By 11:10 a.m., nearly an hour before the official start time, thousands had already packed Chicago’s Grant Park for the “Hands Off!” national day of protest. Many clutched handmade signs. Others stood in clusters, venting about former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk — and the fear they said their policies have left behind.
The Chicago demonstration was one of more than 1,200 protests across the U.S., part of a sweeping day of action to oppose the Trump-era rollback of civil rights, healthcare protections, and government funding. Organizers also criticized Musk’s unelected status and interference in U.S. government agencies and tech-driven cuts that threaten federal safety nets.
Jean Bednar, who drove in from Elgin, came to protest for one reason: Trump.
“There are so many issues, I couldn’t even decide what to put on my sign,” Bednar said. “They’re breaking everything and ruining the world. I never thought this could happen in America.”
For Bednar, it was student deportations that shattered her belief in the system. “I was wrecked,” she said.
“No impeachment,” Bednar added. “We need some spines in the House and Senate. We need to get this over with.”
Bednar’s sister, Jill Murray, agreed that Trump “needs to go.”
“I think the government is not being run by someone who is competent,” Murray said. “He’s surrounded himself with other incompetent people and he needs to be removed [from the presidency]. This needs to stop.”
Older Americans made up much of the crowd. Many said they feared cuts to programs they depend on — Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, healthcare insurance benefits for individuals and families with low incomes and limited resources.
“I’m almost 70 and slightly disabled as you can tell,” said Greg Diercks. “I’m worried about disability rights, my Social Security and Medicare. Those are the big ones for me.”
Diercks wasn’t sure how to undo the damage. “Voting in the midterms could help,” he said. “But we’re so far gone right now, I’m not sure how we’ll repair it. There’s no doubt that a lot of things should change. There is bloat in the government but this is not the way to handle it.”
As an out gay man for 50 years, Diercks also worried about LGBTQ and trans rights.
“We have numerous friends who have transgendered children,” he said. “We’re scared to death right now. It’s not one issue. My husband and I have a son who is 19 years old and we worry about his future living in a fascist country. There’s a lot of things on our minds.”
Jay Lenn, Dierck’s husband, said he’s alarmed by what he sees as a secretive dismantling of public agencies under Elon Musk.
“I’m very worried about the dismantling of our bureaucracy,” Lenn said. “We don’t know a lot about it; it just happens. I think the effect on healthcare, education, social services, research and accessibility and affordability regarding healthcare is going to be profound. All of the things being done in the name of diversity, equity and inclusion abolishment is going to hurt people who are very vulnerable.”
A coalition of labor, immigrant rights and LGBTQ+ groups led the protest that provided calls to action aimed at the Trump administration’s policies on healthcare, immigration and civil rights.
Organizers included the Chicago Federation of Labor, Indivisible Chicago, and the Service Employees International Union.
Speakers Precious Brady-Davis, Lawrence Benito and Betty Almazora gave fiery speeches demanding action from all assembled.
“Dr. King said the moral arc of the universe is long and bends toward justice,” Equality Illinois activist and advocate, Brady-Davis said. “We are here to demand equality, dignity and protection for all our [trans] rights. I’m here to challenge you all today. It’s time to get in the fight because I’m sick of an autocracy in the White House. I don’t know about you.”
Lawrence Benito, Executive Director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights urged the crowd to push back against anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric.
“The Trump administration’s aggressive tactics have turned up the volume on longstanding anti-immigrant sentiments,” he said. “We know that it is not the government or the President that protects people. We are the ones who keep each other safe.”
He encouraged attendees to join the group’s “Illinois Eyes on ICE” network by signing up at ICIRR.org.
Almazora warned of rising authoritarianism and urged immediate action.
“We are bearing witness to an expanding crisis; an administration that is carrying out a coup, breaking laws, stealing our resources and attacking our most vulnerable,” the Indivisible Chicago board member said. “This is government by the bullies and for the billionaires. The time to act is now.”
She called on protesters to organize, vote and refuse silence. “Courage is contagious,” Almazora said.
Talk in the crowd also revolved around protesters’ need to stand up for the future of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren by protesting.
On March 14, Trump signed an executive order dismantling the Institute of Museums and Library Services, a federal agency that provides monetary support to museums and libraries across the United States, according to WTTW.
At the local level, Ricky Michalski and his wife brought 3-year-old daughter Hazel to protest attacks on public libraries.
When one protester commented on the importance of standing up for the rights of future generations, Michalski replied, “We love it, too!”
