“Hands Off” protesters nationwide express frustration with Trump

By Alvin Wu
Domestic Affairs
“Hands Off” protesters nationwide express frustration with Trump

Demonstrators hold signs in front of the Washington Monument at the April 5 nationwide Hands Off demonstration. ZFJ/Alvin Wu

WASHINGTON, April 7 (ZFJ) — Americans took to their public spaces in over 1,300 demonstrations nationwide to protest the Trump administration on Saturday, April 5.

Various scenes from the Hands Off demonstration at the Sylvan Theater in Washington. ZFJ/Alvin Wu 　

The organization Hands Off!, named to tell Trump and Musk “hands off” the government and partnered with numerous advocacy groups and labor unions, called for a “National Day of Action” on Saturday to demand “an end to the authoritarian overreach by Trump and Musk.”

A map of Hands Off demonstrations nationwide from the organization’s website. Used by demonstrators to locate local protests in their areas. HANDS OFF!/Handout A map of Hands Off demonstrations nationwide from the organization’s website. Used by demonstrators to locate local protests in their areas. HANDS OFF!/Handout

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Musk, has been laying off federal workers en masse, eliminating offices and contracts, and accessing sensitive systems (such as those for Social Security and the Treasury). While DOGE operations have met some limited resistance from the courts and career civil servants, the commission has, for the most part, executed its tasks unimpeded. The Republicans, who hold both the Senate and House of Representatives, have shown little opposition to Trump’s policies so far.

ZFJ Editor-in-Chief Alvin Wu observed the Hands Off protest at the National Mall in Washington from noon to about 2:00 p.m. and saw thousands of attendees. Many people had signs expressing frustration with DOGE, the shutdown of countless government services, deportations, and tariffs. Other signs lamented encroachments on the Constitution and democracy, and others more associated Trump and Musk with fascism, Nazism, and tyranny.

Demonstrators hold signs near the Washington Monument at the April 5 nationwide Hands Off demonstration. ZFJ/Alvin Wu Demonstrators hold signs near the Washington Monument at the April 5 nationwide Hands Off demonstration. ZFJ/Alvin Wu

The crowd was centered on speakers at the Sylvan Theater, which had a view of the Washington Monument and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Speakers included DMV area members of Congress and leaders of advocacy organizations for issues including LGBTQ+ rights, Hispanic people, and the environment. Protesters occasionally chanted slogans such as “hands off!”

Demonstrators gather around Sylvan Theater to hear various speakers. ZFJ/Alvin Wu Demonstrators gather around Sylvan Theater to hear various speakers. ZFJ/Alvin Wu

The ZFJ observed a police presence limited to the perimeter of the demonstration. The ZFJ did not see any violence. In the area around Sylvan Theater, The ZFJ observed no counterprotesters.

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