heading into next week. IT’S EXPECTED THAT 600 áTHOUSAND PEOPLE ATTENDEND PROTESTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TODAY. GATHERING IN EVERY STATE FOR THE “HANDS OFF” RALLIES — INCLUDING HERE IN VERMONT… DESPITE THE DREARY WEATHER. THESE PROTESTS ARE FOCUSED ON OPPOSING THE POLICIES OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND ELON MUSK. NBC5’S YUNIER MARTINEZ SPOKE WITH DEMONSTRATORS AT SOME OF THE RALLIES TODAY. <NAT> <“It’s very scary.”> BUTTED <“We’re saddened that we have to be out here”> BUTTED <“IF WE’RE GOING TO SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY, IT’S GOING TO TAKE THE PEOPLE.”> THOUSANDS ACROSS VERMONT, REACHING COMMUNITIES LIKE WINDSOR AND CHITTENDEN COUNTY <NAT> GATHERED SATURDAY, UNITED IN OPPOSITION TO THE POLICIES OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND ELON MUSK Ruth Uphold, Charlotte <“I applaud Hands Off and Indivisible and everybody who’s coordinated 1300 demonstrations across the country.”> THE “HANDS OFF” RALLIES ARE PART OF A NATIONWIDE EFFORT HAPPENING IN CITIES LARGE AND SMALL WITH OVER A DOZEN RALLIES TAKING PLACE HERE IN VERMONT <NAT> David Miskell, Charlotte <what I see happening is that people are waking up, cold spring day and in Burlington, whole lot of people coming thing. We want to be able to raise our Linda Carrigan, South Burlington <“We’ve lost all BUTTED TO SOCIAL SECURITY, FEDERAL WORKFORCE CUTS TO TARIFFS PROTESTERS VOICED THEIR CONCERNS ON ISSUES THEY SAY ARE HURTING THEIR FUTURE Linda Carrigan, South Burlington <“We’ve lost all our allies. And I think what’s happening between Canada and the US is deplorable. I think we have nobody in the cabinet that really understands what democracy is or how important our Constitution is.”> AS THE PROTESTS CONTINUE SOME BELIEVE THESE RALLIES WILL ONLY GROW BIGGER Alex, Burlington <“I think as the Trump administration’s disruptions grow wider, as they start attacking our economy, as they start threatening Soci
‘Hands Off’: protesters across Vermont rally against Trump and Musk
‘If we’re going to save our democracy, it’s going to take the people,’ said one demonstrator
Thousands of demonstrators across the United States united on Saturday for the “Hands Off!” rallies, organized in opposition to the policies of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. These protests, held in cities large and small, were part of a nationwide effort with more than 1,300 rallies coordinated across the country, including several in Vermont. The rallies, which took place in communities like St. Albans, Rutland, Montpelier, and Burlington, brought together people voicing concerns on a variety of issues, including immigration, Social Security, federal workforce cuts, and tariffs. Ruth Uphold, a protester from Charlotte, praised the nationwide efforts, stating, “I applaud Hands Off! and Indivisible and everybody who’s coordinated 1,300 demonstrations across the country.”At rallies, people voiced concerns about policies they believe are undermining vital national institutions and human rights.Linda Carrigan from South Burlington expressed her frustration, stating, “We’ve lost all our allies, and what’s happening between Canada and the U.S. is deplorable. I don’t think anyone in the cabinet truly understands what democracy is or how important our Constitution is.” Protesters shared a variety of emotions about what these rallies meant for them.One demonstrator expressed, “It’s very scary,” reflecting the anxiety many feel regarding the current administration’s decisions.Others voiced similar concerns about the importance of saving democracy. “We’re saddened that we have to be out here,” one protester said, while another emphasized the need for action: “If we’re going to save our democracy, it’s going to take the people.”These rallies have been ongoing since January, and protesters believe they will continue for the foreseeable future.“I think as the Trump administration’s disruptions grow wider, as they start attacking our economy, as they start threatening Social Security and Medicare, which they’ve already threatened to do, I think more people are going to be coming out and joining,” said Alex, from Burlington.
BURLINGTON, Vt. —Thousands of demonstrators across the United States united on Saturday for the “Hands Off!” rallies, organized in opposition to the policies of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
These protests, held in cities large and small, were part of a nationwide effort with more than 1,300 rallies coordinated across the country, including several in Vermont.
The rallies, which took place in communities like St. Albans, Rutland, Montpelier, and Burlington, brought together people voicing concerns on a variety of issues, including immigration, Social Security, federal workforce cuts, and tariffs.
Ruth Uphold, a protester from Charlotte, praised the nationwide efforts, stating, “I applaud Hands Off! and Indivisible and everybody who’s coordinated 1,300 demonstrations across the country.”
At rallies, people voiced concerns about policies they believe are undermining vital national institutions and human rights.
Linda Carrigan from South Burlington expressed her frustration, stating, “We’ve lost all our allies, and what’s happening between Canada and the U.S. is deplorable. I don’t think anyone in the cabinet truly understands what democracy is or how important our Constitution is.”
Protesters shared a variety of emotions about what these rallies meant for them.
One demonstrator expressed, “It’s very scary,” reflecting the anxiety many feel regarding the current administration’s decisions.
Others voiced similar concerns about the importance of saving democracy.
“We’re saddened that we have to be out here,” one protester said, while another emphasized the need for action: “If we’re going to save our democracy, it’s going to take the people.”
These rallies have been ongoing since January, and protesters believe they will continue for the foreseeable future.
“I think as the Trump administration’s disruptions grow wider, as they start attacking our economy, as they start threatening Social Security and Medicare, which they’ve already threatened to do, I think more people are going to be coming out and joining,” said Alex, from Burlington.
