'Hands Off' protests against Trump administration set to sweep the globe on April 5
Veterans protest in Indianapolis: "Hands off my benefits" (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The nationwide "Hands Off!" protests planned for April 5 continue to grow, with new locations in the United States and abroad announced just one day before the event, Newsweek reports.
Initially planned for over 1,000 cities and towns across the country, the Hands Off! protests have now gained momentum internationally.
The events are being organized by advocacy groups including Third Act - an environmental movement led by activist and author Bill McKibben - Reproductive Freedom for All, and the 50501 Movement.
The demonstrations are aimed at protesting the policies of the Trump administration and Elon Musk, which, according to organizers, threaten social security, federal jobs, and Medicaid.
The protests will take place just before Congress votes on the SAVE Act, which civil rights activists warn could make voter registration more challenging for women and minorities.
Additionally, the protests follow the recent stock market drop caused by Trump’s tariff impositions on April 1.
Hands Off! emphasizes that their movement is rooted in defending social and economic rights, which they believe are under threat from the current administration’s agenda.
Global reach and peaceful intentions
Hands Off! protests are set to take place in every state capital, including Phoenix, Arizona, at 10 a.m.; Sacramento, California, at 11 a.m.; and Austin, Texas, at 2 p.m.
Beyond the United States, international protests are planned in major cities such as Berlin, London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Lisbon, as well as in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The organizers stress the non-violent nature of the protests, urging participants to de-escalate any potential conflicts and adhere to legal conduct.
"We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events," reads the official statement.
As the Hands Off! movement continues to gain traction, organizers encourage people to join the protests to stand up against what they describe as a systematic attack on public services and social guarantees by the Trump administration and its billionaire allies.
