Over 500,000 Americans took to the streets on Saturday in a sweeping show of dissent during the “Hands Off!” protests—one of the largest coordinated demonstrations against the Trump administration to date. From Washington, DC to Los Angeles, Chicago to Seattle, citizens across the political spectrum raised their voices against federal job cuts, the dismantling of key social institutions, and attacks on civil liberties.
The protests, driven by a coalition of civil rights groups, labor unions, LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans, and election activists, took direct aim at President Donald Trump and Elon Musk—the recently appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk’s cost-cutting reforms, which include shuttering Social Security offices, defunding Medicaid and dismantling the Department of Education, became a major flashpoint.
Another version of my favorite sign #HandsOff https://t.co/SAllFJbaJy pic.twitter.com/mUhwv6QAPC
— George Conway 👊🇺🇸🔥 (@gtconway3d) April 5, 2025
Protesters carried signs and banners critiquing everything from climate policy rollbacks to attacks on immigrant rights. Many used humor and satire to convey their frustration.
#HandsOff
*Not sure who gets credit for this great sign ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/OljLufm1Rj— gretchen🌻🇺🇸 (@gesb21) April 5, 2025
Spotted at a Hands Off! protest.
Brilliant sign!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/tcxTR51zyq
— Art Candee 🍿🥤 (@ArtCandee) April 5, 2025
Maybe my favorite, tho the signs were all so creative. #HandsOff pic.twitter.com/8MD3PVMueO
— Hanna Bec ◟̽◞̽ (@HannaBec) April 5, 2025
Some of the best protest signs today. #HandsOff pic.twitter.com/UasKE6QyJq
— Ms. Snark (@thewritesnark) April 5, 2025
One widely shared sign read, “They’re eating the dogs. They’re eating the cats?”—a tongue-in-cheek reference to Trump’s debunked claims about Haitian immigrants, flipped into a jab about eroding checks and balances. Another read: “Don’t tax the penguins,” mocking Trump’s bizarre tariffs targeting remote islands near Antarctica.
The creativity didn’t stop there. Among the standout signs were:
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“Orange Lies Matter”
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“Even the introverts are here. That’s how bad it is.”
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“Sorry World. We’re trying.”
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“JD Vance thinks I’m a miserable cat lady—and he’s half right.”
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A protest dog held a sign reading: “I sniffed better policies on a fire hydrant.”
While emotions ran high, the message was clear: Americans are watching, organizing, and pushing back against policies they say threaten the country’s core values.
The Hands Off! protests have not only sparked national conversation but also served as a rallying cry for a growing movement determi
