In what is being described as the largest nationwide protest against President Donald Trump since he took office, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across all 50 states of the United States in coordinated rallies titled ‘Hands Off’, opposing what they call the administration’s “authoritarian overreach and billionaire-backed agenda.”
According to The Guardian, over 500,000 people participated in demonstrations held in Washington DC, Florida, Los Angeles, Boston, Seattle, and hundreds of other cities. The protests were peaceful, with no immediate reports of arrests, as confirmed by the Associated Press.
Organized by more than 150 progressive groups, including civil rights organizations, labour unions, LGBTQ+ advocates, election reform groups, and veterans’ associations, the ‘Hands Off’ movement staged protests in over 1,200 locations nationwide.
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The demonstrations focused on a range of issues including government downsizing, economic inequality, immigration, and threats to human rights. Protesters were also highly critical of Elon Musk, a prominent Trump supporter, with many accusing the Trump-Musk alliance of promoting oligarchic interests at the cost of democracy.
In Seattle, protestors carried placards reading “Fight the oligarchy”, while others waved Ukrainian flags as a symbol of resistance. Chants like “Hands off Canada,” “Hands off Greenland,” and “Hands off Ukraine” echoed across rallies, referencing concerns over U.S. foreign policy moves and perceived imperialist ambitions.
Leah Greenberg, executive director of the non-profit group Indivisible, said the protests aimed to send a strong message to both political leaders and institutions showing “anticipatory obedience” to Trump.
“We want them to see that there is a mass public movement ready to rise up and stop this,” Greenberg told The Guardian. “If our political leaders stand up, we will have their backs. We want them to protect the norms of democracy.”
The ‘Hands Off’ protests mark a significant moment in U.S. civil resistance, demonstrating not only widespread discontent with current leadership but also a renewed commitment to defending democratic values and civil liberties. Organizers have hinted that this is just the beginning of a larger movement to counteract authoritarian tendencies in American politics.
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