1000’s of demonstrators throughout the nation took half in “Arms Off!” protests in opposition to the regime of President Donald Trump and his closest confidant, Elon Musk, aiming to deliver “an finish to this billionaire energy seize”, the Related Press experiences.
Throughout all 50 states and globally on Saturday, April 5, demonstrators protested Trump’s insurance policies and govt orders which have resulted in the erasure of Black Historical past in federal areas, mass deportation of immigrants, the termination of federal staff, concentrating on the Smithsonian’s funding, concentrating on the Nationwide Museum of African American Historical past and Tradition, the closing of Social Safety Administration subject workplaces, protections for the LGBTIQA+ and extra.
Based on Mobilize, 1,400 “Arms Off!” mass-action protests have been organized by greater than 150 teams and all 50 states. Protests have been held at state capitols, federal buildings, congressional workplaces, Social Safety headquarters, parks and metropolis halls the place lots of individuals raised their voices in disapproval of the Trump agenda.
“Whether or not you might be mobilized by the assaults on our democracy, the slashing of jobs, the invasion of privateness, or the assault on our companies – this second is for you,” the occasion flyers said. “We’re getting down to construct a large, seen, nationwide rejection of this disaster.”
THIS. #HandsOff pic.twitter.com/xl3Oke5dL1
— Battle for a Union (@FightForAUnion) April 5, 2025
In D.C., 1000’s protested close to the Washington Monument, holding up indicators in assist of LGBTQ rights, Social Safety advantages, veteran’s advantages, reproductive rights, and their opposition to tariffs.
On the rally, Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Marketing campaign, spoke forcefully in opposition to Trump’s administration’s therapy of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood.
“The assaults that we’re seeing, they’re not simply political. They’re private, y’all,” Robinson stated. “They’re making an attempt to ban our books, they’re slashing HIV prevention funding, they’re criminalizing our docs, our lecturers, our households and our lives.”
We don’t need this America, y’all,” Robinson added. “We wish the America we deserve, the place dignity, security and freedom belong to not a few of us, however to all of us.”
On the House Needle in Seattle, protesters held indicators that learn “Battle the oligarchy.” Protests have been additionally held in Portland, Oregon, and Los Angeles, California, the place they marched from Pershing Sq. to Metropolis Corridor.
As considered one of his closest allies, Musk heads the Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE), which he claims saves taxpayers billions of {dollars} by discovering alleged fraud in authorities companies. However critics have referred to as Musk, who just isn’t an American citizen, for having a job within the authorities and his strategy to overhauling the federal authorities. The New York Occasions reported that DOGE has launched “outdated information, accounting errors, and different miscalculations” from the company.
In response to the protest, the White Home issued an official assertion.
“President Trump’s place is evident: he’ll all the time defend Social Safety, Medicare and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries. In the meantime, the Democrats’ stance is giving Social Safety, Medicaid and Medicare advantages to unlawful aliens, which can bankrupt these packages and crush American seniors,” the assertion learn.