration. Waving American flags and campaign signs, they voiced support for Trump’s legacy of economic growth, border security, and regulatory reform, principles that have remained popular among conservative constituents across Long Island.
Some critics of the protest questioned the motives of the “50501 campaign,” calling it a coordinated media spectacle designed to distract from the challenges, including rising inflation, energy instability, and concerns over free speech on digital platforms.
Observers also noted the increasingly aggressive tone of some activist movements, which they believe undermine civil discourse and vilify anyone who holds opposing political views. Calls for elected officials to “speak up” are often interpreted as demands to fall in line with a specific political ideology, rather than genuine invitations for bipartisan conversation.
As the event ended, the protesters vow to continue their efforts in the coming months. However, for many residents, the demonstration raised more questions than answers about what these groups ultimately seek to achieve, and whether their tactics are unifying or polarizing the communities they claim to represent.
For Congressman Garbarino and his supporters, the message was clear: stay focused on delivering tangible results for NY-02, not on chasing headlines created by national activist groups.
