Nationwide Protests Target Trump, Musk Policies

On Saturday, a series of nationwide protests dubbed 'Hands Off!' drew tens of thousands of demonstrators in cities like Washington, D.C., New York City, and Los Angeles, opposing policies from President Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Activists expressed concerns over government spending cuts, immigration issues, and changes to social safety nets, asserting that they would not back down until their concerns were addressed. Speakers at the rallies, including activist minister William Barber II, characterized Trump and Musk as aspiring dictators and called for unity against perceived authoritarianism. In DeKalb, Illinois, educators voiced their concerns for vulnerable student populations while emphasizing the importance of activism. The protests included participation from over 150 activist groups and were expected to be the largest coordinated demonstration against the two figures to date. Participants carried signs and banners expressing their dissent on a wide range of issues, highlighting the protests as a critical moment in the ongoing struggle for civil rights and social justice.