*Derek Davis of Spartanburg, South Carolina. (All photos made Feb. 5, 2025 at the South Carolina Statehouse in Columbia, SC by Sean Rayford)*

Derek Davis, of Spartanburg, South Carolina served in the U.S. Army. He made four trips to Afghanistan, three to Iraq and one to the Philippines. After leaving the military he struggled to find a purpose.

That is, until now. He says he is freaking people out because they’ve never seen “Derek Davis be politically active in his life.”

“I avoid conflict despite being trained for war, but I am done. We have been systematically brainwashed as a country. We have been exploited as individuals. That's what they tell us — individualism, go west, young man. Get that little plot of land all for yourself. Make that money all for yourself. Buy crypto so you can get rich. Maybe you, too, can be one of the elite 1% and get your mega yacht. It's not gonna happen,” said Derek using the megphone, “You are not in the club.”

Davis was one of dozens to grab the megaphone on Wednesday afternoon at the South Carolina statehouse as about 350 demonstrators gathered to protest recent actions by the Trump administration. The rally was part of a nationwide effort spearheaded by 50501, a group calling for 50 protests in 50 states in 1 day.

Like an open mic night, the megaphone was passed among demonstrators, with folks talking about connecting with like-minded people in their communities, reaching out to Republican friends, future demonstrations, alternative social media like BlueSky, and offering support to those in fear.

Demonstrators present represented the 50501 group, Charleston Indivisible, Soda City Dems and others.

When I approached Russell Lynn Kelley, 81, of Columbia, SC - to inquire about the spelling of his name — he made it clear that he wasn’t afraid to give it, even if I was working for the Nazis. He says he is worried about his grandchildren growing up in South Carolina.

“When I heard Governor Foghorn Leghorn sit in his golden throne and tell us that he was raising the flag to honor our first ever felon — by raising it all the way to the top — when I was mourning Dr King's death and the work of Jimmy Carter, I felt sick. This same Governor told us that he was so proud on election night that he had seen the Republican Party built to this point. I am ashamed of it.

I grew up a Republican.”

About the author: Sean Rayford is a South Carolina photojournalist covering the southeastern United States. You can see some of his work at www.seanrayford.com

50501 Protest: Columbia, SC