Anti-Trump protests expected to bring thousands to D.C. this weekend
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The National Mall will be host to separate groups protesting President Trump and a pro-Ukraine rally. Photo: J. David Ake/Getty Images
Massive anti-Trump protests this weekend are expected to bring thousands of people to downtown and the National Mall.
Why it matters: The national "Hands Off!" protest is expected to be the country's largest single-day protest since President Trump took office. It comes the same weekend as other downtown events, including a pro-Ukraine rally and additional marches planned in D.C.
State of play: The "Hands Off!" mobilization includes more than 1,100 rallies, visibility events and meetings across all 50 states. It touches down in D.C. at the National Mall on Saturday at noon by the Washington Monument. Organizers say they expect 10,000 to 20,000 people.
- 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.
Confirmed speakers at the "Hands Off!" protest include Democratic Reps. Jamie Raskin, Maxwell Frost, Don Beyer, Ilhan Omar and Glenn Ivey. Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), and progressive activists are also slated to speak.
- Traffic will be bad, coinciding with the Cherry Blossom 5K.
Meanwhile, a pro-Palestine and free speech protest, the April 5 March on Washington, will also take place downtown.
- Organizers tell Axios that scores of buses from 30+ cities across the country, from Tampa to Chicago, will bring protesters to 3rd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue around 1pm. The crowd will march to ICE headquarters by L'Enfant Plaza.
But first: A coalition of six DMV university student governments — from Georgetown, American, GW, Howard and more — is organizing a "Hands Off Our Schools" rally on Friday outside the Department of Education at 4pm.
- Student organizers expect a crowd of up to 500 demonstrators rallying on behalf of students of all ages, kindergarten to college.
- Students will speak about the impact of the Trump administration's policies regarding free speech, financial aid and funding cuts, and diversity and accessibility initiatives.
Between the lines: While the Hands Off! protest isn't affiliated with the April 5 March on Washington, organizer Walter Smolarek of Liberation News tells Axios, "We consider ourselves to be on the same page. We share a lot of the same values."
- Their march opposes the persecution of pro-Palestine students like Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University alumnus arrested and set for deportation, and demands an end to the killings in Gaza.
The march is endorsed by over 300 organizations, including co-sponsors Palestinian Youth Movement and The People's Forum.
- "We think this is a decisive moment, both because of the extreme brutality in this new phase of the Israeli assault on Gaza, and the Trump administration's war on free speech in the U.S.," says Smolarek. "This is the test. Who knows who's next."
On Sunday, the American Coalition for Ukraine is holding a rally at the Lincoln Memorial to support Ukraine.
- A max of 10,000 people is expected, per NPS.