A historic wave of protests erupted across the United States and globally today, as millions of people participated in over 1,300 “Hands Off!” rallies, demanding an end to what they see as authoritarian overreach by former President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk.
The protests spanned all 50 states, U.S. territories, and a dozen locations worldwide, with turnout far exceeding expectations.
The demonstrations, marking the largest day of collective action since Trump’s inauguration, were driven by deep concerns over the impact of recent policies on everyday Americans.
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Participants, including nurses, teachers, students, parents, and workers from various sectors, gathered to voice their opposition to what they describe as a growing threat to their rights, freedoms, and democratic values.
“What we witnessed today was nothing short of extraordinary. Across the country and around the world, people came together to say: we will not be silent while our rights, our futures, and our democracy are under attack,” said Rahna Epting, Executive Director of MoveOn, one of the leading organisations behind the event.
Epting highlighted the broad grassroots nature of the movement, which she said was fuelled by the everyday struggles of ordinary citizens. “This peaceful movement is powered by everyday people—nurses, teachers, students, parents—who are rising up to protect what matters most. We are united, we are relentless, and we are just getting started.”
Organisers and attendees pointed to a number of policies introduced under Trump’s leadership that they believe threaten the wellbeing of working families.
Among the key issues driving the protests are Trump’s efforts to weaken workers' rights, dismantle healthcare programmes, and his administration's role in raising the cost of living for millions of Americans. The growing sense of anger at these moves has only intensified in recent months.
With Trump and congressional Republicans continuing to pursue an agenda that critics argue will erode essential public services, protestors have drawn a clear line in the sand. They are demanding an end to what they perceive as harmful efforts to undermine healthcare, Social Security, civil rights, education, and other vital services.
“The message is clear: Take your hands off our healthcare, our Social Security, our civil rights, our freedom, and our education,” one protestor declared during a rally in New York City.
The scale of the protests and the widespread participation in them underscore a broader national sentiment of discontent.
As many Americans face economic hardships, and with the Trump administration continuing its push to cut essential services, there is a growing sense of frustration among large segments of the population.
In addition to the rallies across the U.S., solidarity events were held in cities around the world, illustrating the global resonance of these issues. Activists abroad expressed concern about the impact of American policies on international relations and global democratic values.
As the protests concluded, organisers emphasised that this is just the beginning. With the increasing momentum of grassroots opposition, they vowed to continue challenging the policies of Trump and Musk, pledging to remain steadfast in their fight to protect the rights of all Americans.
“This is not just about one person or one policy,” said Epting. “It’s about defending the future for all of us. And we won’t stop until we’ve secured a better tomorrow for our children, our communities, and our country.”
Source: With inputs from CNN