Columbus rally protesting Trump’s administration draws hundreds
Columbus residents gathered downtown Saturday to join the nationwide ”Hands Off!” movement, a series of protests across the country.
This demonstration aimed to voice opposition to recent policy and budget changes implemented by President Donald Trump’s administration.
What is the ‘Hands Off’ movement?
The event in Columbus was one of 1,200 planned in other cities participating across the U.S., organized, in part by the non-partisan, grassroots organization Indivisible. The event was intended as a peaceful protest, yet the energy of the crowd was activated and enthusiastic, especially as passersby honked in support of the signs.
Judy Barnett is the local Indivisible chapter’s spokesperson, and she says their mission is “local, and it’s to defend our democratic institutions, to promote social justice and progressive values.”
Participation reflected this sentiment, as protesters carried signs with phrases such as “hands off my social security,” and “hands off the libraries,” and “hands off our national parks.”
Reasons for participating
The crowd was diverse in age, race, gender and socioeconomic status. Charles Jones and his wife, Billissess, came to express their concern and fear over the cuts to the Veterans Affairs Department.
Charlie Jones said he’s an Army veteran who relies on his Social Security for their family’s main source of income and feels like his benefits are “under attack.” He said he is “very worried” about what is happening since he’s recently had two appointments at the VA canceled and rescheduled for a date six months away.
Jen Fabrick worked at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control for 10 years before she retired, and she is worried about the downsizing of departments like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Aside from the workers’ safety being at risk, Fabrick is concerned for her former coworkers who are retiring out of fear or because they just “don’t want to deal with it.” She reiterated Charlie Jones’ concerns, saying “everybody is worried.”
A young student, a man who identifies as Native, a woman who was attending her first protest at 71 years old, and a former Army employee who spoke with the Ledger-Enquirer all expressed similar sentiments.
A Trump supporter weighs in
The event was conflict-free and there were not any obvious counterprotestors. One woman in attendance, who said she was a Trump supporter, said she doesn’t regret voting for Trump last year.
Caprecia Myree, a 33 year-old widow says she “did what I thought was right for my country at the time. and I exercised my right.”
Her problems lie with Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency. Myree said she’s distrustful of Musk, who she pointed out isn’t from the U.S., and says she believes “in the Constitution and democracy and that Elon’s presence is not democratic at all.”
She has also been affected by the recent cuts to the Department of Education — she claims her student loan payments have ballooned, and her credit score has plummeted. However, like many of the other demonstrators, she remained hopeful.
“I love America and we need to fight back,” she said.
She said she came to the rally Saturday because she wants to “stand with the people who are actually doing something.”
What are you most concerned about right now? If you were at the “Hands Off” rally today, email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on Instagram.
This story was originally published April 5, 2025 at 2:44 PM.
