Thousands protest across the US against Trump and Musk at ‘Hands Off’ rallies

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Thousands of people took to the streets on Saturday to protest the Trump administration in “Hands Off” rallies across the United States.

Organizers aimed at holding over 1,400 protests across all 50 states with nearly 600,000 people signed up to attend.

“Whether you are mobilized by the attacks on our democracy, the slashing of jobs, the invasion of privacy, or the assault on our services — this moment is for you,” a flyer for the rallies said. “We are setting out to build a massive, visible, national rejection of this crisis. On April 5, we will host events across the country, in major cities and small towns in every state. Our goal is to show that the people — the majority — are taking action to stop the corruption and power grab.”

Signs from the rallies mostly blasted Trump or Musk. The Washington, D.C., rally featured signs saying “No Kings, No Tyrants,” “Checks and Balances Exist for a Reason,” and “Nobody Elected Elon Musk.”

Large groups of people were visible in pictures and videos from Washington, D.C., New York City, Boston, Pittsburgh, and other cities. One of the largest crowds appeared to be in Boston, which saw Mayor Michelle Wu, Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, and many others speak.

In her speech, Wu referenced her congressional testimony in a hearing about sanctuary city mayors.

“We are the safest major city in the country because we are safe for everyone. Trump’s Congress wanted to make an example of Boston. It might’ve been my voice that was in the microphone that day, but it was all of Boston that gave Congress their answer,” Wu said at the rally.

Protests in New York City and Washington, D.C., included protesters moving through the streets or standing in front of the Washington Monument. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY), a Manhattan Democrat, expressed his support for the protests in a social media post.

“I joined thousands of NYers to stand up against Trump & Musk’s efforts to demolish our government for their own gain. Health care, jobs, & essential programs are all under attack. Every institution, corporation, & American must stand up NOW to protect our democracy. #HandsOff,” he posted.

Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Maxwell Frost (D-FL) spoke at the “Hands Off” rally in Washington, D.C., slamming the Trump administration early and often.

“Our founders wrote a Constitution that does not begin with ‘We the dictators.” The preamble says, ‘We the People,’” Raskin said in front of a crowd of hundreds holding signs slamming the administration. “No moral person wants an economy-crashing dictator who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”

“Throughout human history, authoritarians, they’re never satisfied with the power they have, and so they test the bounds, they push the limits, they break the law, and then they look at the public to see if they’re quiet or if they’re loud,” Frost added in separate remarks.

Rachel O’Leary Carmona, the executive director of Women’s March, also attacked Trump and Musk in her remarks in Washington, D.C., calling them “broligarchs” who “want a country ruled by bullies to benefit billionaires.”

“We are exercising the People’s Veto on Musk, Trump, Zuck — all these broligarchs — who want a country ruled by bullies to benefit billionaires. And they don’t care what — or who — they have to bulldoze to make it happen. But here’s the thing: We are the majority. Workers. Students. Parents. Teachers. Activists. We are the backbone of this country. Not the elites. They’re scared that a movement this large can threaten their power,” Carmona said.

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Protesters also gathered in European cities including Paris, Frankfurt, Berlin, London, and Lisbon. In Berlin, protesters demonstrated in front of a Tesla showroom, calling on Americans living in Germany to protest for “an end to the chaos” at home.

The worldwide protests come as Trump’s approval rating hits a low for his second term at 43%. His recent move to instate worldwide tariffs has the potential to drive his approval rating lower if Americans see higher prices.

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