Thousands of demonstrators gathered across the United States on Saturday in the largest wave of protests since Donald Trump’s return to office, rallying against his domestic and foreign policies under the banner “Hands Off.”

Organizers aimed to hold rallies in all 50 states and more than 1,200 locations, drawing large crowds in cities like New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, and Washington DC. 

International demonstrations also took place in cities such as London, Paris, and Berlin, criticizing Trump's global stance.

The protests were fueled by growing discontent over a range of issues—from aggressive immigration enforcement to sweeping economic policies like import tariffs. 

In Boston, some marchers cited the detention of international students, including a recent high-profile arrest of a Turkish student near Tufts University, as a key motivator.

In Washington DC, Democratic lawmakers joined the crowds, denouncing what they described as a growing influence of billionaires on the Trump administration. 

Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost condemned what he called the “billionaire takeover” of government, directly criticizing the role of figures like Elon Musk, a known Trump advisor.

Protesters in London waved signs reading “Stop hurting people” and “Hands off Ukraine,” referencing Trump’s controversial foreign policy positions, including remarks on annexing territories and strained relations with Ukraine.

The demonstrations follow a challenging week for Trump. While Republicans secured a congressional seat in Florida, their margin was slimmer than expected. 

Meanwhile, a Democrat won a Wisconsin Supreme Court race, defeating a Musk-endorsed candidate by a wide margin.

Recent polls show a dip in Trump’s approval ratings, with growing dissatisfaction over his handling of the economy and cost of living. 

Despite the protests, Trump remained out of the public eye, spending the weekend golfing at his Florida resort.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1231 HRS, APR 06, 2025
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