More than 4,000 people filled Forman Park in downtown Syracuse on Saturday, joining millions nationwide for the Hands Off! National Day of Action — a protest movement opposing recent executive orders and policy changes under President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
Unlike prior protests that drew hundreds in late March over issues like healthcare cuts, Saturday’s rally brought thousands.
The protest was diverse, with attendees arriving for a wide range of reasons.
“I do not like what’s happening to our country under the Trump administration,” said Kathy Morton, holding a sign that read: “Scientific research prevents truth decay.”
She elaborated, “They’re cutting back on so many programs, and science is one of them. They have such a narrow-minded vision. But science opens us up to more. When we are open to what's happening in science, we're able to see the truth more clearly.”
Morton’s sign had another message, too: “Our national parks are not for sale.”
“They’re one of the best ideas America’s ever had,” she said. “Nature for the people. That’s where we are grounded. That’s where we find peace.”
Supporting another cause, Drew Utton came in support of workers. “Labor unions created the middle class in this country,” Utton said.
He came to oppose President Trump’s recent executive order to end collective bargaining. “The strength we have as people of more modest means, is banding together,” Utton continued.
When asked why she came to the rally, Lillian Bombria said, “I’m here for all the reasons,” her voice full of emotion, as she continued, “trans rights, people of color rights, women, children, education,” she paused, “everything is at risk.”
Paige Baldwin chimed in, “Because individuality is what makes people beautiful.” She looked at the united crowd in front of her, “I can’t stand that there are people who don’t see that.”
For some, like Melissa Gervais, the reasons for rallying were as diverse as the crowd chanting alongside her.
“The list is too long. I couldn’t pick one thing to be mad about. It’s all infuriating,” she said, holding a sign that read: “I’m not a paid actor. I’m an outraged citizen.” Her placard was in reference to previous claims by Elon Musk and other conservative figures that protests like these were being “astroturfed,” a term used to suggest something is fake.
Protestors described the energy of the rally as overwhelmingly positive — and at times emotional.
“When I first got here, I kind of got a little teary-eyed,” Gervais said. “When you’re at home watching TV, you just see all the terrible things that are happening and it’s hard to know how to fight back. But thousands of people here together, marching, singing, chanting — it’s really positive.”
There were no podiums with politicians making promises to the crowd. They stood alongside ordinary citizens listening and watching in awe.
United States Congressman John Mannion represents Syracuse and parts of Central New York.
He acknowledged the gravity of the situation and its significance to both Central New Yorkers and Americans alike.
“I'm here because people are very frustrated. These are real patriots who know that the Constitution was written a long time ago and it needs to be followed,” Mannion exclaimed.
He said congress is watching Donald Trump and his staff, and prepared to constitutionally fight all that violates federal law. Knowing massive rallies were simultaneously happening all over the country confirmed for him that Americans see it as a crisis of morality.
“They understand right from wrong and what they're seeing is a trampling on the Constitution, a lack of a balance of power and people are not just frustrated, they're active,” Mannion said.
Inspired by the turnout, Bo Drazda said the future of the nation depends on outrage and public protest.
“It's up to us to save our democracy, put pressure on your lawmakers. We have to take to the streets,” Drazda said.
Before the rally was just a memory, Drazda wanted demonstrators to leave with one message.
“Regular everyday Americans – and that includes every single kind and color of person – your voice matters, and today proved that.”
To that end, 50501, the chief organizer of the worldwide Hands Off Rally, said it is coordinating the next worldwide rally on April 19. The organization’s name stands for 50 States, 50 Protests, 1 day. Its goal is to have 3.5 percent of Americans show up at rally’s in their communities. In Syracuse, that would mean another thousand on top of the 4,000 that rallied Saturday.
On its website, 50501 explained that figure amounts to more than 11 million people nationwide, the amount it claimed is the necessary threshold for “sustained resistance in order to make a difference.”
