BEND, Ore. — On Saturday, more than 1,000 protesters, possibly as many as 2,000, flooded the streets of downtown Bend in one of over 1,200 rallies held across the nation. These demonstrations were organized to voice strong opposition to the policies of President Donald Trump and White House adviser Elon Musk, drawing participants from all walks of life and spanning all 50 states.
The Bend protest, which was the largest of several held in Central Oregon, mirrored similar actions that took place in cities across the country, from Anchorage to Midtown Manhattan. In Central Oregon, smaller rallies took place in Sisters, Redmond, Prineville, La Pine, and Madras, with estimates ranging from 400 to 800 attendees in each location. Protesters took to the streets with signs condemning the administration’s policies on issues such as immigration, social security, and government downsizing.
“We’re out here as Americans, not as partisans. We’re doing this for everyone,” said Vashti Eppler, a Prineville protester, emphasizing the unity of the movement. “People need to realize that the hurt from these policies is going to touch everyone at some point.”
The “Hands Off!” demonstrations, coordinated by over 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, labor unions, LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans, and elections activists, rallied around a common cause. The protesters expressed anger over Trump’s administration’s moves to fire thousands of federal workers, close Social Security Administration offices, scale back protections for transgender individuals, and deport immigrants. In addition, many voiced concerns about the broader economic impact of Trump’s policies, particularly following the recent announcement of reciprocal tariffs that sent shockwaves through the stock market.
“I’ve lost 20% of my portfolio in the last few weeks, and I’m just months away from retirement,” said Kirsten Evensen at the Prineville rally. “I’m worried I won’t have Social Security or Medicare, and my retirement savings are vanishing.”
A key figure drawing ire from protesters was Elon Musk, who serves as an adviser to Trump and heads the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. Musk, also the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been instrumental in promoting the downsizing of federal programs and agencies, claiming that his efforts would save taxpayers billions. However, many protesters see Musk’s policies as a threat to vital government programs and services that millions of Americans rely on.
Veterans, like Ken Lawler from Prineville, voiced particular concerns about the future of military benefits and social programs. “I’ve never been to a protest before, but this is different,” Lawler said, echoing the anxiety felt by many in attendance. “I’m afraid the next cuts will come to military and Social Security benefits. These are the things that keep people like me afloat.”
In cities like Seattle, Portland, and Los Angeles, protesters marched with signs reading “Fight the Oligarchy” and chanting against the perceived corporate influence in government. In Redmond, roughly 400 to 500 demonstrators gathered, and while Trump supporters showed up in trucks and SUVs waving flags, the protest remained peaceful.
The White House, in response to the nationwide demonstrations, issued a statement defending the administration’s position. “President Trump’s stance is clear: he will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries,” the statement read. “Meanwhile, the Democrats’ stance is giving benefits to illegal aliens, which will bankrupt these programs and crush American seniors.”
Despite the administration’s pushback, Saturday’s protests marked a significant moment in the ongoing opposition to Trump and Musk. The size and scope of the rallies echoed past movements, such as the Women’s March in 2017 and the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, but the “Hands Off!” demonstrations took on a unique character, with a broad coalition of activists uniting against what they see as harmful policies that could disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
As the protests unfolded across the country, from small towns to major cities, the message was clear: Americans are united in their fight against government cuts, the dismantling of essential services, and the erosion of social safety nets. The rallies, which were largely peaceful with no immediate reports of arrests, underscored the growing resistance to the Trump administration’s agenda.
