RI ‘Hands Off!’ Protestors: ‘Ho-Ho, Donald Trump Has Got to Go!’
[CREDIT: Jeni Luther] Thousands of people swelled the streets in Providence April 5 to tell the Musk -Trump Coup to take their hands off Americans’ freedoms, security, voting rights, Medicare, Social Security and powers not granted in the U.S. Constitution during the national Hands Off protest.PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Islanders in four Ocean State locations were among millions nationwide turning out for ‘Hands Off!’ protests against the Musk – Trump Coup seizing Congressional powers, defying court orders and starting a trade war that has cost Americans trillions in stock market value.
The Hands Off national mobilization organized more than 1,200 events in all 50 states and a dozen locations globally, demanding an end to the authoritarian overreach by Trump and Musk. The event is led by a coalition of 192 advocacy groups including the League of Women Voters, American Civl Liberties Union (ACLU), The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), National Education Assoociation (NEA) and MOVEON.
Turnout far exceeded expectations, according to a statement from the group, underscoring the nationwide groundswell of opposition to Trump and Musk’s attempts to harm everyday people in America.
“What we witnessed today was nothing short of extraordinary. Across the country and around the world, people came together to say: we will not be silent while our rights, our futures, and our democracy are under attack,” said Rahna Epting, Executive Director, MoveOn. “This peaceful movement is powered by everyday people—nurses, teachers, students, parents—who are rising up to protect what matters most. We are united, we are relentless, and we are just getting started.”
“Coming off Trump and Musk’s defeat in Wisconsin, their wrecking ball to trade and growing resistance among Washington Democrats, we are going to send a message to MAGA and the entire country that no one can miss: hands off our health care, our Social Security, our education, our economy, our civil rights, our freedom,” the organization wrote in a release emailed to subscribers of the Susan Rogan substack.
The events were organized with a commitment to nonviolent action. “We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values, and to act lawfully at these events,” the wrote on its website organizing the protests.
“This is a nationwide mobilization to stop the most brazen power grab in modern history. 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.
They want to strip America for parts—shuttering Social Security offices, firing essential workers, eliminating consumer protections, and gutting Medicaid—all to bankroll their billionaire tax scam. They’re handing over our tax dollars, our public services, and our democracy to the ultra-rich.
If we don’t fight now, there won’t be anything left to save,”
RI Hands Off! Protests: Trump has got to go
In Rhode Island, four protests were held, drawing hundreds to the smaller protests and filling the streets at Hope High School in Providence.
O’Neill bike path at Main Street, South Kingstown, RI, noon
Hope High School, Providence, RI, noon
USPS/Bank Newport Tiverton, RI, noon
Town Hall, Westerly, RI, 1 p.m.
In Westerly, about two hundred protesters rapidly filled the front of the Town Hall property, chanting, “Hey-hey, Ho-Ho, Donald Trump Has Got to Go.” The slogan, broadcast with a loudspeaker, was nearly drowned out by booing from the opposition.
[CREDIT: Mary Carlos] In Westerly, about 200 people showed at Town Hall for the national Hands Off! protests.In Providence, organizers told the crowd, which had swelled to fill the streets, that there were about 20,000 people gathered. Jeni Luther of Coventry was among them.[CREDIT: Jeni Luther] Thousands of people swelled the streets in Providence April 5 to tell the Musk -Trump Coup to take their hands off Americans’ freedoms, security, voting rights, Medicare, Social Security and powers not granted in the U.S. Constitution during the national Hands Off protest.
“I am not good at estimating but from Hope High School it was a massive crowd, people who were relaxed and friendly- it definitely wasn’t an angry mob. But there was some passion!” Luther said.
“We walked down Hope Street to Thayer and then down Angell Street past the First Baptist Church to Kennedy PLaza. People along the route were out on their porches and roofs, waving their own signs, it was great!”
Luther said there were a lot of families, young people and “quite a lot of older folks,” among the crowd, who also chanted “Hey-hey, Ho-Ho, Donald Trump Has Got to Go,” as well as “Love, not Hate, Is What Makes Us Great.” She said she did not witness or hear any counter-protests during her travels.
[CREDIT: Jeannine Asprinio] Thousands of people swelled the streets in Providence April 5 to tell the Musk -Trump Coup to take their hands off Americans’ freedoms, security, voting rights, during the national Hands Off protest. Above, a collection of the signs they carried.
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
![[CREDIT: Jeni Luther] Thousands of people swelled the streets in Providence April 5 to tell the Musk -Trump Coup to take their hands off Americans' freedoms, security, voting rights, Medicare, Social Security and powers not granted in the U.S. Constitution during the national Hands Off protest.](https://e8dgfhu6pow.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Providence-Hands-Off-Protest-3-April-5-2025.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![[CREDIT: Jeni Luther] Thousands of people swelled the streets in Providence April 5 to tell the Musk -Trump Coup to take their hands off Americans' freedoms, security, voting rights, Medicare, Social Security and powers not granted in the U.S. Constitution during the national Hands Off protest.](https://e8dgfhu6pow.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Providence-Hands-Off-Protest-3-April-5-2025-336x337.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![[CREDIT: Mary Carlos] In Westerly, about 200 people showed at Town Hall for the national Hands Off! protests.](https://e8dgfhu6pow.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Westerly-Hands-Off-Protest-April-5-2025.jpeg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![[CREDIT: Jeni Luther] Thousands of people swelled the streets in Providence April 5 to tell the Musk -Trump Coup to take their hands off Americans' freedoms, security, voting rights, Medicare, Social Security and powers not granted in the U.S. Constitution during the national Hands Off protest.](https://e8dgfhu6pow.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Providence-Hands-Off-Protest-April-5-2025.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![[CREDIT: Jeannine Asprinio] Thousands of people swelled the streets in Providence April 5 to tell the Musk -Trump Coup to take their hands off Americans' freedoms, security, voting rights, during the national Hands Off protest. Above, a collection of the signs they carried.](https://e8dgfhu6pow.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Providence-Hands-Off-Protest-signs-April-5-2025.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
