Efforts since the 1990s to include these groups were vital, she said, because "when you raise the health status of people who have historically been disadvantaged, you actually bring up everyone's health".

Hawks accused the administration of undermining this progress, citing staffing reductions at her former Office of Minority Health within HHS and actions impacting the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities at NIH. "That is not an executive power. It's really up to Congress," she said.

Hawks also disputed the administration's economic claims, including tariffs. She added that immigrant labor played a vital role in the US economy.

The 50501 movement, leveraging social media platforms like Reddit, Instagram and TikTok, coordinated more than 1,000 events nationwide, according to its website.

The information from its website also showed that while Washington served as a central hub, actions varied widely, from traditional marches in New York and Seattle to community service projects like food drives in Southern California, aimed at supporting those affected by recent wildfires and economic hardships, attributed partly to the administration's tariff policies.