WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Tens of thousands of people are expected to gather at the National Mall Saturday, April 5, for the “Hands Off” rally.
The rally is one of many happening around the country this weekend, and those attending are protesting the Trump administration, Elon Musk and DOGE.
“They’ve just stoked fear and chaos and created a bunch of people obeying in advance. We’ve seen Black Lives Matter Plaza dug up, we’ve seen so many visual reminders of these attacks,” said Keya Chatterjee.
Chatterjee is with Free DC, a local organization that has been speaking out against attacks by the administration on D.C. home rule.
The group will lead programing at the rally Saturday, focusing specifically on the impacts federal interference is having on the District.
“We don’t have equal representation under the law here in D.C.,” she said. “That means we’re particularly vulnerable to this administration and their whims. We’ve seen an incredible consolidation of power.”
The rally comes as the District is pushing the House to pass the DC Local Funds Act, a funding fix to address a Congressional spending plan that cut D.C.’s budget by $1 billion mid-fiscal year.
“We need to have our budget issue resolved by the Congress and we need it done as soon as possible,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “If our budget doesn’t pass and we have to look at overtime spending for public safety officials that will have an impact on crime.”
Bowser expressed frustration at the administration and DOGE during a public safety press conference Thursday.
“Our concern about DOGE cuts, we want everyone to be treated fairly, and any personnel actions happen legally. And quite frankly, we think the pace of these separations has to stop,” said Bowesr. “The thing that happens when things are fast and not well thought through, the consequences are unintended, but they’re predictable.”
In preparation for the anti-Trump rally, fencing went up around Lafayette Park and the White House rescheduled its Saturday Spring Garden tour.
“This decision has been made out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of all within proximity to public demonstrations planned near the White House on Saturday, April 5, 2025,” said the White House.
The main program for the Hands Off rally begins at noon at Sylvan Theater near the Washington Monument.
Free DC will lead programming prior to that, starting at 11 a.m.
