Hundreds and thousands of American people across the US took to the streets on Saturday to oppose what they called Donald Trump’s “authoritarian overreach and billionaire-backed agenda”.
And, in several major European cities, demonstrators rallied in a show of defiance against Donald Trump’s policies. Protesters rallied in Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris, London and Lisbon, all in a united show of opposition against Trump’s policies.
The protests came amid economic uncertainty, following a sharp decline in the stock market after Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on April 1. Despite the economic fallout, Trump remained steadfast, insisting that his policies would not change. His approval rating also hit a new low of 43%, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with his leadership.
Organizers estimated that more than 5,00,000 people participated in rallies held in Washington D.C., Florida, and other locations.
In Washington D.C., demonstrators convened at the National Mall. The rally took place beneath the iconic Washington Monument, with many protesters holding signs condemning Trump’s policies. Some protesters also waved Ukrainian flags, signalling opposition to the administration’s approach toward Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The event, which marked the first major protest in the nation’s capital since Trump took office, was seen by many as an effort to inspire others to join the growing resistance. One organiser explained that the objective was to show that standing up against the Trump administration was not only possible but necessary. She noted that many people were intimidated by the president’s aggressive tactics toward his critics, but hoped the demonstration would encourage others to speak out.
The "Hands Off" protests, organised by MoveOn alongside a coalition of labour, environmental, and progressive groups, spanned across more than 1,000 locations in the US, including state capitals. Leah Greenberg, executive director of the progressive group Indivisible, stated that the demonstrations were meant to send a strong message to those who had been compliant with Trump’s agenda. She emphasized that the protests were designed to signal a public movement ready to rise up and defend democratic values, urging political leaders to take a stand against the erosion of democratic norms.
The largest turnout occurred at the National Mall in Washington, where tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered. Several members of Congress spoke to the crowd. Raskin, a top figure on the House Judiciary Committee, strongly criticized efforts to undermine the nation’s democratic foundations. He warned that those attempting to dismantle democracy would face significant opposition from the American public.
Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, delivered a pointed critique of the Trump administration’s treatment of the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting the negative impact of policies such as book bans and cuts to HIV-prevention funding. She called for a vision of America that guarantees dignity, safety, and freedom for all people.
In Florida, near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, protests were similarly energetic. Demonstrators criticized Trump’s billionaire backers, including Elon Musk, who has supported Trump’s policies. Chants calling for Trump and Musk to “go” were heard throughout the protest, as attendees expressed frustration with their influence on US politics. Signs displayed messages condemning Trump’s alignment with Russia’s leadership, with one sign reading "Stop being Putin’s puppet," a reference to the Russian president.
In Broward County in Florida, Jennifer Heit, a local editor, spoke out against the threats to democracy and civil rights under the Trump administration. She expressed her belief that citizens must act now to safeguard their values, as she worried about the direction the country was heading.
