Anti-Trump and Musk ‘Hands Off’ rallies draw thousands across US, European cities

WASHINGTON - Thousands of people descended on Washington’s National Mall on April 5 and rallied in other cities across the United States and abroad in opposition to the policies of Mr Donald Trump, in the largest protests since he returned to the presidency.

A big “Hands off!” banner stretched across the stage of an outdoor theatre just a few blocks from the White House, with protesters holding signs that read “Not my president!”, “Fascism has arrived”, “Hands off our Social Security” and “Wake up and smell the coup”.

Ms Jane Ellen Saums, 66, said she was dismayed to see the Trump administration dismantling America’s longstanding democratic institutions.

“It’s extremely concerning to see what is happening to our government, and all of the checks and balances that have been put in place that are being totally run over – everything from the environment to personal rights,” said the real estate worker who came dressed as Mother Nature, wrapped in ivy and holding a globe.

At a time of

spreading global resentment

against the Republican President – heightened by his announcement on April 2 of sweeping tariffs against scores of countries – demonstrators also marched in several European capitals.

Ms Liz Chamberlin, a dual US-British citizen living in England told AFP at a London rally: “What’s happening in America is everyone’s problem.

“It’s economic lunacy... He is going to push us into a global recession.”

And in Berlin, 70-year-old retiree Susanne Fest said Mr Trump had created “a constitutional crisis”, adding, “The guy is a lunatic.”

In the US, a loose coalition of dozens of left-leaning groups such as MoveOn and Women’s March organised “Hands Off” events in more than 1,000 cities and in every congressional district, the groups said.

The unifying theme: the growing resentment of what another organising group, Indivisible, has called “the most brazen power grab in modern history”, led by Mr Trump and his close adviser, billionaire Elon Musk.

Mr Trump has angered many Americans by moving aggressively to downsize the government, unilaterally impose his conservative values, and sharply pressure even friendly countries over borders and trade terms –

causing stock markets to tank.

Protester Rachael Nevins told AFP at a rally in New York: “People here in the United States are really not cool with what’s going on in DC right now.”

Many Democrats are irate that their party, in the minority in both Houses of Congress, has seemed so helpless to resist Mr Trump’s aggressive moves.

“The Democrat Party is kind of wimping out... and not actually standing up for our rights,” said Mr Abbott Sherwin, 19, a college student from Raleigh, North Carolina, who was marching in Washington, adding that “the Republican Party is a cult around Trump”.

Sleeping giant awakened?

Thousands of people convened on the National Mall, just blocks from the White House, to hear speakers including Representative Jamie Raskin, a Democrat who served as impeachment manager during Mr Trump’s second impeachment.

“They’ve woken up a sleeping giant, and they haven’t seen nothing yet,” activist Graylan Hagler, 71, told the crowd. “We will not sit down, we will not be quiet, and we will not go away.”

The April 5 demonstrations were largely peaceful. A festive atmosphere prevailed on a mild day in Washington, with protesters ranging from the elderly to young couples with infants in strollers.

A Women’s March protest shortly after Mr Trump’s first election in 2016 drew an estimated half-million people to Washington. Organisers of the latest Washington rally had predicted a turnout of 20,000 but by April 5 afternoon, said the number appeared considerably larger.

As Mr Trump continues aggressively shaking things up in Washington and beyond, his approval rating has fallen to its lowest since taking office, according to recent polling.

But despite pushback around the globe to his sweeping imposition of tariffs, and bubbling resentment from many Americans, the White House has dismissed the protests.

The Republican President, still popular with his base, has given no sign of relenting.

“My policies will never change,” Mr Trump said April 4. AFP