San Diego joins nationwide Trump resistance rallies
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Demonstrators march through downtown San Diego in protest of President Trump's policies in February. Photo: Zoë Meyers/AFP via Getty Images
A major anti-President Trump protest is planned in downtown San Diego on Saturday as part of a nationwide "Hands Off!" movement that's expected to be the largest single-day protest since he entered office.
State of play: Protesters are rallying against several Trump administration policies, including its handling of Social Security benefits, layoffs across the federal workforce, anti-immigrant policies and attacks on transgender people and attacks on consumer protections.
- 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.
Zoom in: San Diego's protest is at Civic Center Plaza outside City Hall on Third Avenue from noon-3pm.
- Local climate, political and women's rights advocacy organizations and labor unions are joining.
- There are other Hands Off! rallies planned in Encinitas, Rancho Bernardo, Carlsbad and Oceanside throughout the day.
Between the lines: The Trump 2.0 resistance has taken root locally with frequent rallies across San Diego County since late January that have drawn thousands of residents from children to retirees.
- The activities have ranged from marches through Waterfront Park and downtown streets to rallies outside federal buildings and Tesla dealerships, highlighting concerns for the climate, veterans, women's rights, transgender people and immigrants.
- California has also embraced the resistance with legal challenges.
The big picture: More than 1,100 rallies, visibility events and meetings are scheduled in all 50 states on Saturday.
- Organizers said they had nearly 400,000 RSVPs as of Thursday morning.
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."