A wave of protests dubbed “Hands Off!” erupted across the United States (US) and Europe at the weekend as thousands rallied against the policies and actions of President Donald Trump’s administration.
From Washington, D.C., to London, Berlin, and Paris, demonstrators voiced their opposition to what they describe as an authoritarian overreach and a billionaire-backed agenda reshaping American governance. Organised by a coalition of over 150 progressive groups, labor unions, and civil rights organisations, the protests mark one of the largest single-day mobilisations in recent years, with organisers estimating over 500,000 participants worldwide.
The Protests: Voices From The Streets
In the U.S., the National Mall in Washington, D.C., became a focal point, drawing an estimated 20,000 protesters. Chanting “Hands off our democracy!” and waving signs reading “Reject Fascism” and “Save Our Future,” the crowd expressed outrage over Trump’s executive actions and the influence of billionaire Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
In Chicago, a union-heavy demonstration saw thousands march downtown. “They’re coming for our jobs, our rights, everything we’ve fought for,” said Maria Gonzalez, a 34-year-old steelworker. “We’re here to say ‘hands off’ — this is our country too.”
Across the Atlantic, American expatriates and local supporters joined the fray. In London’s Trafalgar Square, banners reading “No to MAGA Hate” fluttered as Clarke Reinstein, a 73-year-old Rhode Islander living abroad, told reporters, “I’m disappointed in my fellow Americans for letting this happen again. We can’t just sit by while Trump and Musk dismantle everything.”
In Berlin, protesters gathered outside a Tesla showroom, with 28-year-old German student Lena Müller declaring, “This isn’t just America’s fight—it’s about global democracy.”
Organisers, Leaders Speak Out
The “Hands Off!” movement was spearheaded by groups like MoveOn, Indivisible, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, addressed the Washington crowd, saying, “This is an enormous demonstration sending a clear message to Trump, Musk and their MAGA allies: we don’t want your hands on our schools, our communities, or our democracy.”
MoveOn’s Executive Director, Rahna Epting, added, “Trump and his billionaire cronies are orchestrating an all-out assault on our government and rights. Today, we’re showing they won’t get away with it unchallenged.”
Former President Barack Obama, a prominent voice against Trump’s policies, lent his support in a statement released earlier this week. “The American people deserve a government that serves them, not one that loots our institutions for the benefit of a few,” Obama said. “These protests are a reminder that democracy isn’t a spectator sport—it demands our action.”
Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin, speaking at the D.C. rally, echoed this sentiment: “We’ve got the right to protest without being arrested or deported, and we’re here to protect that.”
Trump, White House Push Back
The Trump administration swiftly dismissed the protests. In a post on X from his golf club in Virginia, President Trump wrote, “The radical left is out in force with their fake outrage. They lost, we won — bigly! These are just sore losers who can’t handle America being great again.”
White House Assistant Press Secretary Liz Huston defended the administration’s agenda, stating, “President Trump’s position is clear: he will always protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid for eligible Americans. The Democrats want to bankrupt these programmes by giving benefits to illegal aliens.”
Republican And MAGA Reactions
Republicans in Congress largely aligned with Trump. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) called the protests “a distraction from the real work of making America strong again.”
Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) warned that any GOP dissent could weaken Trump’s position against foreign adversaries, saying, “We need unity behind the President, not this chaos.”
Elon Musk, a frequent target of the demonstrators, took to X to mock the rallies: “Cry more, libs. We’re fixing the mess you made—efficiency isn’t tyranny.”
MAGA supporters also pushed back. At a counter-rally in Atlanta, 45-year-old truck driver Tom Reynolds said, “These protesters don’t get it—Trump’s fighting for us, the working people. They’re just mad their handouts are getting cut.”
Online, MAGA voices amplified Trump’s narrative, with one X user posting, “Hands Off? More like Hands Out—typical socialist whining.”
A Movement In Motion
While the protests remained largely peaceful, tensions flared in some cities. In Miami, police separated clashing groups after Trump supporters jeered demonstrators. Organisers emphasised nonviolence as a core principle, with Levin noting, “This isn’t about immediate change—it’s about showing the world that millions oppose Trump’s vision.”
As night fell, the “Hands Off!” movement showed no signs of slowing, with plans for further actions already circulating online. Whether this marks the start of a sustained resistance or a fleeting outcry remains to be seen, but for now, the streets of the U.S. and Europe have spoken loud and clear.
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