Protests Erupt Across the United States in Response to Trump’s Tariffs
As President Donald Trump‘s tariffs spark economic disorder, people from all walks of life in the United States and many other countries hit the streets on Saturday for a series of “Hands Off” protests and demonstrations. More than 200 organizations came together in solidarity to oppose what the organizers have labeled “the most brazen power grab in modern history.”
Rahna Epting, a leader from MoveOn, one of the groups that helped put the protests together, expressed her amazement at the sheer number of people who showed up, calling it a “nothing short of extraordinary” display of unity and dissent.
Imaginative Signage Dominates the “Hands Off” Protests
“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,” Epting expressed in a statement. “We are united, we are relentless, and we are just getting started.”
And as is the custom these days during protests, the most meaningful and striking expressions weren’t just heard through shouts or speeches—they were seen on simple pieces of cardboard and hand-drawn words.
Viral Signs from the “Hands Off” Rallies
The ‘Hands Off’ rallies turned into a vibrant display of imaginative protest, with people carrying signs that were clever, biting, and full of pop culture references. Here are five signs that caught people’s attention and went viral:
1) “Honk if you never drunk texted war plans.”
2) “Grab him by the Teslacles.”
3) “But it was the Gulf of Mexico at birth!”
4) “So f—ed up that even introverts are here.”
5) “They’re eating the checks; they’re eating the balances.”
The “Hands Off” Movement Gains Momentum
While Donald Trump enjoyed his time playing golf in Florida on a Saturday, thousands of people took to the streets to show their opposition. The “Hands Off” movement seems to be a fresh display of the public’s energy—not just aimed at Trump but also against what is perceived as the gradual acceptance of authoritarian behaviour disguised by administrative procedures and flashy attitudes.
