On Saturday, demonstrations swept across the nation, drawing participants from various backgrounds and issues, all united under the rallying cry: "Hands off!" These protests were largely orchestrated by grassroots organizations aiming to voice opposition to the policies and actions of the Trump administration, as well as the controversial involvement of billionaire Elon Musk in government affairs.

According to organizers, over 1,300 distinct "Hands Off!" rallies occurred nationwide, marking one of the most significant collective responses to the Trump administration during his second term. Since President Trump assumed office in January, a multitude of protests have erupted in reaction to his administration's sweeping proposals, ranging from the mass dismissal of federal employees and aggressive immigration enforcement to concerning collaborations with private sector moguls like Musk.

Kelley Laird, a resident of Rockville, Maryland, expressed her concerns while attending a rally in Washington, D.C. She highlighted a broad spectrum of issues: "They’re coming after education, coming after health care, coming after the arts, coming after the press," she lamented. This sentiment echoed throughout the crowds, encapsulating a widespread frustration with the administration's policies.

In Boston, demonstrators rallied to combat federal funding cuts to scientific research and to protest the arrest of Rümeysa Öztürk, a doctoral student from Tufts University. This incident, reported by local station WBUR, has sparked outrage and concern about the federal government's approach to academia and civil liberties.

Meanwhile, in Sylva, North Carolina, over 300 attendees gathered to express their opposition to proposed cuts affecting national parks, education, and services for veterans, as reported by BPR News. In Portland, Oregon, thousands gathered to denounce what they termed an "illegal, billionaire power grab" orchestrated by Trump and Musk, a comment reflecting the growing public discontent regarding the influence of wealth in politics.

In the heart of the nation, the Washington Monument was surrounded by throngs of protesters carrying signs advocating for reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and support for Social Security and veterans' benefits, while simultaneously condemning tariffs that they argue disproportionately affect lower-income individuals.

Many attendees, like Laird and her fellow protestors, have found new sense of community and purpose in the wake of these events. Forming a group chat dubbed "Sisters of the Resistance," they coordinate participation in protests and provide mutual support. Emily Peck, who initiated the chat, remarked, "We need to form community to bolster each other up because we have to be in this for the long run."

For others, the decision to join the protests stemmed from a sense of urgency and an overwhelming feeling of frustration. Patty Kim, a retired federal worker, shared her thoughts at the rally in D.C., stating, "This is the first time that I am trying to regularly participate. I felt so frustrated and paralyzed by the bunch of things that are going on that undermine human rights and humanity in this country that I love, that I had to do something."

Veterans Colleen Boland and Sonia Lundy echoed similar sentiments, viewing their activism as a continuation of their military oath to protect American citizens. Boland, a veteran of both the Army and Air Force, asserted, "We took an oath long ago to protect against all enemies foreign and domestic, and I don’t think either Sonya or I ever imagined that we would have to kick in on the domestic piece of our oath, but we have, we are, and we will." Their primary concerns revolve around the future of Social Security and veterans' benefits. Despite assurances from the White House that no cuts to Social Security benefits would occur, there are reports of major changes on the horizon, including the closure of numerous Social Security offices and the potential elimination of thousands of jobs, as well as a new policy that mandates more rigorous identity checks.

Lundy articulated the anxiety many feel regarding the future of their benefits: "I was going to rely on this money. Is it going to be there?"

Among those making the trek to the D.C. rally were Al and Bev Mirmelstein, who traveled from Charlottesville, Virginia, as part of a bus caravan organized by the group Indivisible Charlottesville. The couple proudly displayed signs that proclaimed: "Hands off our Constitution, rule of law, Social Security, free speech, health care," and "Save our democracy." Having participated in local protests as well, they highlighted their deep commitment to activism in their later years. Now 77 years old, Al Mirmelstein admitted, "I didn't participate in that, and I feel like I'm making up for it now."