Hands Off! characterizes itself as a “nationwide mobilization to stop the most brazen power grab in modern history” claiming that “Trump, Musk, and their billionaire cronies are orchestrating an all-out assault on our government, our economy, and our basic rights—enabled by Congress every step of the way.”
More than four hundred people, including URA-AFT members, assembled at the Piscataway Municipal Building on Saturday, April 5 to voice support for democracy, marginalized communities, and civil liberties, according to URA-AFT member Carol Peters. “Speakers included two Rutgers professors from the Department of Genetics, who explained how the administration’s policies are impacting their work, and science more broadly,” she said.
URA-AFT Executive Board member Joshua Eaise said many Philadelphia Federation of Teachers members, other unions and community organizations that constitute Indivisible Philadelphia, organized to bring together thousands in Center City Philadelphia Saturday. “We are standing against the administration’s assault on the programs and institutions that educate our kids, keep us healthy, and promote economic security,” said Eaise. He said that AFT President Randi Weingarten gave a rousing reminder of labor’s vital role in protecting these indispensable public services. “It felt good to be out there, standing and marching in solidarity,” he said.
Praising the millions came out Saturday, Rahna Epting, of MoveOn said, “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.”
