A powerful wave of activism swept through Boston Common on Saturday as hundreds of protesters gathered at the historic Parkman Bandstand for the “Hands Off!” rally. The event was part of a broader, nationwide movement aimed at defending democracy, civil rights, and social services under threat from the federal administration.
The rally, organized by a coalition of Massachusetts-based advocacy groups, voiced opposition to the current federal leadership—particularly targeting former President Donald Trump, now back in office, and tech billionaire Elon Musk, who is currently leading the Department of Government Efficiency. Demonstrators expressed deep concern over policy decisions that they say are dismantling public institutions and eroding personal freedoms.
Organized Resistance
The event was spearheaded by several local and national advocacy groups, including the Indivisible Mass Coalition, Mass 50501, Swing Blue Alliance, UU Mass Action, and the ACLU of Massachusetts. These groups came together under a unified banner: to stand up for democracy and protect all Bostonians, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, religion, or background.
“The federal administration acts like it owns this country, like it’s above the law,” said one of the organizers. “They’re grabbing everything they can—our rights, our health care, our jobs, our personal data—and daring the rest of us to do something about it.”
A Rally Full of Voices
The rally kicked off at 11:00 a.m. with music and an early round of speeches. By 11:20 a.m., the crowd had begun a peaceful march toward City Hall Plaza, where the main lineup of speakers continued addressing the crowd at 12:30 p.m.
Some of the most notable figures in attendance included:
- Senator Ed Markey
- Representative Ayanna Pressley
- Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll
- Carol Rose, Executive Director of the ACLU of Massachusetts
- Jessica Tang, President of AFT-MA
- Chrissy Lynch, President of the AFL-CIO
- Chastity Bowick, Co-Founder of Trans Resistance
- Jaya Savita, Director of the Asian Pacific Islander Civic Action Network
- Kyle Ariel Bemis, Rising Hearts Athlete Advocate
- Rich Couture, President of the American Federation of Government Employees Council 215
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s powerful words from her recent State of the City address were echoed throughout the day:
“No one tells Boston how to take care of our own—not kings, and not presidents who think they are kings. God save whoever messes with Boston.”
Music and Unity
Boston’s own Dropkick Murphys and vocal group BVOCAL performed during the event, helping to energize and unite the crowd. Their performances added a celebratory tone to a day otherwise filled with serious messages and urgent calls for action.
A National Movement
The Boston rally was one of more than 1,200 “Hands Off!” events planned across all 50 states, including demonstrations in Washington, D.C., at state capitols, and in major cities. Over 150 civil society organizations participated nationwide—ranging from labor unions and civil rights groups to LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans’ groups, and election reform activists.
This growing movement comes in response to policies from the Trump administration that critics say are aggressively downsizing the federal government and undermining essential public services.
Among the major grievances:
- Mass firings of federal workers
- The closure of Social Security Administration offices
- Cuts to federal health care funding
- Reduced protections for transgender individuals
- Immigration crackdowns
- Weakening of environmental and labor regulations
Elon Musk, serving as the head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, has been a lightning rod for controversy. While Musk claims his reforms are saving taxpayers billions, critics argue that his approach is damaging the fabric of public service and disproportionately affects vulnerable communities.
What’s Next?
Despite the energy and turnout, organizers acknowledged that the movement is still building momentum. Previous efforts, like the Women’s March in 2017 and Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, set a high bar for national mobilization. Still, the hope is that Saturday’s rallies will mark a turning point in public engagement.
The White House has yet to comment on the demonstrations. Trump, in past statements, has defended his administration’s policies as being in the best interest of the nation.
For those who marched in Boston and beyond, the message was clear: they are not giving up their rights without a fight.
