Global Movement Rises Up: "Hands Off" Protests Challenge Trump-Musk Policies Worldwide
A wave of coordinated demonstrations across America and Europe signals growing resistance to controversial policies
In a powerful display of collective action, hundreds of thousands of people across the United States and around the world took to the streets on April 5, 2025, in what organizers are calling the "Hands Off" day of protest. The demonstrations, which spanned all 50 U.S. states and multiple international cities, represent the largest unified opposition movement since President Donald Trump took office for his second term.
A Nationwide Mobilization
The "Hands Off" protests included approximately 1,200 demonstrations planned in advance, with more than half a million people RSVPing to attend Rolling Stone1. In Washington, D.C. alone, over 20,000 people assembled on the National Mall, where protesters carried signs and chanted slogans denouncing policies they view as harmful to democracy and social welfare.
"This is not something that just happened. This is something they've been preparing for a long time," said Oregon state Representative Mark Gamba at a Portland rally, where several thousand protesters gathered. "They've just been checking the boxes. And we are in for the fight of our lives, for sure." OPB2
The Driving Forces Behind the Movement
The coordinated protests were organized by a coalition of groups, including the 50501 Movement (short for "50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement"), Third Act, Indivisible, MoveOn, and Fight Back Table. The 50501 Movement, which was founded in January 2025, has already organized several nationwide demonstrations this year Wikipedia3.
Rebecca Winter from MASS 50501, a nonpartisan group that is part of the broader coalition, explained that the protests are meant "to show that the people—the majority—are taking action to stop the corruption and power grab" Newsweek4.
Key Grievances: More Than Just Politics
Protesters voiced a range of concerns regarding the current administration's policies, centering on several key issues:
1. Federal Agency Cuts and Social Services
Among the most significant concerns are cuts to federal agencies affecting health care workers, Social Security, and Veterans Affairs. In Portland, Oregon, protesters expressed fears about the impact of tariffs on their life savings and the future of Social Security OPB2.
Signs in Portland, Maine, declared "Keep Your Fascist Hands Off My Social Security" and "Hands Off Health Care" Rolling Stone1, reflecting widespread anxiety about the administration's approach to social services.
2. Constitutional Rights and Due Process
Many protesters highlighted concerns about eroding civil liberties and constitutional protections.
"Without due process, nothing matters. None of us are citizens, none of us have rights if they're unwilling to allow us to defend ourselves in the court of law," one protester told Rolling Stone Rolling Stone1.
3. Economic Policy and Tariffs
The recent announcement of "universal" tariffs has sparked significant opposition, particularly after financial markets tumbled in response. One of the objectives of the 50501 Movement is specifically to lift tariffs against Canada and Mexico Wikipedia3.
4. The Musk Factor
The protests uniquely targeted both President Trump and his advisor Elon Musk, with signs reading "Shut up Elon, no one voted for you" in Berlin France 245 and "Send Elon to Mars" in Portland, Maine Rolling Stone1.
Protesters view Musk, described as a "billionaire financier and adviser," as partly responsible for policies they oppose. The movement has framed its resistance as standing against a "Trump-Musk billionaire takeover" of democratic institutions Newsweek4.
International Solidarity
While the protests were predominantly American, the movement also gained international traction, with demonstrations in several European cities including:
Paris: About 200 people, mostly Americans, gathered at Place de la République with signs reading "Resist Tyrant," "Rule of Law," and "Save Democracy" France 245.
London: Several hundred protesters assembled in Trafalgar Square, chanting "Hands off Canada," "Hands off Greenland," and "Hands off Ukraine," referencing Trump's changes to U.S. foreign policy France 245.
Berlin: Demonstrators gathered in front of a Tesla showroom with signs directed at Musk, including one dog wearing a sign saying "Dogs against DOGE" France 245.
Frankfurt: Protesters held placards reading "Restore Democracy" and "The world is tired of your bullshit Donald, be gone!" France 245.
Lisbon: Additional demonstrations took place, though with fewer details reported France 245.
European protesters particularly emphasized concerns about the global economic impact of Trump's tariff policies and what they view as a deterioration of democratic values.
Creative Expression of Dissent
Beyond the massive turnout, the protests were notable for their creative expressions of opposition:
In Washington, D.C., a protester carried a model of a human spine on a pole with an accompanying sign reading, "HEY GOP, WHERE'S YOURS?" Rolling Stone1
Signs with messages like "NOT PAID AND PISSED OFF" directly challenged claims that protests were being funded by liberal billionaires Rolling Stone1.
One protester, a veteran and former special operations aviator, expressed outrage at the administration's handling of military information Rolling Stone1.
A Movement with History and Future
The "Hands Off" protests represent the culmination of ongoing resistance that began shortly after Trump's second inauguration. The 50501 Movement previously organized nationwide demonstrations on February 5, February 17 ("No Kings on Presidents Day"), and March 4, 2025 Wikipedia3.
Their objectives include impeaching Trump, investigating Musk and other Trump appointees, reinstating federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, protecting LGBTQ and minority rights, defending the Constitution, reinstating military aid to Ukraine, and lifting tariffs against Canada and Mexico Wikipedia3.
Political Impact and Public Response
The scale and coordination of the protests have prompted questions about their potential political impact. One notable chant at the D.C. protest was "Where is Congress?" to which the crowd responded, "Do your job!" — highlighting frustration with perceived congressional inaction Rolling Stone1.
"The way we're just treating people is very inhuman, and I feel like we need more empathy," a young woman told Rolling Stone after hearing Senator Cory Booker speak at one of the rallies Rolling Stone1.
Looking Forward
As the sun set on April 5, organizers of the "Hands Off" protests expressed determination that this would not be a one-time event but rather part of an ongoing movement. The 50501 Movement and its allies have already demonstrated their ability to coordinate nationwide resistance, suggesting that opposition to the current administration's policies will continue.
"We are in for the fight of our lives," as Oregon Representative Mark Gamba put it OPB2, encapsulating the sentiment of a movement that sees itself as defending not just specific policies but the fundamental nature of American democracy.
This blog post was compiled based on reports from multiple news sources covering the "Hands Off" protests of April 5, 2025. While efforts have been made to provide a comprehensive overview, the rapidly evolving nature of political events means that some developments may have occurred after publication.