Hundreds rally in Orlando for ‘Hands Off’ protest against the Trump administration

Hundreds of people, both young and old, rallied in front of Orlando City Hall on Saturday afternoon in protest of the Trump administration and actions undertaken by President Donald Trump’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency.

The administration, still in its infancy, has faced public outcry over its purported mission to downsize the federal government and eliminate “wasteful spending,”  culminating in mass layoffs of federal employees and efforts to significantly downsize or otherwise dismantle federal agencies such as the Department of Education. The administration has also faced criticism over Trump’s mass immigrant detention and deportation efforts, and the outsized role that tech billionaire Elon Musk — the informal administrator of, or force behind DOGE — has so far played in the federal government.

The protest action was one of more than 1,000 protests organized across all 50 states and U.S. territories Saturday, according to organizers, as part of a national day of action. Organizers estimate that millions of people, altogether, participated.

“What we witnessed today was nothing short of extraordinary. 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,” said Rahna Epting, executive director of the progressive advocacy group MoveOn, in a statement. “This peaceful movement is powered by everyday people — nurses, teachers, students, parents — who are rising up to protect what matters most. We are united, we are relentless, and we are just getting started.” 

In Orlando, locals brought signs with messages such as “Hands off Social Security,” “Americans fight fascists,” and “Hands off fed jobs!” It was a big-tent affair drawing a diverse array of individuals and families unhappy with the direction of the country and its executive leadership. Union members turned out, in addition to representatives of the Orange County Democrats, socialist groups, and older adults and retirees, many of whom held signs explicitly calling out floated cuts to publicly funded  Medicare and Medicaid programs, as well as the Social Security funds every worker contributes part of every paycheck to.

The nationwide day of action was organized by a coalition of labor, environmental, civil rights, and social advocacy groups. Organizers say Saturday was the largest collective act of protest seen since Trump returned to the White House in January.