PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Providence Saturday afternoon to protest the Trump administration and Elon Musk.
Harrison Tuttle, who was in attendance and has been to past demonstrations protesting the administration, told 12 News organizers were there to “resist” Trump and Musk from “impacting Rhode Islanders across the state and across the country.”
“We’re so excited to have so many Rhode Islanders come out and support this action here, ‘Hands Off! Rhode Island,’” Tuttle said. “This is a national movement that’s going across the country right now and we’re saying ‘enough is enough,’ we are resisting Donald Trump, we are resisting fascism and we are resisting hate of all forms.”
Michael Durand, a South Kingstown resident, said he thinks the rally “sends a message.”
“People are upset, rightfully so,” Durand added. “I’m again grateful to see so many people here and know that there are tens of thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of people doing the same thing all across the country.”
The rally in Providence began at Hope High School and made its way to Kennedy Plaza. This demonstration was part of a national movement called “Hands Off!”.
(Story continues below.)
Other demonstrations took place throughout the state in Tiverton, Portsmouth and Block Island.
Similar rallies have happened in Rhode Island since Trump’s second term began, including when hundreds gathered outside the State House in late February.
U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse were at one of the rallies that took place in Washington, D.C.
Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers put out a statement in response to the rally. Below is his full statement.
“Let’s be crystal clear, this ‘Hands Off’ movement isn’t about protecting people, it’s about protecting political privilege. If these protesters really cared about what’s hurting Rhode Islanders, they’d be marching with signs that say ‘Hands Off Our Money.’ But instead, they’ve fallen for the latest round of D.C.-manufactured propaganda, spoon-fed by the Democrat Party and repeated verbatim by our very own Congressional delegation.”
“It’s not the people exposing waste, abuse, and fraud who are the problem—it’s the waste, abuse, and fraud itself. Why are the Democrats working so hard to defend bloated spending, unchecked bureaucracies, and programs that fail the people they’re supposed to help? What exactly are they hiding? Is it because their taxpayer-funded debit card finally has a daily limit on it?
“It’s offensive to hardworking Rhode Islanders to see political operatives parading as grassroots advocates while demanding no oversight, no accountability, and no limits on spending. Every dollar wasted by Washington is a dollar stolen from taxpayers who are working harder than ever to make ends meet.
“Enough is enough. If the Democrats are truly worried about helping people, they’d clean up the mess—not try to cover it up. Rhode Islanders deserve leaders who protect their wallets, not political insiders who protect their own interests.”
Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.
Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app.
Follow us on social media:
