Online Editor May 28, 2025 Hands Together, Hands Off

Alex Dolgin, Staff Writer

“Our democracy, our livelihoods, and our rights are all on the line as Trump and Musk execute their illegal takeover,” is the leading idea behind the The Hands Off protest which aimed to mobilize people against the Trump’s regime actions, such as targeting LGBT individuals, veteran’s benefits, and threatening Woman’s rights.

With an estimated 30,000 people filling Daley Plaza and the surrounding street areas, the Hands Off protest in Chicago on April 5th was a show of strength. People of all ages filled the streets, the march taking up a reported nine city blocks.

Chicago was not alone in protesting. Across the country, New York City, Milwaukee, Washington, D.C. and even Windsor, Ontario, the Hands Off protest drew thousands of people.

As Congresswoman Delia Rameriez said at a town hall in March, “It is their [Congress Member’s] constituents who send them there to fight for them, and center an agenda that brings working class people access to health care, education, housing, veteran benefits and what else goes on.” This was the sign to the government that the people Congress is meant to serve are not happy, that the people are taking action to show this.

Many people showed their anger at Trump and Musk’s actions in different ways. From art, to signs, to performance based protests. People wanted to make sure their voices were heard, they wanted for Trump and Musk to stop their actions.

According to a comment given to ABC7 Chicago from an unnamed Illinois GOP spokesperson said, “It’s less a demonstration and more a traveling tantrum.” But already, polls have begun showing that there is a true shift. With the Democrat sponsored Susan Crawford winning the Wisconsin Supreme Court over the Republican sponsored Brad Schimel, AP News says Crawford’s victory is a direct showing of how the people are not picking Republican candidates due to Musk and Trump’s actions.