Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across the United States and several cities around the globe on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump’s administration and policies. The coordinated protests, the largest since Trump’s return to office, expressed widespread opposition to what many critics view as increasingly authoritarian and divisive leadership.
Mass gatherings occurred in major U.S. cities including Washington D.C., New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Denver, and Miami. Protesters rallied against a broad range of issues, from deep government spending cuts and immigration crackdowns to trade wars and threats to civil liberties.
In New York, artist Shaina Kesner, 43, voiced her frustration while marching in Manhattan. “I feel constantly angry. A handful of privileged men are shaping our country’s future with no accountability. It’s disturbing,” she said.
In the nation’s capital, thousands converged on the National Mall, many of them traveling from out of state. Diane Kolifrath, a 64-year-old bike tour guide from New Hampshire, spoke out about her reasons for joining. “We brought over a hundred people here. This administration is dismantling our government and isolating us from global allies,” she said.
Symbolic displays were seen throughout the demonstrations. In Los Angeles, one protester dressed as a character from The Handmaid’s Tale waved a banner reading “Get out of my uterus,” in direct protest against the administration’s anti-abortion stance. In Denver, signs like “No king for USA” echoed concerns over the perceived erosion of democratic norms.
The protests extended beyond U.S. borders. In London, dual U.S.-British citizen Liz Chamberlin denounced Trump’s economic strategies. “His policies are reckless. He could push us into a global recession,” she said. In Berlin, 70-year-old retiree Susanne Fest called the president “a threat to constitutional order.”
The demonstrations were organized by a coalition of progressive groups, including MoveOn and Women’s March. Branded under the slogan “Hands Off,” the movement claimed to have held events in over 1,000 cities across all U.S. congressional districts.
Protesters expressed growing alarm over Trump’s confrontational style and his administration’s aggressive push toward conservative policies. “We’re standing up to authoritarianism,” said Dominic Santella, a demonstrator in Boston. “We’re here to stop the jailing of immigrants and suppression of opposition.”
At the Washington rally, notable figures like Representative Jamie Raskin addressed the crowd. Raskin, who played a key role in Trump’s second impeachment, criticized the administration’s impact on the economy and democratic values. “No ethical person wants a dictator who knows the cost of everything but the worth of nothing,” he said.
Veteran activist Graylan Hagler energized the crowd with a defiant message: “We’ve been awakened, and we’re not backing down. We will speak out, we will rise, and we will endure.”
The tone of the protests remained largely peaceful, with a diverse crowd that included senior citizens and young families. Despite an initial forecast of 20,000 attendees in Washington, organizers reported significantly higher turnout as the day progressed.
While Trump’s approval ratings have dipped to a new low, particularly following controversial decisions on trade and international relations, the White House has dismissed the protests. On Friday, the president reaffirmed his stance, stating, “My policies will never change.”
Even amid growing domestic unrest and international discontent, Trump remains steadfast, backed by a loyal base. The protests, however, signal that opposition is far from fading.
