‘Hands Off!’ protests spark crowds nationwide

By James Kent

Human rights, supporting veterans, free speech, democratic normalcy, defending the U.S. Constitution, rebuking the dismantling of essential federal services and programs, and sounding the alarm of a tariff policy that over two days destroyed many Americans’ retirement and college savings programs. On Saturday, April 5, an estimated 5 million Americans joined in protests throughout the country to send a message to the current president and administration: Hands off! our democracy. 

In Montpelier, Vermont’s capitol, thousands of protesters have rallied and marched to raise awareness of the current administration’s actions since January 20. 

Speakers at the Montpelier rally included former Gov. and U.S. Ambassador Madeleine Kunin, U.S. Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., Lt. Gov. John Rodgers, Senate Majority Leader Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D-Chittenden Southeast), state Treasurer Mike Pieciak, and other Vermont activists and organizational leaders. 

Welch spoke to his concerns about the threats to democracy, deportations without due process, threats to Medicaid and Social Security funding, and the dismantling of federal agencies and departments during Trump’s second term. 

“This president we have is on a lawless rampage, shredding the Constitution,” Welch said. “We are here today standing up for hope and democracy.”

Standing on the podium, Rodgers spoke to what he said were nonpartisan concerns regarding the Trump administration’s actions, such as cuts to Medicare and Medicaid and recently imposed tariffs on Canada, which he said will negatively impact Vermonters.

“As a Republican who supports women’s rights, the LBGTQ community, local farmers and loggers, our manufacturers and other great Vermont businesses, the free press, the United States Constitution, and the rule of law, I am appalled at what the Trump administration is doing to our state and our country,” Rodgers said, according to his notes, provided to VTDigger by a 50501 organizer. “It is time that the Republicans in Congress stand up for their constituents instead of following the will of their president.”

Hands Off! protests were not limited to the Green Mountain State capitol. Organized Hands Off! protests occurred throughout the state, including several in Windsor and Rutland counties.

Along Route 7 in Rutland, the crowds begin to form on the west side of the street around 11:30 a.m. Undeterred by the cold rain that came down at a light but steady pace throughout the early afternoon, people continued to file in, extending the line several street blocks until, by last count at 12:30 p.m., there were 1,000 people showing solidarity in one common bond: Democracy is at risk, and we will not go quietly into the good night.

And while the signs expressed frustration, anger, and concern, the large gathering was peaceful and in good spirits. Even when a pickup truck decked out in Trump and American flags stopped at a red light to shout at them, protesters in line refused to engage in any violent way. The majority of cars passing along Route 7 displayed solidarity with those in line by honking and waving their support. 

Judging by the many signs displayed by the protestors, unelected federal program-slasher Elon Musk was the subject of much of the ire. It was not lost on the crowd that for all the administration’s talk of immigrants taking American jobs, the only one taking them by the thousands was the billionaire South African scion of a wealthy family of emerald merchants.

No matter what reason brought people together on Saturday, the message was clear: As long as the Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful protest, people will exercise it. If an administration tries to take those rights away, that’s a slippery path to autocracy.

 Greta Solsaa and Kevin O’Connor /
VTDigger contributed to this reporting.