Hundreds of thousands of Americans, mostly workers, poured into streets and parks on April 5 across all 50 states in the US to condemn the various anti-people policies of Donald Trump and his billionaire adviser Elon Musk. An estimated 250,000 participated in 1,200 protests and gatherings nationwide.

The actions were dubbed as the “Hands Off!” protest. Their demand Trump and Musk to stop their attacks on their jobs, rights, and welfare. One of the largest gatherings took place at the National Mall in Washington DC, near the White House, the president’s official residence and office.

The protests were organized by more than 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, labor unions, LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans, and election activists. Participants expressed dismay over Trump’s attempts to deflate the federal government, lay off more than 200,000 government jobs, and impose significant cuts on social benefits.

Protesters also expressed outrage at Trump’s policies such as widespread immigrant deportation, cuts to funding for education and health care, and the removal of protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. They strongly condemned the role of Musk, the world’s richest oligarch, in the Department of Government Efficiency, which laid off at least 30,000 government employees.

The “Hands Off” protests reflect the intense and widespread anger of rising numbers of Americans toward Trump, just three months into his second term in the White House. Americans outside the US also launched protests, such as in France, Germany, United Kingdom, and Portugal.