Less than 100 days into Donald Trump's presidency, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in major US cities on Saturday, April 5, 2025. They flooded over a thousand locations to protest Trump's policies, Elon Musk's actions that have cost numerous jobs, and the US support for the right-wing government's brutal attacks on civilians in Gaza.
The New Arab reported that apart from separate demonstrations in support of Palestinians, people turned out in droves to protest various government policies.
This becomes one of the largest anti-Trump protests since the beginning of the US President's second term, according to the organizers of this movement.
What is the Hands Off! Movement?
According to the official website of Hands Off!, it is a national mobilization to stop the most arrogant power grab in modern history. Trump, Musk, and their billionaire cronies are spearheading brutal assaults on the government, economy, and our basic rights-backed by Congress at every step.
The movement, according to the website's statement, emerged because Trump and his cronies want to strip America. They are shutting down Social Security offices, firing key workers, stripping consumer protections, and cutting Medicaid. All to fund their billionaire tax scam. 'They are delivering our tax money, public services, and our democracy to the very rich. If we don't fight now, there won't be anything left to save,' the statement said.
Who is Behind this Anti-Trump Movement?
The Hands Off! protests are organized by a consortium of progressive advocacy groups, with MoveOn at the forefront. Other leading groups include Indivisible, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and many others.
One grassroots organization that helped organize smaller communities is 50501 for 50 States, which argues that everyone should be able to participate in protests, not just those residing in major cities.
Over 1,200 'Hands Off' demonstrations are estimated to have taken place on Saturday, with organizers anticipating the largest single-day mobilization to oppose recent government initiatives. Protest locations include the National Mall in Washington, DC, and sites in all 50 US states. Organizers estimate that over 250,000 people participated nationwide.
According to Al Jazeera's Mike Hanna, this is one of the largest demonstrations since Trump began his second term, 'This might be an indication of increasing frustration among the American public,' he said, noting the diversity of the protesters, spanning various age groups.
The organizers, Hanna said, believe this demonstration will not bring about immediate change. 'But it's an important moment to demonstrate that many Americans oppose what Donald Trump is advocating for,' he said.
What Are They Demanding?
Protesters voiced their opposition to several Trump government policies, including the handling of Social Security benefits by the government, the firing of federal employees, attacks on anti-immigrant and consumer protection laws, and assaults on transgender individuals.
Musk's ties to the federal government through DOGE are another target of the protests, following a wave of demonstrations at Tesla businesses worldwide. In a fiery statement on their website, Hands Off! stated, 'This is not mere corruption. It's more than just poor management. This takeover is unfriendly.'
Condemning Trump and Musk, the Hands Off! campaign website claimed that both believe that they 'own this country', adding that 'they take everything they can get, and challenge the world to stop them.'
Quoted by Times of India, 'Hands Off!', led by grassroots organizations, is described on its website as a 'national mobilization to stop the most arrogant power grab in modern history.'
Some protesters held signs saying 'Lift Your Grip From Our Democracy' and 'Lift Your Grip From Our Social Security.' They expressed concerns over the government's actions of firing thousands of workers, closing Social Security offices, cutting entire agencies, deporting immigrants, and reducing protections for transgender individuals and healthcare programs.
Major grievances in the demonstration included the widespread federal employee layoffs affecting access to basic welfare services, US military support for Israel, recently applied government tariffs, and immigrant deportations.
Manuel, a protester who only requested to use his first name, told The New Arab, 'Trump is a disgrace - a disgrace to the American people, to immigrants like me, who come from Uruguay in South America.
He said his presence there was to protest Trump's treatment of the federal government and destroying all the little support that minorities and those in need have, and because of his policies in the Middle East and genocide against Palestine. 'It's awful,' he said, as the crowd continued to gather near San Francisco City Hall.
How Did the Protest Unfold?
Flags were prominently displayed at the demonstration, including those of Ukraine, Palestine, Canada, Mexico, the United Nations, as well as the inverted American flag, traditionally used as a distress signal.
As cars passed by, many honked in support, some holding up their signs while driving. Some pedestrians spontaneously joined the demonstration.
The Saturday protest marks the largest against Trump since he began his second term as president two months ago.
In addition to protesting Trump, Musk, and other Republican government members, many demonstrators expressed their disappointment with the Democratic Party for its lack of resistance, messaging, and substance.
Some are determined to change that. Amidst the crowd, two men were selling T-shirts they had designed with the image of the US Constitution and the acronym MACA (Make America Constitutional Again) printed in dark blue - shirts they hope to sell again at the next Democratic Party convention to ignite fervor and enthusiasm for the party, similar to what the Republican Party did for their party.
Editor’s Choice: Thousands of Anti-Trump Protests Held Across US
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