Nationwide “Hands Off” Rallies Protest Trump Policies
Over the weekend, more than 1,200 “Hands Off” rallies were staged across the country, sending a powerful message against the Trump administration’s policies, federal government cuts, and, notably, tech mogul Elon Musk.
Tens of thousands of protesters marched through the streets of major cities like New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, and Chicago with signs that read “Stop The Billionaire Takeover,” “Hands Off Schools” and “DEI Made America Great.”
On Saturday, April 5, demonstrators came together in solidarity at the plaza outside of Baltimore City Hall. According to Jessica Davis, one of the rally’s organizers with the Free State Coalition, more than 1,000 people registered to attend, but nearly 3,000 people showed up.
The rallies are a part of a larger national movement organized by more than 150 different organizations, including veterans’ groups, civil rights advocates, LGBTQ+ groups and even election officials. The coalition is united in protesting policies they argue are detrimental to the public good, including current immigration deportation tactics and government layoffs and budget cuts.
Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama recently delivered a powerful speech at Hamilton College, drawing attention to the Trump administration’s latest controversial moves. One of the most discussed topics was President Trump’s decision to ban the Associated Press from the political press pool after the media outlet refused to use the term “Gulf of America” in place of the Gulf of Mexico. In his talk, Obama criticized these actions, expressing concern about the erosion of journalistic integrity and the broader impact on democracy. He also asked the audience to imagine if he would’ve been the one taking the same actions as Trump.
With widespread protests already making waves, it’s clear that the “Hands Off” campaign is not just a series of one-time events but the beginning of a long-term effort to challenge policies that many believe undermine American democracy, justice and equality.
