Dropkick Murphys to play acoustic set at "Boston Hands Off" protest
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The Dropkick Murphys in Dublin, Ireland. Photo: Debbie Hickey/Getty Images
The Dropkick Murphys are joining Boston's "Hands Off" protest against the Trump administration and billionaire Elon Musk.
Why it matters: Thousands are expected to converge in downtown Boston on Saturday for the protest, one of more than 1,000 nationwide in response to the Trump administration's efforts to cut everything from Medicaid to immigrants' access to due process.
The latest: The Dropkick Murphys are expected to play an acoustic set on City Hall Plaza.
- The Boston protest will feature speakers ranging from U.S. Sen. Ed Markey to AFT-MA president Jessica Tang, Trans Resistance founder Chastity Bowick and other civil rights advocates.
Context: Murphys frontman Ken Casey is no stranger to political speech. He went viral after the St. Patrick's Day concert over a profane rant aimed at an attendee wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat during the show.
The big picture: Protests are mounting nationwide as the Trump administration axes swaths of federal employees, kills funding for research and safety net programs and ramps up deportation efforts.
- Last Saturday's large-scale demonstrations focused specifically on Musk, the billionaire leading massive federal cuts under DOGE, with dozens protesting outside the Tesla showroom in Dedham.
Between the lines: Voters don't seem opposed to cuts overall, but many with DOGE's approach, per a national NBC News poll released last month.
- 46% of respondents said creating DOGE was a good idea, while 40% it was bad.
- 13% didn't express an opinion on it.
- Asked about their feelings on DOGE, 41% said they had positive views and 47% had negative views.
- Asked about Musk, 51% had negative views of him and 39% had positive views.
What's next: Saturday's protest starts at 11am at the Parkman Bandstand with a speaker, followed by a march at 11:25am to City Hall Plaza led by Markey.
- Speakers will take the stage at City Hall Plaza around 12:30pm.