Utah’s participation in the April 5, 2025 nationwide “Hands Off” protests against Trump and Musk
Utah’s participation in the April 5, 2025 nationwide “Hands Off” protests against Trump and Musk
The planned and coordinated nationwide protests objecting to the Trump administrations unprecedented attempts at inserting the federal government, via Presidential Executive Orders and by unelected billionaire Elon Musk, into the everyday lives of the American people was, by any measure, impressive. Over 1,400 “Hands Off!” mass-action protests were held at state capitols, federal buildings, congressional offices, Social Security’s headquarters, parks and city halls throughout the country – anywhere “we can make sure they hear us,” organizers said. “Hands Off!” demonstrators want “an end to this billionaire power grab.” It is reported that the cumulative crowd sizes nationwide were from in excess of 500,000 to several million.
Utah’s participation, as a deep red state was, not surprisingly, somewhat modest, but certainly not meaningless. It is important to take note of the fact that this day of protest was not sponsored or planned by the Democratic Party (or any other political party), although it is self-evident that the vast majority of the protesters were either Democrats, Independents or disaffected Republicans.
As to the State of Utah, there were reportedly at least 10 protest sites throughout the State recorded with the largest, as expected, in Salt Lake City, where the attendance was estimated at approximately 6,000 – 10,000.
Southern Utah participated, with protests here in Cedar City and also in St George. The St George protest was estimated by the St George News as having approximately 700 participants. The Cedar City protest took place at the corner of Main St and 200 N on Saturday and numbered several dozen protestors. Despite the modest numbers, the Cedar City demonstrators were encouraged by many who drove by and honked their horns in support.
The Cedar City protesters were particularly upset with unelected billionaire Elon Musk’s “slash and burn” approach to the federal government and what impact it will have on programs that local Utah residents, (especially seniors) rely on, such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Musk’s quoted reference to Social Security as a “Ponzi scheme” has caused great concern to seniors who could not survive without their previously earned Social Security benefits.
Members of the Iron County Democrats attended the Cedar City demonstrations, and we wholeheartedly support the “Hands Off” goals of preventing Trump and Elon Musk from running roughshod over the rule of law and the rights of American citizens under the smokescreen of “making America great again.” America was and is already great – we don’t need megalomaniac billionaires, who have nothing in common with the average American, telling us what to do and how we should run our lives. We already have a blueprint for how to do that – the Constitution- and we must resist with all our resources and strength the current efforts by Trump and Musk to weaken if not destroy America’s foundational and most important document.