Thousands of demonstrators are expected to flood the streets of Seattle and Washington D.C. in what is shaping up to be one of the largest coordinated protest efforts in recent years. Branded as the “Hands Off” movement, the nationwide day of action is aimed at opposing a series of controversial policy decisions linked to former President Donald Trump and Department of Government Efficiency chief Elon Musk.
In Seattle, protestors will gather at Seattle Center in a high-energy rally featuring over 20 speakers, live music, and art installations. Organizers say the demonstration is a stand against federal actions that have negatively impacted immigrants, retirees dependent on Social Security and Medicare, and civil servants recently laid off due to administrative cuts.
Speakers will address concerns ranging from immigration enforcement to the restructuring of public services and the perceived erosion of democratic protections. Attendees are expected to include community organizers, union members, veterans, students, and families united under the shared message of protecting civil rights and public welfare.
Washington D.C. will simultaneously host one of the movement’s largest events, with a major rally scheduled at the Washington Monument. From there, the protest energy is set to spill over into surrounding areas, including communities across Northern Virginia and Maryland, as grassroots mobilization continues to expand.
The “Hands Off” initiative is part of a larger national push, with protests expected in all 50 states under a campaign calling for unified resistance to policies deemed harmful to working-class Americans and marginalized populations. Local events across Washington State—from Vancouver to Spokane—are expected to draw crowds in solidarity with the broader movement.
Critics of the current federal agenda have voiced concern over sweeping job cuts in the civil service, increased deportations, tariff-related economic instability, and proposed reductions in higher education funding. Many view the growing influence of billionaires in government decision-making as a direct threat to democratic institutions and the social safety net.
As demonstrators raise their voices across city centers and suburban communities alike, the “Hands Off” movement signals a bold stand against policies that, according to protestors, prioritize power and profit over people and progress.
