Protests erupted in cities across the United States on Saturday, as large crowds gathered to express their dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s administration. The demonstrations marked a significant day for an opposition movement aiming to regain its momentum following the early weeks of the president’s tenure.
Organized under the “Hands Off!” banner, the protests took place at more than 1,200 locations across all 50 states, coordinated by over 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, labor unions, LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans, and election reform activists. The rallies appeared to be peaceful, with no immediate reports of arrests. Thousands of people rallied in cities from New York City to Anchorage, Alaska, including at several state capitals, voicing criticism of Trump and businessman Elon Musk’s policies on government reduction, the economy, immigration, and human rights. On the West Coast, protesters gathered under the Seattle Space Needle, holding signs reading slogans like “Fight the oligarchy,” while chants echoed in cities like Portland, Oregon, and Los Angeles, where protesters marched from Pershing Square to City Hall. Musk, who serves as a Trump adviser and heads the Department of Government Efficiency, has been a central figure in government downsizing, which he claims is saving taxpayers billions of dollars.
In response to the protests, the White House issued a statement affirming President Trump’s commitment to protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries. The statement also criticized Democratic proposals to extend benefits to undocumented immigrants, warning that such policies could jeopardize these programs.
At the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, spoke out against the administration’s policies toward the LGBTQ+ community. “The attacks we’re seeing aren’t just political. They’re personal,” Robinson said. “They’re trying to ban our books, slash funding for HIV prevention, and criminalize our doctors, teachers, families, and our lives.” She added, “We don’t want this America. We want an America where dignity, safety, and freedom are for everyone.”
In Boston, demonstrators displayed signs reading “Hands off our democracy” and “Hands off our Social Security.” Mayor Michelle Wu expressed concern over the direction of the country, emphasizing the importance of values like diversity and equality in the face of rising threats and intimidation.
Saturday’s protests were part of a broader series of demonstrations against Trump and Musk, who have faced criticism for their actions since Trump returned to office. However, this mobilization marked the first large-scale opposition demonstration since events like the Women’s March in 2017 and the Black Lives Matter protests following George Floyd’s death in 2020.
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