Protesters gather for 'Hands Off!' rallies across central NC against Trump administration
RALEIGH, N.C. -- People in the Triangle are joining thousands of others nationwide protesting the Trump administration's actions on government downsizing, the economy, human rights, and other issues.
Across all 50 states, over 1,200 'Hands Off!' demonstrations were planned Saturday by over 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, labor unions, LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans, and elections activists.
This includes Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Pittsboro.
Protesters are assailing the Trump administration's moves to fire thousands of federal workers, close Social Security Administration field offices, effectively shutter entire agencies, deport illegal immigrants, roll back some protections of transgender individuals and cut federal funding for health programs.
Elon Musk, a Trump adviser who owns Tesla, SpaceX, and the social media platform X, has played a key role in government downsizing as the head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. He says he is saving taxpayers billions of dollars.
WATCH | Chopper11 flies over 'Hands Off!' protests in Raleigh
WATCH | Chopper11 flies over 'Hands Off!' protests in Durham
Asked about the protests, the White House said in a statement that "President Trump's position is clear: he will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the Democrats' stance is giving Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare benefits to illegal aliens, which will bankrupt these programs and crush American seniors."
Activists have staged nationwide demonstrations against Trump or Musk multiple times since the new administration took power. But the opposition movement has yet to produce a mass mobilization like the Women's March in 2017 after Trump's first inauguration or the Black Lives Matter demonstrations after George Floyd's killing in 2020.
WATCH | 'Hands Off' rallies nationwide in protest of Trump administration
There were no reports of any major disturbances or arrests at any of the rallies.
The White House did not have any immediate comment about the events.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
