On July 4th, the Hands Off movement organized protests across the country to demand an end to the billionaire takeover and corruption within the Trump administration. Thousands of people marched from Bryant Park to Madison Square Park in New York, while tens of thousands gathered at the National Mall in Washington, DC. Protesters in Hollywood, Florida, near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, also turned out in large numbers, with one protest even taking place at a Tesla dealership in Fort Lauderdale.
The group’s demands included stopping the slashing of federal funds for programs like Medicaid and Social Security, as well as an end to attacks on marginalized communities such as immigrants and trans people. They also specifically targeted Elon Musk for what they called an “illegal power grab,” accusing him, along with Trump and congressional Republicans, of gutting services and raising prices.
In DC, Democratic representatives like Jamie Raskin and Ilhan Omar addressed the crowd, with Raskin comparing Trump’s politics to Mussolini and his economics to Herbert Hoover. The representatives urged people to take action, donate to mutual-aid funds, pressure elected officials, and stay focused on the demands of the movement.
Chants of “hey ho, Trump’s gotta go” and “power to the people” echoed through the demonstrations, while signs reading “Hands Off Education,” “Fuck Musk,” and “Resist, Resist” were held up high. International solidarity protests also took place in cities like Paris and London, showing that the movement had global support.
The protests were captured in a powerful image by photographer Raul Martinez, showing a diverse group of people standing together in solidarity. As the Hands Off movement continues to grow and gain momentum, it is clear that the fight against corruption and injustice is far from over. Let us all stand together and make our voices heard, demanding a better future for all.
