"Hands Off!" Protests: U.S. Activism and Policy Debates

Numerous sources, including news reports and analyses, describe widespread "Hands Off!" protests against the Trump administration's policies. These demonstrations, occurring across all fifty states and internationally, were organized by a large coalition of civil rights, labor, and pro-democracy groups. Protesters voiced opposition to issues like federal worker layoffs, cuts to Social Security and Medicare, restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights, and increased tariffs, framing their actions as a defense of democratic principles and civil liberties against perceived authoritarianism and corporate influence. Analytical sources further explore the political, economic, social, and legal factors surrounding the protests, assessing their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, as well as their mission, objectives, strategies, and tactics.