Walking or driving through downtown Santa Ana, you’ve probably seen large groups of people holding out large signs with a variety of variations of “Hands Off” to them. These protests are not only the way this community, but states around the U.S are responding to the ongoing political changes, rapidly impacting American Society. The organized protests called the “Hands Off!” is a nationwide movement that has been rallying together to bring attention to a pressing issue. The moment calls for a halt and removal of President Donald Trump and Senior Advisor Elon Musk’s involvement in the people's relations. From the cut in funding to social programs to defending the rights of minority groups, these protests continue to pull in a diverse range of concerned individuals.
President Donald Trump, Senior Advisor Elon Musk, and the newest department, Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) established by President Trump in January 2025, have been the main concerns to the future of millions of American residents. Working to reduce spending in public resources, DOGE has already cut contracts for resources like Diverse, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI), Social Security, Climate Change initiatives and the federal workforce.
April 5 and 19 were organized dates where numbers as high as 5 million people came together from all 50 states and over 1,400 locations. In a rally held at Sasscer Park Santa Ana, over 5,000 community individuals marched up and down the streets of Civic Center and 4th street, holding posters with messages such as “Hands Off Social Security” and “Hands Off My Future.”
Political and Data Director for Activate America, an organization that empowers people to advocate and turn to a democratic nation and was one of the many organizations responsible for putting together the April protests, Andre Charles explains his organization's motive in seeing the need for advocacy.
“It was really sort of a bunch of progressive activist organizations coming together to protest the excesses of the Trump administration and their assault on basic democratic principles,” Charles said.
Charles also elaborates on the community needs he sees to be some of the few key principles that motivates people to come together.
“Even people who are not particularly political have, maybe have been very disappointed right when Trump has gotten elected, when they've seen the impact of his election, and you know, when it comes to everything from cutting vital services to really targeting our undocumented neighbors and in some cases, shockingly violating people's due process and sending them to other countries,” Charles said.
Throughout the rising years, there has been an observed uproar in youth involvement in politics. According to Tufts University's Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), youth ages 18-29 believe that the U.S is headed down the wrong track. Observing the drastic, fast-paced political changes occurring throughout their childhood and in their communities, 45% of youth claimed “the country is failing to live up to its promises of freedom and fairness.”
Not knowing where to start, youth may feel discouraged to lead the change they so desperately want to see. Charles shares resources for a quick and easy website that facilitates showing up in your area.
“Mobilize is kind of a centralized location where many different groups are able to publicize the actions and the events and the rallies that they're taking, and it also enables people to sign up for these actions. It really is about adoption. So when you reach a critical mass of organizations that use the same or in this case, the same page, and really try to expand in effectiveness, so there are just a ton of like minded organizations that all use this as one of their primary organizing tools, so I highly encourage people to sign up for those,” Charles said.
Whether it is through signing petitions or attending rallies, Mobilize acts as a central stream for the nation to get involved in nearby communities. This resource can act as an empowering experience for small implementations to lead the way for a bigger change.
As we move forward into times of change and evolving political climates, it is important we speak out for our values and morals. Even getting started in your community can lead to nation-wide change full of support in our neighbors.
