The “Hands Off” protests, which took place on April 5, 2025, across the United States, have garnered significant attention and participation. These protests, aimed at opposing the policies and actions of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, were organized by a coalition of progressive advocacy groups. The movement has been described as one of the largest one-day demonstrations in recent history, with over 1,400 events taking place in all 50 states.
The Organizers
The “Hands Off” movement is being led by a consortium of progressive advocacy groups, with MoveOn at the forefront. Other key organizers include Indivisible, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and many others. These groups have come together to voice their opposition to what they perceive as an overreach of power by the Trump administration and Musk.
The Goals of the Movement
The protests are a response to a wide range of issues, including newly imposed global tariffs causing economic turmoil, significant cuts to government agencies and the federal workforce spearheaded by Elon Musk, imperiled union rights, immigration raids perceived as disorganized and politically motivated, rollbacks on LGBTQ+ rights, potentially harmful changes to Social Security, and cuts to healthcare funding and research. Organizers have outlined three main demands: an end to the billionaire takeover and corruption of the Trump administration, an end to slashing federal funds for programs like Medicaid and Social Security, and an end to attacks on immigrants, transgender individuals, and other marginalized communities.
The Impact and Response
The protests have drawn significant attention and participation, with organizers estimating that over 250,000 people across the country have RSVP’d to attend. The largest rally took place in Washington, D.C., where prominent figures in politics and labor activism spoke out against the administration’s policies. The movement has also gained international attention, with protests taking place in locations such as Lisbon, Portugal.