Nationwide “Hands Off” Protests Amplify Voices Against Trump Administration
In a powerful display of unity, demonstrators from all corners of the U.S. took to the streets on Saturday to voice their opposition to the policies of President Trump. The message was clear and echoed across more than 1,300 rallies: “Hands off!”
These protests, organized under the banner of “Hands Off,” stand as some of the most widespread demonstrations during Trump’s second term. They focused on a variety of issues, including education, healthcare, and freedom of the press.
Widespread Protests Across the Nation
Kelley Laird from Rockville, Md., who was present at the Washington D.C. rally, expressed concern over the broad array of issues being targeted. “They’re coming after education, coming after healthcare, coming after the arts, coming after the press,” she stated.
In Boston, protestors rallied against federal research cuts and the arrest of Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts University doctoral student, as reported by WBUR.
Meanwhile, in Sylva, N.C., over 300 gathered to oppose cuts to national parks and veteran services, as detailed by BPR News. Thousands also convened in Portland, Ore., to protest what they termed an “illegal, billionaire power grab” by Trump and Musk, reported by OPB.
Voices of the Protestors
Emily Peck, who started a group chat named “Sisters of the resistance,” highlighted the importance of community in sustaining the protest movement. “We need to form community to bolster each other up because we have to be in this for the long run,” she emphasized.
Attendees in Washington D.C., including retired federal worker Patty Kim, expressed a sense of duty to participate. Kim shared her feelings of frustration over policies she believes undermine human rights, prompting her to take action for the first time.
Veterans’ Continued Commitment
Veterans Colleen Boland and Sonia Lundy reiterated their commitment to protecting American values. “We took an oath long ago to protect against all enemies foreign and domestic,” Boland said. Lundy, concerned about the future of Social Security, questioned, “I was going to rely on this money. Is it going to be there?”
A Call to Action
Among those traveling to the D.C. rally were Al and Bev Mirmelstein, who were part of a three-bus caravan organized by Indivisible Charlottesville. The couple, now in their seventies, held signs advocating for constitutional rights and democracy. Al Mirmelstein reflected on his past, saying, “I didn’t participate in that, and I feel like I’m making up for it now.”
