Amid growing discontent with current governmental policies, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across the United States on Saturday. The protests, branded as “Hands Off!” rallies, marked the largest collective action by opposition groups since President Donald Trump’s return to office, highlighting frustrations with both Trump’s and Elon Musk’s roles in significant policy shifts.
Organized by over 150 organizations, including civil rights groups, labor unions, and LGBTQ+ advocates, the demonstrations spanned more than 1,200 locations nationwide. Participants voiced their dissatisfaction with policies affecting government operations, the economy, immigration, and human rights.
Protester Liliana Novati, who traveled from Queen Creek to downtown Phoenix, expressed her concerns about the administration’s direction. She stated, “They’re hurting everybody in this nation, whether they know it or not, except for the billionaires.” Novati voiced her belief that many are unaware of the negative impacts.
Across the nation, protesters were particularly vocal about recent administrative actions, including the firing of federal workers, closure of Social Security offices, agency shutdowns, deportations, reduction of transgender protections, and cuts to health program funding. Elon Musk, Trump’s adviser and head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, has been a central figure in these initiatives, claiming they save taxpayer money.
Emory Webb, another protester in Phoenix from the Gila River Indian Community, highlighted the administration’s disregard for legal norms and potential threats to tribal sovereignty. “As a Native American, there’s a lot on the line with this administration,” he said.
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On the National Mall, Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, took aim at the administration’s policies affecting the LGBTQ+ community, saying, “The attacks that we’re seeing, they’re not just political. They are personal, y’all.”
In Phoenix, Liahla Ferra and her fellow demonstrators emphasized the urgency of their message. “The Hands Off movement is telling them that we’re done. We’re done putting up with it,” Ferra declared. Meanwhile, Jack Echeverri underscored the protests’ goal to reflect public discontent with signs like “HANDS OFF OR FIND OUT.”
The White House, in response to the demonstrations, reiterated President Trump’s dedication to protecting key social programs, while accusing Democrats of threatening these services by extending them to illegal immigrants.
Despite repeated protests since Trump’s return to office, activists acknowledge the challenge of organizing mobilizations comparable to historic events like the Women’s March or Black Lives Matter demonstrations.
As the political climate remains tense, Novati voiced her resolve to continue advocating for change, “I want the rest of the world to know that we are still gonna fight. We still need to fight.”
