By: Sahra Mohamed
On Saturday, April 5th, “Hands Off” protests swept across all 50 U.S. states and cities around the world, uniting communities against the Trump administration’s list of controversial policies, from mass deportations and aggressive tariffs to executive orders targeting marginalized groups. The movement has brought together civil rights organizations, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and labor unions. These groups have organized coordinated actions, including digital campaigns, sit-ins, and mass marches across cities nationwide, calling on Elon Musk to resign. In major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets under the “Hands Off” banner, demanding the protection of civil liberties and human rights. Among the protesters were students, many of whom have been targeted on their college campuses by the Trump administration for their right to free speech, and have since been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). One case drawing national attention is the recent detention of Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old Turkish Ph.D student at Tufts University.
On March 25, Rumeysa Ozturk was taken by masked ICE agents outside her home in Somerville, Massachusetts, and transported to a remote ICE detention facility in Louisiana, as reported in AP News. She was held for over 22 hours before her location was disclosed. Ozturk had recently written an op-ed criticizing the university’s response to pro-Palestinian student activism. Shortly after, her visa was abruptly terminated following vague allegations of “supporting Hamas,” though federal authorities have provided no evidence to support the claim. Her lawyers argue that the government’s actions violate her constitutional rights, including due process and freedom of speech. A federal judge has yet to rule on her release. Meanwhile, public support continues to grow, with colleagues and students at Tufts organizing rallies and submitting open letters demanding she be freed.
Protesters are also reacting to several executive orders issued by Trump, which eliminate environmental protections, limit access to asylum, and violate the legal rights of transgender individuals in healthcare and education. These orders are seen as violations of the Constitution and civil rights. The White House issued a statement defending Trump’s policies, emphasizing his commitment to protecting programs like Medicare. The statement also criticized Democrats, accusing them of threatening these programs by extending benefits to undocumented individuals.
“President Trump’s position is clear: he will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the Democrats’ stance is giving Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare benefits to illegal aliens, which will bankrupt these programs and crush American seniors.”
Demonstrations show no signs of slowing down. Solidarity marches have sprung up across Canada, the UK, Portugal, India, Germany, and France. As the “Hands Off” movement grows internationally, it has become a symbol of resistance against policies that many view as oppressive and unjust. Despite ICE continuing to detain students and send them to remote detention centers, the movement is gaining significant traction. People from all walks of life are uniting to send a clear message: the world is watching, and the fight for justice, accountability, and human dignity will continue until the laws change.
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