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The Not My President Topeka protest is scheduled for Presidents’ Day, February 16, at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka, followed by a second event Tuesday, February 17, titled “Stick It To Congress.” Both events are connected to the national 50501 organizing network and are focused on civic engagement, protest, and legislative advocacy.
Organizers say the Presidents’ Day Not My President gathering will center on defending democratic institutions and opposing what participants describe as authoritarian leadership. The following day’s “Stick It To Congress” event shifts from protest to direct civic action, encouraging constituents to contact and pressure lawmakers.
Not My President Topeka Protest – February 16
The Presidents’ Day rally will take place at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka. According to the event listing, participants will gather for speeches, open microphone participation, and a march.
Event details are listed here:
( www.ks50501.com/event-calendar/not-my-president/ )
The protest is part of the broader 50501 Movement, a decentralized national effort whose name references “50 protests, 50 states, one day.” The group has coordinated similar demonstrations nationwide focused on executive accountability, democratic norms, and civil liberties.
Additional organizing information can be found via:
( www.mobilize.us/50501missouri-1/?q=national%20day%20of%20lobbying&utm_source=50501 )
Local coverage of related statehouse demonstrations has appeared in Kansas media outlets, including:
( www.thisistopeka.com/2026/02/two-protests-are-scheduled-at-the-kansas-statehouse/ )
WHY WE’RE MOBILIZING
In the first week of 2026, the administration engaged in three flagrant abuses of power: (1) an unconstitutional military strike in Venezuela, (2) the extrajudicial murder of Renee Nicole Good by a member of the ICE paramilitary force for exercising her first amendment rights, and (3) the continued obstruction of justice for victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s child sex trafficking ring. A month into 2026, the administration has escalated their unchecked aggression against allies like Greenland and countries like Cuba, Colombia, and Mexico. ICE has kidnapped preschoolers and used them as bait for their parents, and the administration is considering deploying military police to back them up.
In short: It’s not getting better and Congress is not meeting the moment.
Democracy does not defend itself; it requires the active participation of the people. While countless Americans have already called, emailed, written letters, signed petitions, and while activist organizations have brought groups to Capitol Hill calling for impeachment, this moment demands something more visible, more direct, and more powerful: constituents showing up at congressional district offices, where staff rarely, if ever, engage with constituents.
“Stick It To Congress” – February 17 National Day of Lobbying
The second event, promoted under the banner “Stick It To Congress,” is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, at 11:30 a.m. on the north side of the Topeka Capitol building. Promotional graphics indicate participants will meet to advocate directly toward members of Congress.
Unlike the Presidents’ Day protest, this event emphasizes legislative pressure. Organizers describe it as part of a broader National Day of Lobbying, encouraging constituents to contact elected officials, leave messages, schedule meetings, and advocate for specific policy positions.
National event listings connected to this organizing effort appear here:
( www.mobilize.us/50501missouri-1/ )
The messaging suggests participants may use coordinated calls, written notes, and in-person engagement strategies aimed at congressional offices.
Broader Context: Civic Protest and Political Polarization
The Not My President Topeka protest fits within a longer tradition of Presidents’ Day demonstrations. “Not My President’s Day” protests have occurred in previous years in cities across the United States.
Background on earlier versions of similar protests:
( www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Not_My_Presidents_Day )
The Kansas State Capitol in Topeka has historically served as a focal point for civic demonstrations from across the political spectrum. Both supporters and critics of these movements argue that public protest is either a vital democratic safeguard or an example of deepening partisan division.
WHAT WE’RE DOING
FLARE USA and Citizens’ Impeachment are proud to co-host 50501 Movement’s next National Day of Action: in-district lobbying on February 17, 2026 for the impeachment of President Trump and the complete abolishment of ICE. Representatives will be in their districts; it’s time to catch them at home. It’s time to Remove the Regime AND abolish ICE!
Grassroots pro-democracy organizations, progressive primary candidates, and other concerned citizens will join together in leading constituents into the in-district offices of all 435 US House Representatives to demand impeachment and the abolishment of ICE.
Please choose which time works best for your community. Late morning and early afternoon times are encouraged.
This day of action will be nonviolent, lawful, and constitutional. This is a coordinated civic action calling for constitutional accountability. It is an exercise of our first amendment rights to free speech, freedom of assembly and the freedom to petition our government for redress of grievances.
Supporters of the 50501 events argue that visible civic participation strengthens democratic accountability. Critics contend that such messaging may intensify political polarization.
What Participants Can Expect
For the Presidents’ Day protest:
- Gathering and speeches
- Open microphone participation
- Peaceful assembly and march
For the “Stick It To Congress” lobbying event:
- Meeting at 11:30 a.m.
- Coordinated constituent outreach
- Direct advocacy efforts aimed at lawmakers
Organizers emphasize peaceful participation and constitutional First Amendment rights, respectfully, and actively in shaping the political future they wish to see.
NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION GOALS
This day of action is intended to demonstrate to our members of Congress the scope and the scale of the massive political will of the American people. Impeachment articles can be filed and brought to a vote by any member of Congress at any time using Rule IX. Likewise, Congress holds the power to defund and abolish ICE. They aren’t acting because they do not have the political will to do so. So we will lend them some of ours.
The goals for this IN-DISTRICT lobbying day to IMPEACH, CONVICT, REMOVE, DEFUND are:
- Ensure that every House Representative understands how Trump’s crimes against the constitution translates into direct harm to their constituents by sharing stories of how this administration has harmed you and your community.
- Every House Representative will hear directly from constituents that they want their member of Congress to assert their power as a co-equal branch of government and lead on impeachment and defunding ICE by filing articles and forcing votes on both of these critical initiatives.
- Emphasize that the push to impeach Trump, his enablers, and to defund ICE is a citizen-led demand that citizens will continue to pursue until Congress asserts itself and reigns in this unfit executive branch . (Constituents will be provided follow-up emails, instructions on how to write letters to the editors and pledge to visit again.)
- These demands will be visible, documented, and national in scope.
Annotated Bibliography & Relevant Links
Kansas 50501 — Official site (event calendar & mission)
Description: Primary organizer site for Kansas 50501; lists mission, events and contact info including the “Not My President” event detail pages and volunteer contacts. Use this as first-party source for organizer statements and event logistics.
Link: ( www.ks50501.com/ ) .
“Not My President” — KS50501 event listing / Facebook event
Description: Public event page with date/time/location, organizer posts and attendee interaction. Good for screenshots of organizer copy and event timing.
Link: ( www.facebook.com/events/state-capitol-building-topeka-kansas/not-my-president-ks50501-topeka-capitol/1245731780837932/ ) .
Mobilize — 50501 / National Day of Lobbying event listings
Description: Mobilize pages listing in-district lobbying / National Day of Lobbying events (Feb. 17) organized with 50501 and allied groups. Useful to demonstrate the coordinated, multi-state action and lobbying focus for Tuesday.
Link: ( www.mobilize.us/50501missouri-1/?q=national%20day%20of%20lobbying&utm_source=50501 ) .
Lawrence Indivisible — Event notice (“Not My President” & “Stick It To Congress”)
Description: Local advocacy group page promoting both the Presidents’ Day open-mic/march and the February 17 lobbying/office-visit plans. Helpful for local coalition context and exact meetup instructions.
Link: ( www.lawrenceindivisible.org/p/not-my-president-open-mic-and-march ) .
This Is Topeka — Local preview story: “Two protests are scheduled at the Kansas Statehouse.”
Description: Local news preview with event details and organizer quotes; useful for independent confirmation of schedule and planned activities.
Link: ( www.thisistopeka.com/2026/02/two-protests-are-scheduled-at-the-kansas-statehouse/ ) .
WIBW News — Coverage of prior 50501/statehouse protests (background)
Description: Local TV/newspaper coverage of earlier 50501 protests at the Kansas Statehouse (background on turnout, messaging, and community reaction). Use for historical/local reporting context.
Link: ( www.wibw.com/2025/07/19/we-need-remember-what-democracy-is-anti-trump-protestors-gather-outside-kansas-statehouse/ ) .
Mobilize — National Day of Action (sample event pages for Feb. 17, multi-city listings)
Description: Multiple Mobilize event pages showing coordinated Feb. 17 in-district lobbying events (examples from Joplin, St. Louis, Fayetteville etc.). Use to demonstrate national reach and the “day of lobbying” framing.
Link: ( www.mobilize.us/50501missouri-1/event/898802/ ) .
Kansas State Capitol — Visitor / official pages (address & visitor info)
Description: Official visitor information and address for the Kansas State Capitol (useful for the article’s location and directions).
Link: ( www.visittopeka.com/listing/kansas-state-capitol/100/ ) .
ACLU — Protesters’ Rights / Know Your Rights guides
Description: Authoritative, plain-language guidance on demonstrators’ First Amendment rights, time/place/manner restrictions, and what to do if rights are violated — excellent to cite for safety/rights information for attendees.
Link: ( www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights ) .
ACLU (PDF) — “Know Your Rights: Demonstrations and Protests” (downloadable guide)
Description: Printable guide that’s useful to link directly for readers planning to attend (legal protections, practical tips).
Link: ( www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/field_pdf_file/kyr_protests.pdf ) .
YouTube — Coverage / footage of prior 50501 protests at the Kansas Capitol
Description: Video of prior 50501 gatherings — visual evidence of turnout, signage, and routes; useful for embedding or linking to show readers what to expect.
Link: ( www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSUeYZn_7uE ) .
Governor Laura Kelly — public statement (Facebook) on planned demonstrations
Description: Public official’s comment on demonstrations and civic participation (if you want to include reaction from state leadership).
Link: ( www.facebook.com/GovLauraKelly/posts/see-below-for-my-statement-in-advance-of-this-weekends-planned-demonstrations-ac/1288046059546424/ ) .
Reddit / Community boards — local discussion threads re: permit and schedules
Description: Community discussion and permit details; good for local sentiment and to cross-check crowd-sourced reports on timing and permits (use carefully; treat as anecdotal).
Link: ( www.reddit.com/r/kansas/comments/1r38mte/presidents_day_protest_topeka_state_capitol/ ) .
Not My President Topeka protest
Stick It To Congress Topeka
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Kansas State Capitol protest
50501 Movement Kansas
National Day of Lobbying Topeka
Topeka political protest
Kansas democracy rally
Topeka KS events
Topeka activism
Kansas political events
Kansas State Capitol events
Shawnee County protest
Northeast Kansas news
Defend democracy rally
Anti authoritarian protest
Civic engagement event
Constituent lobbying day
Grassroots organizing Kansas
First Amendment rally
Political accountability protest
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