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The Hands Off! protests are a series of demonstrations organized to express dissatisfaction with the Trump administration's policies, particularly federal layoffs, mass deportations, and other controversial actions.
Pro-Palestinian protesters carrying a depiction of President Donald Trump gather at a rally before marching toward the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters. (AP Photo)
UPDATED: Apr 6, 2025 03:11 IST
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities across the United States on Saturday to voice their anger over President Donald Trump’s administration and its contentious policies.
The "Hands Off!" protests, the largest day of demonstrations in the opposition movement so far, were organized at over 1,200 locations across all 50 states. The rallies were supported by more than 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, labor unions, LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans, and election activists.
All About 'Hands Off!' Protests
The Hands Off! protests are a series of demonstrations organized to express dissatisfaction with the Trump administration’s policies, particularly federal layoffs, mass deportations, and other controversial actions.
Protesters argue that Donald Trump and Elon Musk are taking resources that don’t belong to them, and they’re challenging the world to stop them. The key issues that are covered under this movement include: the reduction of government agencies, cuts to healthcare programs, and restrictions on transgender rights.
The movement is also strongly opposed to the treatment of immigrants and mass deportations.
Hands Off Rallies Across the US
From the Mall in Washington DC to the heart of Manhattan and Boston Common, demonstrators on Saturday voiced their discontent with Trump’s and Elon Musk’s actions on a wide range of issues including reduction of government agencies, cuts to healthcare programs, the treatment of immigrants, and restrictions on transgender rights.
In Seattle, protesters held up signs with phrases like “Fight the oligarchy” while expressing outrage over the administration’s moves to fire federal workers and limit protections for vulnerable communities.
Musk, who is an adviser to Trump and heads the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, has been a focal point for protestors, with critics accusing him of prioritizing corporate interests over the American people.
Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, condemned the administration’s treatment of the LGBTQ+ community, speaking at the rally on the Mall. She emphasized that the attacks were not just political, but personal, targeting families and communities.
In Boston, protesters rallied against cuts to Social Security, holding signs that read “Hands off our democracy” and “Hands off our Social Security.” Mayor Michelle Wu also voiced her concerns, stating that she did not want her children to grow up in a world where government intimidation and divisive tactics were the norm.
In response, the White House reaffirmed President Trump’s commitment to protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, while claiming that Democrats’ stance on these programs was leading to financial ruin.
Saturday’s protests marked another chapter in a series of demonstrations against Trump and Musk, which have been held nationwide since Trump’s return to the White House. However, Saturday’s demonstration stood out as the first large-scale rally since the Women’s March of 2017 and the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020.
(With Inputs From Associated Press)
Published By:
Aashish Vashistha
Published On:
Apr 6, 2025
