Robin Levinson King in Boston, Jenna Moon in Washington DC & Bernd Debusmann Jr in FloridaBBC NewsGetty ImagesThousands of people turned out for a protest in Washington DC.Crowds of liberal protesters have amassed in cities across the US to denounce Donald Trump’s presidency, in the largest nationwide show of opposition since Trump took office in January. The “Hands Off” protest planners aimed to hold rallies in 1,200 locations, including in all 50 US states. Throngs of people turned out in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington DC, among other cities, on Saturday. Protesters cited grievances with Trump’s agenda ranging from social to economic issues. Coming days after Trump’s announcement that the US would impose import tariffs on most countries around the world, gatherings were also held outside the US, including in London, Paris and Berlin.Getty ImagesA protester in London held a toilet scrub brush that bears Trump’s likenessAFP via Getty ImagesProtestors in Paris joined in, holding up signs in English. In Boston, some protesters said they were motivated by immigration raids on US university students that have led to arrests and deportation proceedings. Law student Katie Smith told BBC News that she was motivated by Turkish international student Rumeysa Ozturk, whose arrest near Boston-area Tufts University by masked US agents was caught on camera last month.”You can stand up today or you can be taken later,” she said, adding: “I’m not usually a protest girlie.”In London, protesters held signs reading, “WTAF America?”, “Stop hurting people” and “He’s an idiot”.They chanted “hands off Canada”, “hands off Greenland” and “hands off Ukraine”, referencing Trump’s changes to US foreign policy. Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in annexing Canada and Greenland. He also got into a public dispute with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and has struggled to negotiate a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia.In Washington DC, thousands of protesters gathered to watch speeches by Democratic lawmakers. Many remarks focused on the role played in Trump’s administration by wealthy donors – most notably Elon Musk, who has served as an advisor to the president and spearheaded an effort to dramatically cut spending and the federal workforce.Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost denounced the “billionaire takeover of our government”.”When you steal from the people, expect the people to rise up. At the ballot box and in the streets,” he shouted.ReutersGetty ImagesA protest was held in West Palm Beach, Florida, nearby to where Trump was golfingOne protester in Washington named Theresa told the BBC that she was there because “we’re losing our democratic rights”.”I’m very concerned about the cuts they’re making to the federal government,” she said, adding that she is also concerned about retirement and education benefits. Asked if she thought Trump was receiving the protesters’ message, she said: “Well, let’s see. [Trump has] been golfing just about every day.”Trump held no public events on Saturday, and spent the day golfing at a resort he owns in Florida. He was scheduled to play golf again on Sunday.Getty ImagesIn Washington, protesters lampooned Trump’s move to tariff a penguin-inhabited Australian islandAFP via Getty ImagesProtestors also gathered in Houston, Texas.One of Trump’s top immigration advisors, Tom Homan, told Fox News on Saturday that protesters held a rally outside of his New York home, but that he was in Washington at the time. “They can protest a vacant house all they want,” Homan said, adding that their presence “tied up” law enforcement and prevented officials from seeing to more important tasks.”Protests and rallies, they don’t mean anything,” Homan continued.”So go ahead and exercise your first amendment [free speech] rights. It’s not going to change the facts of the case.”AFP via Getty ImagesIn St. Paul, Minnesota, protestors railed against Trump and flew an upside down American flag, a distress message that has become a symbol of protest.
Anti-Trump protests gather in cities across the US
