Northern Arizona community declares “Hands Off” to Trump and Musk
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — More than 2500 Northern Arizona residents had one simple message for President Trump and Elon Musk: keep your hands off the programs that middle class families rely on. They gathered in Flagstaff Saturday (April 5, 2025) to protest against the administration’s overreach.
Local co-sponsors were: 50501, AZ LD7 Democrats, Arizona List, AZPAC, AZ Students Association, Catch Fire, Coconino County Democratic Party, Indivisible Northern Arizona, and Women’s March Flagstaff.
Sherrie Smith said, “The Trump regime is killing our democracy. We have to be vocal and visible in our disapproval. We must stand up for those he is trampling, disappearing and cheating. I will continue to engage in protest.”
The events were protesting the Trump Administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, which has upended the way the federal government operates and has jeopardized essential services that millions of Americans rely on.
“Flagstaff had a massive turnout,” Shapiro said. “Attendees said they were grateful for the camaraderie with like-minded members of the community, and the opportunity to express their anger, frustration and outrage at Trump and Musk. There were innumerable creative signs, and some interesting costumes as well.”
As part of more than 30 events across Arizona and 1,400 across the country on April 5th, organizers had hoped to send a strong message. But Trump and Musk weren’t their only audience members: they wanted to activate disengaged voters and show them that they’re not alone.
The Hands Off protest was the largest single day action nationwide since Donald Trump’s second inauguration in January. More than 150 organizations, labor unions, civil rights groups, pro-democracy organizations, and veterans groups organized the rallies nationwide.
