“Show me what democracy looks like.” “This is what democracy looks like.”
The call and response chant rang out loudly as thousands of protestors filled 20 blocks of Fifth Avenue on a chilly, rainy afternoon. The massive action in New York City on April 5 was part of the nationwide Hands Off mobilization. It was organized by
various groups, including Rise and Resist, who estimated the crowd at 100,000.
From small town to big cities, Americans came out in all 50 states and DC to protest the Trump-Musk takeover, the slashing of jobs and essential programs, the assault on democracy and freedom, the attacks on immigrants and trans people, and more.
In Manhattan, demonstrators streamed from the subway and gathered at Bryant Park. They marched down Fifth Avenue from 42nd Street to Madison Square Park at 23rd Street. Teams of trained marshals handled traffic control and crowd control, stopping cars and buses and holding up marchers, so it all flowed.
Yes, many boomers were at the demo in New York, but there were also families with children and young people chanting, “Hands off our future.” It was a peaceful and energizing protest with marchers carrying creative signs for different issues. But everyone agreed on one thing: “Hey hey. Ho ho. Donald Trump has got to go.”
The demonstration in New York City on April 5 was part of the first wave of massive protests taking place across the country during April.
