1 Million+ Protest Trump's Policies: "Hands Off!" Rallies Against Attacks on Education, Gaza, and More

"Hands Off!" Protests Erupt Nationwide

• 🌍 Over 1 million people protested across the U.S. and globally on Saturday, demanding "Hands Off!" President Trump's administration and its policies.
• 🎯 Demonstrations opposed the dismantling of federal agencies, attacks on LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, education, healthcare, science, free speech, and reproductive rights.
• 📢 These coordinated "Hands Off!" protests were described as the largest demonstrations since Trump returned to office, spanning all 50 states and international locations.

International Opposition to Trump's Policies

• 🇪🇺 Thousands gathered in European cities like Berlin, Paris, and London to protest Trump's sweeping tariffs, which were seen as shocking the global economy.
• 🇨🇦 In Canada, demonstrators condemned Trump's threats to make Canada the 51st U.S. state, emphasizing a rejection of annexation and a defense of national sovereignty.

Protests in the United States

• 🇺🇸 Over 1,200 protests occurred within the U.S., including a large gathering in Los Angeles where participants expressed frustration over the perceived prioritization of billionaires over ordinary citizens.
• 🏞️ In Denver, former and current federal employees, including a retired National Park Service employee, voiced concerns about the impact of policy changes on public lands and their own employment.
• 🏛️ Washington D.C. saw tens of thousands protest, with speakers like Congress members Ilhan Omar and Jamie Raskin criticizing the unprecedented number of Trump's illegal actions, despite judicial challenges.

Gaza Conflict and Student Detentions

• 🇵🇸 Protests in D.C. also demanded an arms embargo against Israel and an end to the "Gaza genocide," calling for the release of students detained for their involvement in Palestinian rights advocacy.
• 💸 Speakers highlighted the U.S. funding of actions in Gaza and criticized the continuation and worsening of the situation under the Trump administration.
• ⚖️ Demands included an immediate end to U.S. complicity in the Gaza conflict and the release of students facing detention for their activism.

University and Science Funding Concerns

• 🎓 In New York City, protesters voiced support for students like Raesa Ourk, who faced detention and legal challenges for her activism, with many calling for due process and the right to free speech.
• 🔬 Scientists and workers from institutions like the NIH raised alarms about funding cuts to science, emphasizing the need for investment in research and public health to prevent future epidemics.
• ✡️ Rabbis and activists criticized the weaponization of anti-semitism by the Trump administration, arguing it endangers Jewish people and misrepresents the safety concerns on campuses, while also failing to address the safety of Muslims and Palestinians.

Broader Concerns and Activism

• 🗳️ Demonstrators expressed fears of authoritarianism and fascism, emphasizing the need for continuous street activism to protect democracy.
• 📉 Concerns were raised about the rollback of progress in areas like women's rights and Latino rights, with a fear of returning to 19th-century societal norms.
• 🗣️ Participants called for an end to tariffs, kings, and third terms, asserting that the current behavior is not befitting a president and that protests can influence politicians, citing the Vietnam War as an example.