By Indiana Gallant, Staff Writer
Looking down from the upper floor of Lorenzo’s Pizza, you could see a crowd gathering at the historic courthouse. Bright colored signs broke up the gray day, cheers rising from the street below.
A family sat together by the window, chatting happily, as a large protest sign leaned against the wall beside them.
The sign read, “Hands off our democracy” in bold, red letters as the family ate. A quiet respite from the loud cheering outside.
View of the protest. Image sourced from Indiana Gallant.
On Saturday, April 5th, 2025, Hands Off organized more than 1,200 nationwide protests against the Trump administration and its actions.
Hands Off is a movement led by a coalition of over 200 groups, including The League of Women Voters, Indivisible, American Civil Liberties Union, and Catholics Vote Common Good.
The movement does not center on one issue; rather, it is an attempt to face the many issues they believe are being created or perpetuated by the Trump administration.
“We are facing a national crisis,” Hands Off’s website reads. “Our democracy, our livelihoods, and our rights are all on the line as Trump and Musk execute their illegal takeover.”
Photo of impactful protest sign: “Even Jesus would not forgive what you do”. Image sourced from Indiana Gallant.
The page clarifies their concerns about the administration, citing a variety of issues, such as the dismantling of Social Security and Medicare, demolition of workers’ protections, and attacks on individuals, including immigrants, transgender people, farmers, and political opponents.
People are becoming increasingly concerned as government agencies, such as the Social Security Agency, are experiencing mass-layoffs and changes to the standard processes. This is creating stress and complications for those seeking assistance, primarily seniors and people with disabilities.
Locally, three protests were formed within the Philadelphia area. One occurred in the city, and two others were organized in the suburbs, one in West Chester and the other in Media.
The West Chester protest saw a gathering of approximately 6,000 people, as estimated by local police.
Speakers at the event included Downingtown Mayor Phil Dague, West Chester Mayor Lillian DeBaptiste, and U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan, who expressed their concerns about the path ahead in the face of the Trump administration.
“This isn’t about Republicans or Democrats,” Mayor Phil Dague said before introducing the speakers, “This is a human rights issue. This is an American issue, and boy, we got our work cut out for us.”
The protest centered at the historic courthouse on North High Street, where the speakers stood on the steps with their voices broadcast throughout the area.
“This is a historic location where we come when we have something to say, and today, from the looks of this enormous crowd that has shut West Chester down,” said Houlahan, “we clearly have something to say.”
The gathered protesters certainly did, as the crowd chanted cheers that echoed through the streets. The honking of passing cars, many waving and cheering alongside the crowds, filled the air.
“You are adding your voice to this conversation,” Houlahan declared, “I hear you.”
The crowd seemed to agree, cheers rising at Houlahan’s words and a sign that read, “Silence is Complicity,” reflecting her own words back to her.
Houlahan continued on, discussing a variety of issues facing the American people, and making it clear that the Trump administration is failing the people.
“In fewer than 90 days, Donald Trump has taken the best economy and tanked it,” Houlahan stated, “He has installed the least qualified and most dangerous cabinet in the history of this nation.”
Her concerns were broad, expanding from the economy to education, to the VA and national security.
“He has unleashed his co-president and his posse of tech bros to wreak havoc on everything from Social Security to Medicare, to the Department of Education.”
Her implications of Elon Musk’s involvement in the government raised voices once again. Musk’s popularity was at an all-time low in the crowd that day, with signs dedicated to his actions and involvement prevalent among them.
“There’s only one immigrant taking away American jobs,” one read, and another said, “F’Elon”- a creative combination of Musk’s name, the word “felon,” and a particularly popular insult.
State Representative Chris Peilli stepped forward to talk about the cutting of over 80,000 Veterans Affairs jobs, among other extreme cuts in government funding.
“Donald Trump was right about one thing: We’re being screwed. But it’s not by immigrants. It’s definitely not by veterans; it’s not by any of you folks here,” Peili states, “It’s not by trans people or gay people. It’s about billionaires, and the point is they haven’t been paying their fair share.”
He expressed his concern about the slow and expensive processes of healthcare, especially for veterans. He suggests that veterans are waiting 6-9 months for their claims decisions.
Another impactful protest sign. Image sourced from Indiana Gallant.
“Ask yourself: does Elon or Trump wait over a year for their healthcare benefits?”
The crowd was packed in, closing down a portion of North High Street in between Market and Gay Street. Overlooking the area, secondary groups of protesters formed across from the courthouse.
Other speakers, including Lillian D. Baptiste, persisted in their messages as the crowd continued to grow.
“I would suggest this: you are all going to have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” Baptiste said, “Because this fight is not for the day, it’s not for the year, it’s not for the next two years. It’s for the next four years.”
Baptiste encouraged protestors to select where they spend money with caution.
“The only way to get their attention is financial impact.”
According to Indivisible, one of the organizations that lead the movement, nearly 600,000 people signed up to participate in the nationwide events, but the turnout was in the millions.
“We expected hundreds of thousands. But at virtually every single event, the crowds eclipsed our estimates,” Indivisible said in a statement following the mass protests.
The organizers and the many participants hope to stop the “corruption” and “mismanagement” of the Trump administration.
Sources:
https://www.commondreams.org/news/hands-off-protests-april-5 https://www.cbpp.org/research/social-security/trump-administration-doge-activities-risk-ssa-operations-and-security-of
