Ann Arbor joins nationwide ‘Hands Off!’ rally

A sizable crowd gathered outside the Washtenaw County Learning Resource Center to make their voices heard. Zachary Cleveland | The Washtenaw Voice

Zachary Cleveland | Contributor 

Upwards of 1,500 Washtenaw County residents gathered under a chilly grey sky on April 5 to add their voices to protests held in cities and towns across the nation. 

According to the Associated Press, more than 1,200 demonstrations were held on the same day, organized by a broad coalition of groups, including civil rights organizations, LGBTQ advocacy groups and labor unions. 

In Ann Arbor, demonstrators raised their signs high into the whipping wind, saying “Hands Off!” to what they see as the executive overreach of  Donald Trump’s administration and federal workforce cuts of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. 

“I’m here because they’re trying to steal my Medicare, and I need it because I’ve been paying into it my whole life,” said Lisa Bashaert, a protester. “My spouse is about to retire, and we’re gonna be living on a fixed income.” Basharet said it’s outrageous that the wealthiest people in the world are stealing money from everyday people. 

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid has cut 300 jobs. Reported cuts so far have focused on the agency’s Office of Minority Health, Office of Equal Rights and Opportunity as well as the Office of Program Operations & Local Engagement, according to the Associated Press.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell addresses the crowd outside the Washtenaw County Learning Resource Center before the protesters set out to march. Zachary Cleveland | The Washtenaw Voice

Nearly 2,000 Washtenaw County residents lined Washtenaw Ave. with signs expressing dissatisfaction with the current administration’s policies and actions. Zachary Cleveland | The Washtenaw Voice

A retired Center for Disease Control employee wields a sign that said, “Keep your tiny hands off my democracy.” Zachary Cleveland | The Washtenaw Voice

A protester holds a sign claiming that “Trump thinks the Edmund Fitzgerald is a steakhouse!” Zachary Cleveland | The Washtenaw Voice

Two protest marshals lead a line of protesters out to Washtenaw Ave. Zachary Cleveland | The Washtenaw Voice

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