As part of national 'Hands Off!' event, protesters in Indiana speak out against Trump, Musk
More than a thousand demonstrations took place nationwide on Saturday, April 5, as part of the "Hands Off!" mobilization event.
Speakers and attendees at events around the country protested President Donald Trump's actions since returning to the White House, including Elon Musk's leadership role.
Here's a look at what happened Saturday around Indiana.
At the Indiana Statehouse, the crowd decried cuts to Social Security and the Veterans Administration, criticized Trump's rhetoric and voiced support for the LGBTQ+ community.
In the 2024 election, Marion County was one of only four Indiana counties where Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris garnered more votes than Trump.
During a rainy day in Bloomington, hundreds of protesters grabbed their umbrellas, ponchos and signs and headed to the courthouse square. Together they chanted "For the people, by the people," "hands off" and more. Mayor Kerry Thomson attended as well as former and current public officials.
▶ Read more from the Herald-Times.
The Journal & Courier reported that a man who bystanders said was angry about traffic was involved in a disruption during the "Hands Off!" protest in Lafayette.
Video from the event shows the man, who was wearing a MAGA hat, in an altercation with a protester who headbutted him. After that, he went back to his vehicle and retrieved what appeared to be an assault rifle. The man was arrested and later released after officers said they determined he didn't point the gun at anyone. Police say he was "pushed and battered by individuals in the crowd" and described retrieving his gun as "an act of self-defense."
Police also arrested the protester who headbutted the man in the MAGA hat.
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Muncie's protest came a week after Trump critics confronted U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, a Noblesville Republican whose district includes the Muncie area, at a local town hall meeting. Protesters held signs with phrases including "No kings in America" and "My 401 got KO'd."
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To the north, thousands gathered in South Bend and spoke out about immigrant and LGBTQ+ rights, education policies and other issues they have with the Trump White House. An event coordinator said about 600 people RSVP'd to the event, but many more came. A march planned during the event had a train of protesters throughout the mile-long route.
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'Hands Off!' protests: What to know about the nationwide event
Wil Courtney contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: See what happened at 'Hands Off!' events protesting Trump around Indiana
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