Latest news with #HandsOff!'
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bellingham turns out for local version of national day of protest against Trump policies
Thousands of people gathered at Bellingham City Hall on Saturday to protest the actions of President Donald Trump, his administration and Elon Musk. The protest is one of hundreds across the nation called 'Hands Off!' that took place Saturday. Speakers included people from various groups that warn they're under attack by the Trump administration, including teachers, doctors, Planned Parenthood staff, climate activists transgender individuals and immigrants. Bellingham City Council members also addressed the crowd, which displayed hundreds of handmade signs and chanted throughout. The protest targeted a wide range of actions and stood in defense of immigrant rights, transgender rights, due process and the U.S. Constitution. Many also were there to protest the recent implementation of widespread tariffs and the dismantling of the federal government that is being conducted under the supervision of billionaire Elon Musk on behalf of the Trump administration. Tens of thousands of federal employees have been fired since Inauguration Day, and many health-related departments have been decimated. 'I'm sure many of you know that this is a dark few months for the environment, for science, public lands and environmental justice,' said Seth Mangold, community engagement specialist at RE Sources. 'The cuts on funding on science, research, staffing at land management agencies have been relentless and far reaching. These attacks have immediate impacts and they are putting people out of work and putting communities in danger. Communities impacted by climate disasters cannot rely on the federal government for aid and support.' The Bellingham protest came days after 37 allegedly illegal immigrants were arrested by ICE at Mount Baker Roofing in Bellingham, and just over a week after ICE arrested political activist and union organizer Alfredo (Lelo) Juarez Zeferino. 'To them we say: 'Hands off!'' said Kevin Leja with Indivisible Bellingham, a grassroots group that organized the City Hall protest and secured a permit with the city for the event. Leja called for the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to get their 'hands off' workers rights, civil rights, voting rights, our bodies, free speech, veterans, postal workers, public lands, public safety and security, our wallets, Medicare, schools, immigrants, health care and U.S. democracy. 'If we don't fight now, there won't be anything left to save,' he said. Other speakers including Bellingham City Councilor and longtime community organizer Jace Cotton; Michael Barres, a former teacher, principal and school district administrator who currently is part of the Bellingham Indivisible leadership group; Sharon Camblin with the Whatcom Faith Community for Immigrant Support; Selene Etherige, a transgender woman who spoke about the violence she has experienced from transphobia; Brenda Howell, who has been involved in HIV care and services for over 40 years; Jade Phillips, community organizer and data manager at Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood; local business owner Homero Jose Garrido, an immigrant to the U.S. who served on the city of Bellingham's Immigrant Advisory Board; and Bellingham City Councilor Skip Williams, a former public school teacher. 'This administration is carrying out (attacks) on worker immigrants and their families, but let me tell you who we are,' Garrido said. 'We are your neighbors. We are your friends.' 'I am deeply concerned for the future of reproductive rights,' said Phillips of Planned Parenthood. 'And also for the rights of other marginalized and intersecting communities and identities. I am concerned for health care, for social services, for public lands, for fair elections and more than I can name today. I am angry, angry that this fight is not over. I am angry that this fight has just begun.' Another group of protesters gathered outside of the Federal Building in downtown Bellingham, and many of them made their way to City Hall. Speeches at City Hall lasted about 90 minutes. Two Bellingham Police officers in the vicinity as people dispersed said there were no reports of violence or any altercations related to the protest.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands protest Trump, Musk in Providence rally
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Providence Saturday afternoon to protest the Trump administration and Elon Musk. Harrison Tuttle, who was in attendance and has been to past demonstrations protesting the administration, told 12 News organizers were there to 'resist' Trump and Musk from 'impacting Rhode Islanders across the state and across the country.' 'We're so excited to have so many Rhode Islanders come out and support this action here, 'Hands Off! Rhode Island,'' Tuttle said. 'This is a national movement that's going across the country right now and we're saying 'enough is enough,' we are resisting Donald Trump, we are resisting fascism and we are resisting hate of all forms.' Michael Durand, a South Kingstown resident, said he thinks the rally 'sends a message.' 'People are upset, rightfully so,' Durand added. 'I'm again grateful to see so many people here and know that there are tens of thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of people doing the same thing all across the country.' The rally in Providence began at Hope High School and made its way to Kennedy Plaza. This demonstration was part of a national movement called 'Hands Off!'. (Story continues below.) READ MORE: Protesters tee off against Trump and Musk in 'Hands Off!' rallies across the US Other demonstrations took place throughout the state in Tiverton, Portsmouth and Block Island. Similar rallies have happened in Rhode Island since Trump's second term began, including when hundreds gathered outside the State House in late February. ALSO READ: Hundreds gather at State House to protest Musk's involvement in Trump administration U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse were at one of the rallies that took place in Washington, D.C. Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers put out a statement in response to the rally. Below is his full statement. 'Let's be crystal clear, this 'Hands Off' movement isn't about protecting people, it's about protecting political privilege. If these protesters really cared about what's hurting Rhode Islanders, they'd be marching with signs that say 'Hands Off Our Money.' But instead, they've fallen for the latest round of D.C.-manufactured propaganda, spoon-fed by the Democrat Party and repeated verbatim by our very own Congressional delegation.' 'It's not the people exposing waste, abuse, and fraud who are the problem—it's the waste, abuse, and fraud itself. Why are the Democrats working so hard to defend bloated spending, unchecked bureaucracies, and programs that fail the people they're supposed to help? What exactly are they hiding? Is it because their taxpayer-funded debit card finally has a daily limit on it? 'It's offensive to hardworking Rhode Islanders to see political operatives parading as grassroots advocates while demanding no oversight, no accountability, and no limits on spending. Every dollar wasted by Washington is a dollar stolen from taxpayers who are working harder than ever to make ends meet. 'Enough is enough. If the Democrats are truly worried about helping people, they'd clean up the mess—not try to cover it up. Rhode Islanders deserve leaders who protect their wallets, not political insiders who protect their own interests.' NEXT: Nesi's Notes: April 5 Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Hands Off!' protest in Pitman draws about 500 in a rally against Trump's policies
Approximately 500 people attended a "Hands Off!" rally in Pitman on Saturday to protest policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and his billionaire adviser, Elon Musk. The protest, scheduled for 1:30-3:30 p.m., took place at Ballard Park. It included a few speeches from participants, including one from a man with blonde dreadlocks who identified himself as "Pastor Randy." Protesters, a mostly middle-aged crowd, lined up in the park and also along Pitman Avenue outside of McCowan Memorial Library, waving signs and chanting at traffic. Background: What are 'Hands Off!' protests? South Jerseyans among those hoping to put D.C. on notice. Some passing motorists honked horns in support. Police were on scene, but no problems or counter-protests were observed through at least 2 p.m. Saturday. Broadway was block for one block outside of the park, with traffic detoured around the library. Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey 36 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times. Have a tip? Support local journalism with a subscription. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: 'Hands Off!' was a nationwide effort to protest Trump's policies
