American’s on Road: Over 5 Lakh Peoples Protest Trump and Musk in ‘Hands Off’ Rallies
On Saturday, more than 500,000 Americans took to the streets in what is being hailed as the largest protest against President Donald Trump since he assumed office in January. Demonstrations erupted in major cities including Los Angeles, Boston, and Washington DC. Organized by various left-leaning groups, the ‘Hands Off’ protests condemned what they describe as Trump’s authoritarian overreach and the billionaire-backed policies of his administration, particularly those linked to Elon Musk. The Guardian reported that organizers claimed upwards of 5 lakh people joined rallies across Washington DC, Florida, and other key locations.
Also read: Nationwide ‘Hands Off!’ Protests Target Trump and Musk Over Policy Overhauls
What are the Hands Off protests?
The protests were held at over 1,200 venues in all 50 states, coordinated by more than 150 organizations such as civil rights groups, labor unions, LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans, and election reform activists, according to the Associated Press. The rallies were marked by peaceful demonstrations with no immediate reports of arrests. Protesters displayed signs and placards criticizing the government’s stances on downsizing, the economy, immigration, and human rights. In Seattle, for instance, demonstrators carried slogans like “Fight the oligarchy,” while others showcased the Ukrainian flag, with chants including “hands off Canada,” “hands off Greenland,” and “hands off Ukraine.”
Also read: Donald Trump Defends Tariffs On Chinese Goods, US Tariffs On Chinese Imports Now 54%
The goal of the protests
Leah Greenberg, a politician and executive director of the non-profit organization Indivisible, explained that the purpose of the ‘Hands Off’ demonstrations is to send a strong message to the Trump administration. “We want to signal to all individuals and institutions that have shown preliminary support for Trump’s policies that there is a vast public movement ready to oppose these trends,” Greenberg told The Guardian. She emphasized that the movement’s aim is to encourage political leaders to uphold democratic norms, asserting that only the Constitution can shield citizens from potential overreach.