Opponents of President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk are preparing for mass protests across the United States on Saturday, April 5.
These demonstrations, dubbed the “Hands Off!” protests, are set to target the Trump administration's policies on government downsizing, economic inequality, and human rights, as well as Musk's involvement in these changes.
The “Hands Off!” rallies will take place in over 1,200 locations, including state capitals, federal buildings, congressional offices, and city centres in all 50 states.
Organisers have claimed that nearly 400,000 people have signed up to attend, with major turnout expected in Washington, D.C. where more than 12,000 protesters are anticipated at the National Mall.
The movement, coordinated by over 150 civil rights, labour, and social justice groups, is seeking to protest what they view as a “billionaire takeover” of the government.
Key demands include halting cuts to Social Security and Medicare, the protection of vulnerable communities, and a reversal of the downsizing of federal agencies.
“We are taking to the streets nationwide to fight back,” the movement’s website reads. “Trump and Musk think this country belongs to them, and we’re saying, ‘Hands off!’”
The protesters' core grievances centre around the administration’s attempts to reduce government spending by firing thousands of federal workers, closing field offices for the Social Security Administration, and cutting back on essential public services.
Critics argue that these policies disproportionately affect vulnerable groups such as immigrants, transgender individuals, and low-income communities.
The event comes in the wake of ongoing backlash against the Trump administration's actions. Critics have expressed concerns about the impact of these policies on everyday Americans.
President Trump has claimed that the cuts are part of his push for fiscal responsibility, with a focus on eliminating “waste and fraud” within government programs. However, many detractors argue that the cuts are a direct attack on critical services that millions of Americans rely on.
Musk, a key advisor to Trump and head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, has been a focal point of criticism for his role in the downsizing efforts.
Critics argue that Musk’s policies favour big business over everyday Americans, with Musk claiming that his efforts have saved taxpayers billions by streamlining government operations.
This marks the largest nationwide mobilisation since Trump’s second term began in January, with organisers aiming for an event comparable to previous large-scale demonstrations such as the Women’s March in 2017. Demonstrators will also take to the streets in smaller cities and towns to express their opposition to the administration’s policies.
"Enough is enough," organisers state. "No more looting, no more stealing, no more billionaires raiding our government while working people struggle to survive."
The protests will also focus on issues beyond the cuts to social services, including Musk's influence on government operations and his role in curtailing workers' rights.
The rallies are expected to draw significant attention to the rising tensions surrounding the Trump administration, and while organisers have emphasised that the protests will be nonviolent, they have vowed to push for change in the face of what they see as a crisis for the nation’s most vulnerable populations.
As the protests unfold, the White House has already taken precautionary steps to ensure safety. Due to the expected demonstrations, the White House rescheduled one of its spring garden tour dates from Saturday to Sunday.
Speakers at the D.C. rally will include Democratic Representatives Jamie Raskin (Md.) and Maxwell Frost (Fla.), alongside advocates from various civil rights groups, calling for an end to the policies they believe are harming the nation.
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