Thousands of protesters have gathered in cities across the United States on Saturday for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump‘s administration and billionaire Elon Musk, targeting policies they say benefit the elite at the expense of average Americans.
Taking place in over 1,000 locations, the mobilization represents what organizers call “a nationwide mobilization to stop the most brazen power grab in modern history.”
Newsweek previously reached out to “Hands Off!” via email for comment.
Why It Matters
“Hands Off!” is a grassroots movement that addresses what participants describe as a “hostile takeover” of government resources and services.
Protesters across the nation are rallying against reported closures of Social Security offices, federal worker layoffs by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and legislation they believe makes voting more difficult.
Demonstrators have expressed particular concern about the upcoming vote on the SAVE Act in Congress, which civil rights activists warn could create barriers for women and minorities attempting to register to vote. The demonstrations also follow recent market volatility after Trump’s recent tariff announcements.
What To Know
Protests are occurring in nearly every state capital, with only Annapolis, Maryland, and Jackson, Mississippi, not listing official events, though both have gatherings in other locations. Major demonstrations include:
Florida
Activists protest President Donald Trump, who was a few miles away at his Trump National Golf Club, during a “Hands Off!” demonstration on April 5 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Activists protest President Donald Trump, who was a few miles away at his Trump National Golf Club, during a “Hands Off!” demonstration on April 5 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Activists protest President Trump, who was a few miles away at his Trump National Golf Club, during a “Hands Off!” demonstration on April 5 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Activists protest President Trump, who was a few miles away at his Trump National Golf Club, during a “Hands Off!” demonstration on April 5 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Activists protest President Trump, who was a few miles away at his Trump National Golf Club, during a “Hands Off!” demonstration on April 5 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Activists protest President Trump, who was a few miles away at his Trump National Golf Club, during a “Hands Off!” demonstration on April 5 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Protesters carry signs and chant slogans against the policies of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk on April 5 in Miami. Protesters carry signs and chant slogans against the policies of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk on April 5 in Miami. AP Photo/Marta Lavandier
Protesters carry signs and chant slogans against the policies of Trump and Musk on April 5 in Miami. Protesters carry signs and chant slogans against the policies of Trump and Musk on April 5 in Miami. AP Photo/Marta Lavandier
Massachusetts
A woman takes photos of demonstration artwork during the “Hands Off Massachusetts! Rally/March” in Boston on April 5. A woman takes photos of demonstration artwork during the “Hands Off Massachusetts! Rally/March” in Boston on April 5. JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images
Costumed demonstrators gather on Boston Common during the “Hands Off Massachusetts! Rally/March” in Boston on April 5. Costumed demonstrators gather on Boston Common during the “Hands Off Massachusetts! Rally/March” in Boston on April 5. JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images
Thousands of demonstrators gather on Boston Common during the “Hands Off Massachusetts! Rally/March” in Boston on April 5. Thousands of demonstrators gather on Boston Common during the “Hands Off Massachusetts! Rally/March” in Boston on April 5. JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images
New York
Demonstrators gather of the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and Musk, in New York on April 5. Demonstrators gather of the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and Musk, in New York on April 5. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images
North Carolina
Protesters carry signs in protest to the policies of President Trump and Musk during a “Hands Off!” demonstration on April 5 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Protesters carry signs in protest to the policies of President Trump and Musk during a “Hands Off!” demonstration on April 5 in Charlotte, North Carolina. AP Photo/Erik Verduzc
Juli Tipton, (left), and her daughter Chloe Smalley, carry signs in protest to the policies of Trump and Musk during a “Hands Off!” demonstration on April 5 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Juli Tipton, (left), and her daughter Chloe Smalley, carry signs in protest to the policies of Trump and Musk during a “Hands Off!” demonstration on April 5 in Charlotte, North Carolina. AP Photo/Erik Verduzco
Washington, D.C.
Demonstrators gather on the National Mall for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against Trump and his Musk, in Washington, D.C., on April 5. Demonstrators gather on the National Mall for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against Trump and his Musk, in Washington, D.C., on April 5. ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images
Demonstrators gather on the National Mall for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against Trump and his Musk, in Washington, D.C., on April 5. Demonstrators gather on the National Mall for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against Trump and his Musk, in Washington, D.C., on April 5. AMID FARAHI/AFP via Getty Images
Demonstrators gather on the National Mall for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against Trump and his Musk, in Washington, D.C., on April 5. Demonstrators gather on the National Mall for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against Trump and his Musk, in Washington, D.C., on April 5. ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images
Demonstrators gather on the National Mall for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against Trump and his Musk, in Washington, D.C., on April 5. Demonstrators gather on the National Mall for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against Trump and his Musk, in Washington, D.C., on April 5. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Demonstrators gather on the National Mall for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against Trump and his Musk, in Washington, D.C., on April 5. Demonstrators gather on the National Mall for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against Trump and his Musk, in Washington, D.C., on April 5. AMID FARAHI/AFP via Getty Images
The movement has expanded internationally, with demonstrations in Berlin, Frankfurt, Vienna, Brussels, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Lyon, Nice, Lisbon, and Guadalajara, among others.
What People Are Saying
The Hands Off! mission statement articulates specific grievances: “They’re dismantling Social Security and Medicare—forcing seniors and disabled Americans to jump through hoops to access the benefits they’ve already paid into. They’re handing trillions to billionaires—while forcing the rest of us to pay higher prices for food, rent, and healthcare.”
President Donald Trump told Fox News in February: “Social Security won’t be touched, other than if there’s fraud or something…It’s going to be strengthened… Medicare, Medicaid, none of that stuff is going to be touched.”
Organizers emphasize their commitment to nonviolent action: “We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values, and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.”
A protester in the New York demonstrations told Newsweek: “Why I’m here is because I am terrified for my country, for my children and for my future.”
Another protester in New York told Newsweek: “We have to show the world that Americans are against this government.”
What Happens Next?
Organizers hope the widespread protests will influence lawmakers’ positions on legislation related to voting rights, social services, and economic policies.
