Washington DC: Thousands of protesters took to the streets across the United States on Saturday, voicing renewed opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies, nearly two weeks after the first wave of coordinated protests.
While turnout appeared smaller in major cities such as New York, Washington and Chicago compared to the April 5 rallies, the energy remained high, with organizers saying more than 700 events were held nationwide — from Jacksonville, Florida, to Los Angeles — according to The New York Times.
HAPPENING NOW: Protesters fill the streets while blasting my favorite song ever as they pass by Trump Tower in Manhattan for a “Hands Off!” 50501 protest pic.twitter.com/cYHcvELB5F
— Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) April 19, 2025
Protesters denounced what they described as the administration’s ongoing assault on civil liberties, with concerns ranging from immigration enforcement and federal job cuts to economic and environmental policy shifts. Many accused the president of undermining the rule of law.
Outside the White House, demonstrators chanted “shame!” in unison, demanding accountability and calling for the reversal of controversial deportation orders. Among the central demands was the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man deported to El Salvador under disputed circumstances.
“I am worried that the administration would not stop at deporting undocumented immigrants without due process and would imprison and deport US citizens,” said Aaron Burk, who joined the protest in Washington. “Where does it stop?” he asked. Burk said his daughter is transgender and that his greatest concern is the dehumanisation of minority communities under the current administration.
Pretty big anti-Trump protest building up on a windy Saturday afternoon at the Ohio Statehouse – largest crowd I’ve seen here since the protest following the US Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturning the right to abortion in 2022 pic.twitter.com/wtgmcHrHM0
— Karen Kasler (@karenkasler) April 19, 2025
In Jacksonville, hundreds rallied for a range of causes, including LGBTQ rights and environmental protections. Protesters condemned attempts to weaken the Endangered Species Act and expressed frustration over job cuts led by tech mogul Elon Musk, now involved in government restructuring efforts.
“We are losing our country,” said Sara Harvey, a local demonstrator who said she had marched in multiple protests over the past few months. “This isn’t just about one issue — it’s about defending the rights of all of us.”
Saturday’s demonstrations mark a continued wave of dissent aimed at Trump’s second-term agenda, with activists pledging to keep pressure on the administration in the months ahead.
