On Saturday, opponents of President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk are set to conduct a nationwide rally to voice their dissent against the administration's stance on various issues, including government downsizing, the economy, and human rights. The events are organized under the slogan "Hands Off!" and will see participation from over 150 groups, spanning more than 1,200 demonstrations across all 50 states.
Among the participants are civil rights organizations, labor unions, LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans, and activists focused on fair elections. The protests are scheduled to take place at significant locations such as the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as well as state capitols and numerous other venues around the nation. The White House has not commented on the upcoming protests, while Trump maintains that his policies are designed with the best interest of the United States in mind.
Protesters are particularly critical of numerous actions taken by the Trump administration, including the termination of thousands of federal jobs, the closure of Social Security Administration offices, and the drastic reduction of certain federal agencies. They are also protesting against policies that include the deportation of immigrants, the diminishment of protections for transgender individuals, and the reduction of funding for health programs.
Elon Musk, a key adviser to Trump and the owner of companies such as Tesla, SpaceX, and the social media platform X, has been seen as instrumental in government efficiency efforts, claiming to save taxpayers billions through downsizing initiatives. This has contributed to the ongoing tensions between his supporters and opponents.
The opposition movement has previously organized protests against both Trump and Musk since the beginning of the new administration. However, despite these repeated efforts, the movement has yet to reach the level of mass mobilization seen during significant events such as the Women's March in 2017, which attracted large crowds following Trump's inauguration, as well as the widespread Black Lives Matter demonstrations in 2020 following George Floyd's death.
Organizers of the upcoming protests express optimism that the scheduled demonstrations will mark the largest outpouring of opposition since Trump returned to office in January. Aiming for significant visibility and impact, the rallying of diverse groups across the nation underscores the ongoing struggle against policies perceived as detrimental to various sectors of the American populace.
