Thousands of people gathered in different cities across the United States on Saturday, protesting against President Donald Trump and his policies
The protests, tagged “Hands Off,” were held in over 1,200 places across all 50 U.S. states, including major cities like Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington DC.
Protesters spoke out against Trump’s actions on immigration, foreign policy, and the economy. Many were also angry about recent import tariffs he introduced on goods from many countries.
Crowds also came out in support overseas, with protests held in cities like London, Paris, and Berlin. In London, some protesters held signs that read, “Stop hurting people” and “He’s an idiot.”
In Paris, a line of protesters held signs such as “We stand up to bullies” and “Empathy is the path.”
A law student, Katie Smith, who joined the protest in Boston, said she was moved by the arrest of a Turkish student near Tufts University.
“You can stand up today or you can be taken later,” she told BBC News. “I’m not usually a protest girlie.”
The protesters also mentioned Trump’s controversial foreign policy decisions. Some chanted, “Hands off Canada,” “Hands off Greenland,” and “Hands off Ukraine,” accusing Trump of interfering in the affairs of other countries. Trump has previously shown interest in acquiring Greenland and has had disputes with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In Washington DC, large crowds gathered to hear Democratic lawmakers speak. Congressman Maxwell Frost from Florida criticised the president, saying:
“When you steal from the people, expect the people to rise up. At the ballot box and in the streets.”
Frost also spoke about the role of billionaires like Elon Musk in Trump’s administration. Musk, who advises the president, has been helping to cut government spending and jobs.
The protests come after a tough week for Trump and his supporters. Though Republicans won a special election in Florida, the result was much closer than expected. In Wisconsin, a Democratic judge defeated a Republican candidate backed by Musk by nearly 10 points.
Approval ratings for Trump have also dropped. A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that only 43% of Americans now approve of him — the lowest since his second term began in January. Only 37% approve of his handling of the economy, while just 30% support his plans to tackle the rising cost of living.
Despite the protests, Trump did not attend any public events on Saturday. He spent the day golfing at his resort in Florida. Protesters also gathered near his golf course in West Palm Beach.
A protester named Theresa told the BBC: “We’re losing our democratic rights. I’m very concerned about the cuts they’re making to the federal government.”
When asked if she thought Trump would listen to the protesters, she replied, “Well, let’s see. He’s been golfing just about every day.”
Meanwhile, the White House released a statement defending the president’s policies, saying:
“President Trump’s position is clear: he will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. The real threat is from the Democrats, who want to give these benefits to illegal aliens.”
Trump’s immigration advisor, Tom Homan, told Fox News that protesters gathered outside his New York home, but he was in Washington at the time.
“They can protest a vacant house all they want,” he said. “It’s not going to change the facts.”
In other cities like Houston and St. Paul, Minnesota, protests also drew large crowds. Some waved upside-down American flags, a symbol of distress.
