Mass protests under banner 'Hands off' sweep across U S, abroad in response to Trump-Musk administration policies

New Delhi, Apr 6: Millions of people participated in coordinated protests across all 50 U.S. states and several international cities on Saturday, rallying against the policies and leadership of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The demonstrations, held under the banner “Hands Off!”, were organized by a nationwide pro-democracy coalition in opposition to what organisers describe as a “billionaire power grab” and a threat to American civil liberties.

More than 1,400 rallies were held at state capitols, federal offices, congressional districts, Social Security buildings, parks, and city halls. International protests took place in cities including London and Paris. Organisers reported that nearly 600,000 people had signed up to attend, making it one of the largest coordinated protest efforts since Trump returned to office.

The demonstrations focused on a range of issues, including government downsizing, immigration enforcement, cuts to federal programs, and erosion of democratic institutions. Protesters gathered in cities like Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and St. Paul, Minnesota, carrying signs and chanting slogans condemning recent administrative decisions. In D.C., large crowds assembled near the Washington Monument, while Los Angeles demonstrators marched in a loop to City Hall.

The coalition leading the protests outlined three primary demands: an end to what it calls the consolidation of federal power under wealthy elites; restoration of funding to programs like Medicaid and Social Security; and protection of marginalized communities, including immigrants and transgender individuals.

Since taking office, President Trump’s administration, with Musk heading the Department of Government Efficiency, has initiated sweeping cuts across several federal agencies. Thousands of federal workers have been laid off or reassigned. USAID, long responsible for foreign humanitarian assistance, has seen dramatic reductions in operations. Officials say the changes jeopardise America’s role in global development and democratic promotion abroad.

Domestically, the Social Security Administration has undergone a major reorganisation, with staffing reductions raising concerns over service delivery for the nearly 73 million Americans who rely on monthly benefits. The administration has also expanded immigration enforcement with increased arrests and plans for mass deportations.

In parallel, environmental protections have been scaled back, with the administration moving to roll back pollution regulations targeting vehicles and power plants. Gun policy reviews have been initiated with an eye toward loosening restrictions, and legal efforts to defend existing gun control measures have been paused.

Protesters across the country linked these policy shifts to broader concerns about democratic backsliding and social inequality, with the protests framed as a unified response to what organisers view as a coordinated effort to centralise power while reducing protections for vulnerable communities.