In a powerful display of civil dissent, thousands of Americans poured into the streets of major cities on Saturday as part of the “Hands Off” protests, the largest coordinated anti-Trump movement since the president began his second term in January. Organized across all 50 states, with rallies held in over 1,200 locations, demonstrators voiced their opposition to President Donald Trump’s sweeping social and economic policies.
Cities including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington D.C. witnessed impressive turnouts, with many protesters carrying placards and chanting slogans calling for a halt to what they described as the Trump administration’s overreach. The protests were not confined to U.S. soil; solidarity rallies were also held in London, Paris, and Berlin—underscoring the global unease surrounding Trump’s recent tariff announcements and foreign policy maneuvers.
Immigration Raids and Deportations Spark Anger and Solidarity
One of the main catalysts for the protests was the recent wave of immigration raids targeting international students in the U.S. Boston, in particular, saw emotional responses following the high-profile arrest of Turkish student Rumeysa Ozturk near Tufts University. Video footage of her apprehension by masked agents galvanized many into action, including law student Katie Smith, who told opitanglobamedia News, “You can stand up today or you can be taken later.”
Across several campuses, student organizations mobilized quickly, denouncing what they described as “unjustified surveillance” and “xenophobic enforcement tactics.” Many protesters in Boston and New York carried photos of detained students, demanding immediate policy reversals and enhanced protections for international scholars.
Foreign Policy and ‘Annexation’ Remarks Draw Global Criticism
Outside of the United States, demonstrators in London, Berlin, and Paris took to the streets holding signs that mocked and condemned President Trump’s controversial foreign policy stances. Banners reading “Hands Off Canada,” “Stop Hurting People,” and “He’s an Idiot” dotted the crowd in London. The chants and signage referenced Trump’s outlandish proposals to annex countries such as Canada and Greenland and his combative relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
These foreign protests reflected growing international concern over America’s shifting geopolitical stance under Trump. Analysts suggest that such unprecedented rhetoric has eroded traditional alliances and emboldened adversaries. The international turnouts also signaled the global perception of U.S. leadership as a matter not just of domestic importance but worldwide consequence.
Democratic Lawmakers Join Protesters, Blast Billionaire Influence
In Washington D.C., the protests took a sharp political tone as Democratic lawmakers joined the crowd to deliver fiery speeches against what they called “the billionaire hijacking of democracy.” Representative Maxwell Frost of Florida lashed out at tech mogul Elon Musk, who has become a prominent figure in Trump’s inner circle. Frost accused Musk of orchestrating efforts to gut the federal workforce and defund critical programs.
“When you steal from the people, expect the people to rise up,” Frost declared to thunderous applause. The rhetoric resonated with many, especially those worried about impending budget cuts to healthcare, education, and retirement benefits. One protester, a retired teacher named Theresa, said she fears losing access to her earned benefits: “We’re losing our democratic rights, and he’s golfing every day.”
Polls Show Trump Administration Slipping Approval as White House Downplays Protests
Amid the massive turnout and fervent criticisms, President Trump maintained a low profile, spending the day golfing at one of his resorts in Florida. He held no public events on Saturday and is scheduled to golf again on Sunday. While demonstrators voiced their frustration in the streets, the White House released a statement defending the president’s policies and accusing Democrats of endangering social welfare programs by extending benefits to undocumented immigrants.
Recent polls suggest a growing unease among voters. A Reuters/Ipsos survey placed Trump’s approval rating at 43%, a four-point drop since January. Meanwhile, a Harvard Caps/Harris poll showed a decline from 52% to 49% in just one month. Despite this, 54% of respondents still believed Trump was performing better than his predecessor, Joe Biden. However, these figures did little to quell the fury on the streets.
As Tom Homan, one of Trump’s top immigration advisors, dismissed the protests as meaningless, demonstrators vowed to continue their resistance. “They can ignore us today,” said one protester in Chicago, “but they’ll hear us loud and clear in November.
