Washington (United States), 5 Apr (LaPresse/AP) – Opponents of President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk are scheduled to rally across the United States today to protest the administration's measures on government downsizing, the economy, human rights and other issues. More than 1,200 demonstrations have been planned under the slogan ‘Hands Off!’ by more than 150 groups, including civil rights organisations, unions, Lbgtq+ supporters, veterans, and fair elections activists. Protests are planned on the National Mall in Washington, in state capitals and other locations in all 50 US states. The White House did not respond to an email seeking comment on the protests. The protesters are criticising the Trump administration's moves to lay off thousands of federal employees, close Social Security Administration branch offices, effectively shut down entire agencies, deport immigrants, reduce protections for transgender people, and cut federal funding for health programmes. Since the new administration took power, activists have repeatedly organised nationwide demonstrations against Trump or Musk. But the opposition movement has yet to produce a mass mobilisation like the 2017 Women's March, which brought thousands of women to Washington D.C. after Trump's first inauguration, or the Black Lives Matter demonstrations that erupted in several cities after the killing of George Floyd in 2020.
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