Global 'Hands Off' Protest Takes Place in Berlin Against Threats to Democracy from Trump and Musk

On Saturday, a demonstration took place in Berlin, drawing attention to what participants described as attacks on democracy by the U.S. President Donald Trump and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. Organized by the 'Hands Off' movement, the protest was held in front of the U.S. Embassy located at Behrenstraße 74 in the central district of Mitte.

The gathering comes ten weeks after Trump assumed the presidency, with demonstrators voicing their concerns over his perceived adversarial stance toward democratic principles, individual freedoms, and civil rights. Participants included many American expatriates living in Germany, who expressed their commitment to raising awareness about the ongoing political turmoil in the United States.

According to the organizers, the demonstration aimed to highlight the detrimental impact of Trump's policies on various aspects of American life, including health care, employment, and fundamental rights. The event in Berlin was part of a larger series of protests occurring simultaneously across the globe, as well as in various major cities in the United States.

In Washington, D.C., and numerous other American cities, the protest was expected to attract tens of thousands of participants, with the largest rally scheduled to take place in the nation's capital. This mobilization marks one of the significant public responses to the sweeping changes enacted by the Trump administration.

Recent months have seen limited large-scale protests against the policies being implemented by the Trump administration, which have sparked widespread debate and controversy. In late March, significant demonstrations emerged in response to actions taken by Musk, particularly concerning severe budget cuts and job reductions affecting government agencies.

Many scientists and professionals have voiced their concerns about the administration's science-related policies, leading to protests that advocate for the importance of research and empirical evidence in policy-making. As these protests evolve, they reflect a growing sentiment among various sectors of society that seek to safeguard democratic values and institutional integrity.

The Berlin protest not only underscores the international consequences of U.S. politics but also demonstrates a collective resolve among citizens to advocate for the preservation of democratic norms both domestically and abroad.