Anti-Trump protests expected to draw thousands around the Chicago area
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Protestors in the Chicago area are planning to join Saturday's nationwide "Hands Off!" demonstrations against the Trump administration.
Why it matters: It's expected to be the largest single-day protest since President Trump took office.
The big picture: The Trump administration's wide-reaching and ground-shaking policies have mobilized a varied cross section of Americans affected by political, economic, social and legal changes.
- "This is not just corruption," the Hands Off! website says. "This is not just mismanagement. This is a hostile takeover."
By the numbers: More than 1,100 rallies, visibility events and meetings were scheduled in all 50 states as of Wednesday afternoon.
- Organizers said they had nearly 250,000 RSVPs as of March 29.
Zoom in: Chicago's downtown protest will be at the Daley Center at noon.
Others are planned in:
- Oak Park at noon
- Evanston at noon
- Arlington Heights at noon
- Highland Park at noon
- Beverly at 3pm
More events were being organized as of Thursday.
The latest: White House garden tours scheduled for Saturday were postponed to Sunday in anticipation of D.C. protests, first lady Melania Trump said on Thursday.
State of play: Protesters are rallying against several Trump administration policies, including its handling of Social Security benefits, layoffs across the federal workforce, attacks on consumer protections and anti-immigrant policies and attacks on transgender people.
- The protests are also against Elon Musk's involvement in the federal government via DOGE — after he's already faced a wave of demonstrations at Tesla dealerships worldwide via the #TeslaTakedown movement.
- Dozens of advocacy organizations are partnering to support Saturday's action, including the Center for LGBTQ Economic Advancement & Research, Declaration for American Democracy, the Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible and Planned Parenthood.
What they're saying: "This is a nationwide mobilization to stop the most brazen power grab in modern history," the movement's website said.
- "Trump, Musk, and their billionaire cronies are orchestrating an all-out assault on our government, our economy, and our basic rights — enabled by Congress every step of the way."