From Washington, D.C. to Seattle and Los Angeles, tens of thousands of Americans poured into the streets today, uniting under the banner of the “Hands Off” movement—a series of mass protests aimed at opposing former President Donald Trump’s political resurgence and rumored legislative changes coming in 2025. The question of what is the Hands Off protest and what is the Hands Off protest about filled social media and news outlets, as demonstrators carried handmade signs and chanted against perceived threats to democracy, civil rights, and federal oversight. Massive crowds gathered in cities such as Chicago, Boston, Portland, and Seattle, with early estimates trying to answer how many people protested today. While no official count was released yet, organizers suggested the number could exceed 250,000 nationwide.
The movement, dubbed “Hands Off 2025,” began as a decentralized online campaign but gained momentum after a series of controversial policy hints and Trump’s continued influence over the Republican agenda. Today’s events saw peaceful gatherings reported in over 40 cities. Notable demonstrations occurred in Washington, D.C., where the “Hands Off DC” slogan took center stage amid a political climate that many say feels increasingly hostile to home rule and local governance. Protesters marched past key government buildings, holding signs that read “Hands Off Our Rights,” “2025 Is Not Yours,” and “We Decide,” with many messages targeting Trump directly.
The Star Tribune reported large crowds marching through Minneapolis despite a chilly forecast, while the Portland Press Herald published early photos from their city’s waterfront rally showing activists with umbrellas and masks braving the Oregon rain. Meanwhile, the Boston Globe described the Boston protest today as one of the largest post-pandemic political gatherings in the state, with thousands marching down Beacon Street. In Chicago, the Chicago protest today blocked parts of Michigan Avenue as demonstrators demanded transparency on what many suspect are backdoor federal proposals affecting immigration, healthcare, and education. Los Angeles saw waves of students, workers, and union groups take over Sunset Boulevard, waving flags and playing live music in what was described as a “festival of resistance.”
The rallies appeared to grow from previous demonstrations against Trump, particularly protests against Trump-era policies that have seen renewed attention as the former president ramps up his 2024 campaign messaging. Experts say that while the protest lacks a centralized leadership, the strength lies in its grassroots design. “This is what democracy looks like,” said Shireen Patel, a political science professor at Georgetown University. “There is a shared fear about 2025—a year that’s become a symbolic flashpoint for potentially regressive legislation if political power shifts again.”
Washington Post (Wapo) reporters embedded in the D.C. march noted that signs and chants emphasized voting rights, reproductive freedom, environmental regulations, and LGBTQ+ protections—all of which are considered vulnerable if Congress tilts more conservative next year. KSL, a Utah-based news outlet, shared live feeds from Salt Lake City’s smaller but passionate march. Even in states like Montana, where progressive movements have struggled to gain traction, residents gathered in parks and courthouses to voice their stance. Photos circulated from the Montana march showed both young and elderly protesters standing shoulder to shoulder.
One of the more striking visuals of the day came from Seattle protest today, where thousands marched through downtown despite reports of unfavorable weather. According to local organizers, the “Hands Off” protest signs there emphasized climate justice and Native sovereignty. “Chattanooga weather couldn’t stop us either,” tweeted one activist in Tennessee, attaching pictures of soaked posters still standing defiantly in a crowd of umbrellas.
While many of today’s protests carried the broad message of protecting democracy and warning against authoritarian trends, specific local issues gave each march its unique flavor. In Portland protest circles, climate policy and housing dominated the conversation. In the capital, chants about federal overreach and home rule echoed louder. Across the board, many signs and statements included the number “5” prominently—representing both April 5 and the 2025 marker looming in national discourse.
At a D.C. teach-in following the protest, activist group We the Future said their mission is “to hold the line in 2024 and beyond,” emphasizing their distrust of policies being developed behind closed doors. As one speaker at the Chicago rally said into the microphone, “If they won’t tell us what 2025 means, we’ll define it for them. And we say: hands off.”
Major media coverage included national outlets and independent journalists, with coverage from Wapo, Star Tribune, Portland Press Herald, Boston Globe, and others helping to give voice to a movement that has largely operated without major financial backing. Protesters praised the solidarity and peaceful coordination across so many time zones. “This was a people-powered moment,” said a Boston teacher participating in her first political action since 2020. “We’ve seen enough to know when something big is coming, and we’re not waiting quietly.”
Despite the size of the gatherings, law enforcement reported few incidents or arrests. The coordination between city officials and organizers appeared strong, particularly in places like Seattle, Los Angeles, and Chicago, where traffic was rerouted ahead of time. Protesters, for their part, were encouraged to bring reusable water bottles, COVID masks, and printed QR codes linking to petitions and educational resources.
The protests may be over for the day, but organizers online are already pointing to next steps. A virtual summit is scheduled for April 10, followed by state-level lobbying efforts targeting legislators with draft counter-proposals. At the closing speech in D.C., the phrase “Hands Off 2025” was projected onto a government building using lights, drawing cheers from the remaining crowd. As the nation watches how elected officials respond—or don’t—the April 5 protests have already set a tone for civic engagement heading into a pivotal year. “This is not a one-day event,” one sign read. “This is a warning.”
