What to know about Saturday's "Hands Off!" anti-Trump protests in Tampa Bay
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Tampa Bay will be home to several "Hands Off!" protests this Saturday.
- The nationwide anti-President Trump movement is expected to be the largest single-day protest since he entered office.
Why it matters: 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 said. "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 400,000 RSVPs as of Thursday.
Zoom in: The Hands Off! website showed several demonstrations happening across Tampa Bay, including in St. Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater, Gulfport, Bradenton, Sarasota, New Port Richey and Lakeland.
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, including in Tampa Bay.
- The Hands Off! demonstrations will occur at state capitals, federal buildings, congressional offices and city centers.
- 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.
Zoom out: This Saturday's protests mark the latest local acts of dissent against the Trump Administration.
- Protesters have marched in support of immigrants in Wimauma and have rallied against Trump at demonstrations on International Women's Day and Presidents' Day.