More than 1,000 'Hands Off' Protests Planned Against 'All-Out Assault on Our Government, Economy and Basic Rights'

Thousands of protestors across the United States are preparing to participate in widespread demonstrations on April 5, 2025, opposing President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk. Both are accused of undermining government integrity, economic fairness, and citizens' rights. The progressive Hands Off! coalition, which anticipates more than 250,000 participants nationwide, criticizes Trump's administration for government downsizing, mistreatment of federal employees, and erosion of human rights. Elon Musk, serving as an influential Trump adviser, faces particular scrutiny as the leader of the recently created Department of Government Efficiency. The demonstrators seek to emulate the scale of historical protests like the Women's March of 2017, emphasizing their message 'Hands Off!' against perceived overreach by Trump and Musk. The scale of the planned events reflects a broader discontent with current policies and societal challenges. Advocates, including MoveOn and over 150 partner organizations, are channeling frustration over issues such as the economy and government ethics into organized acts of civil dissent. The array of featured speakers, like Congressman Jamie Raskin and others, signals the protest's ecumenical nature, drawing from civil rights, labor unions, and LGBTQ+ groups, among others. The organizational efforts highlight a deep-seated dissatisfaction among large swaths of the American public who view the combined Trump-Musk influence as detrimental. Trump touts his policies as economically sound and beneficial for the nation, while Musk promotes cost-cutting measures as taxpayer victories. Nonetheless, activists persist in their resistance. The Hands Off! movement's inclusion of Musk, especially given recent backlash against Tesla's corporate practices, indicates an attempt to forge a more comprehensive critique of unchecked power exerted by both government and high-profile business figures. Despite lacking the historical precedents of earlier mass protests, Saturday's rallies attempt to catalyze change and spawn broader conversation about national priorities.