Anti-Trump, Musk Protests Kick Off in L.A. and Around the Nation
Introduction to the Protests
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across the country on Saturday to protest President Trump and a wide range of his administration’s actions, including government downsizing, attacks on the rights of immigrants and transgender people, and tariffs that are roiling economies across the globe. More than 500,000 people nationwide have RSVP’d to attend one of the 1,200 protests in all 50 states, an effort organized by Hands Off!, Indivisible, MoveOn, and other grassroots organizations.
Protests Across the Country
By midday, they had taken to the streets in New York, Washington, Boston, Atlanta, San Francisco, and dozens of other cities from coast to coast. In Los Angeles, several hundred people with signs lined two busy intersections in Los Feliz. “We the people are pissed,” one sign read. “Canada not for sale,” read another. Sporadic chants punctuated a steady stream of tambourines, car horns, applause, and cheering.
Los Angeles Protests
Dunbar Dicks, 47, helped organize the protest. He has volunteered with Indivisible Hollywood since 2016 and said that the group came back to life and “started organizing soon after the inauguration.” People gather for the “Hands Off!’’ demonstration in opposition to the Trump administration’s steep tariffs, program cuts, and mass layoffs of federal workers at Hollywood and Vermont. (Carlin Stiehl/For The Times)
The Coordinated Protests
The coordinated “Hands Off!” protests were the first big demonstrations in opposition to Trump’s second term. “We feel like we have a duty to exercise our 1st Amendment rights and we are just doing this in between our day job and picking our kids up from day care,” Dicks said. Behind him, dozens chanted, “This is what democracy looks like.” Dicks, of Studio City, said that Republicans “are counting on us not to show up.” His main concerns: the “dismantling of the social safety net and governing by fiat.”
Planned Demonstrations
A larger demonstration and march is planned for 4 p.m. in Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles. People gather for the “Hands Off!” demonstration at Hollywood and Vermont in Los Angeles. (Carlin Stiehl / For The Times) “This mass mobilization day is our message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire allies,” according to the event description for the “Hands Off” protest.
Nationwide Protests
In Washington, home to the biggest swath of employees whose agencies have been gutted by tech mogul Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, a sea of people swarmed the National Mall, chanting “Hey hey, ho ho, Musk and Trump have got to go!” Others carried signs reflecting their status as federal workers, including “I took an oath to defend the Constitution” and “Feds’ Jobs Matter.” “It does give me hope to see this many people here making this protest,” said Terry Manzo, 86, who sported a hat covered in political pins.
Economic Concerns
Musk’s DOGE has led the effort to drastically reduce the scope of the federal government through large-scale job cuts and mass layoffs of tens of thousands of employees. This week, the Trump administration announced that it would impose sweeping tariffs on imports from all countries on Saturday, tanking the stock market, stoking fears of a U.S. recession, and raising questions about whether businesses would pass on the higher costs to consumers.
Other Protest Locations
In Atlanta, thousands marched toward the Georgia State Capitol, holding signs that read, “Trade war makes us poor” and “Honk if you hate Elon Musk.” David Williams, 79, who attended the rally, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he had built up his retirement savings for more than 45 years. He called the Trump administration’s handling of the economy and “attack on Social Security nothing but outrageous.” “They’ve gone way, way too far,” he said. “It’s so obvious he’s destroying our basic rights with no regard for the rule of law. He’s a train wreck.”
Conclusion
The protests across the nation demonstrate a strong opposition to the Trump administration’s policies and actions. With thousands attending rallies and marches, the message is clear: the American people will not stand idly by while their rights and economy are being dismantled. The "Hands Off!" protests are a call to action, urging citizens to exercise their 1st Amendment rights and demand change.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the "Hands Off!" protests?
A: The protests are in opposition to the Trump administration’s steep tariffs, program cuts, and mass layoffs of federal workers.
Q: How many people are expected to attend the protests?
A: More than 500,000 people nationwide have RSVP’d to attend one of the 1,200 protests in all 50 states.
Q: What cities are participating in the protests?
A: Protests are taking place in cities across the country, including New York, Washington, Boston, Atlanta, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Q: Who organized the protests?
A: The protests were organized by Hands Off!, Indivisible, MoveOn, and other grassroots organizations.
Q: What are the main concerns of the protesters?
A: The main concerns include the dismantling of the social safety net, governing by fiat, and the attack on basic rights with no regard for the rule of law.
