Tens of thousands of protesters filled the streets of Downtown Boston on Saturday afternoon as part of a nationwide demonstration against the Trump Administration and Elon Musk.
The protest, known as Hands Off 2025, was one of hundreds held across the country during a “National Day of Action.” Organizers describe the movement as a “nationwide mobilization to stop the most brazen power grab in modern history.” Boston organizers included Mass Coalition, Mass 50501, Swing Blue Alliance, UU Mass Action, and the ACLU of Massachusetts.
The rally began around 11 a.m. at the Boston Common Bandstand, where crowds gathered beneath overcast skies. Activist street band BABAM energized the crowd before speeches kicked off. Speakers included Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, along with local protest and faith leaders.
After the speaking portion concluded, Sen. Ed Markey led the crowd on a march down Tremont Street to City Hall Plaza, where demonstrators packed the plaza and surrounding streets. There, a second round of speakers addressed the crowd, including U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and ACLU of Massachusetts Executive Director Carol Rose. The rally closed with a performance by Boston’s own Celtic-punk band, The Dropkick Murphys.
See photos captured by Beacon photographers covering the event.
A young girl holding a sign that reads “Fund our schools so I can learn” in the Boston Commons at the Hands Off 2025 protest on Saturday, April, 5, 2025.(Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)Musical activist Robby Roadsteamer sings as he is escorted away from the Boston Common bandstand. Roadsteamer was asked to step down from the bandstand after interrupting preparations for the Hands Off protest Saturday morning. (Madla Walsh/ Beacon Staff)Thousands gather in the Boston Commons at the Hands Off 2025 protest on Saturday, April, 5, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)Sen. Ed Markey leading thousands of protestors down Tremont Street in Boston at the Hands Off 2025 protest on Saturday, April, 5, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)Thousands of people gathered in Boston Common Saturday morning to march to city hall in protest of the Trump Administration. (Madla Walsh/ Beacon Staff)Protesters sit in front of ‘The Embrace’ sculpture during the Hands Off rally. The sculpture was made in honor of the activists Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. (Madla Walsh/ Beacon Staff)Protestors walk shoulder to shoulder into City Hall Plaza in Boston at the Hands Off 2025 protest on Saturday, April, 5, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)A child holds up a “Trump you’re fired” sign while marching down Tremont Street. (Madla Walsh/ Beacon Staff)A person holds a sign that reads “Of the people, By the People, For the People” during the Hands Off 2025 protest in the Boston Commons on Saturday, April, 5, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)Ken Casey of the Dropkick Murphys Band performing at the Hands Off 2025 protest in City Hall Plaza in Boston on Saturday, April, 5, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)Thousands gather in City Hall Plaza in Boston at the Hands Off 2025 protest on Saturday, April, 5, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley greeting rally goers after her speech at the Hands Off 2025 protest on Saturday, April, 5, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)Thousands gather in Boston at the Hands Off 2025 protest on Saturday, April, 5, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)A person holds up a sign that reads “No Kings! No Tyranny!” in City Hall Plaza in Boston at the Hands Off 2025 protest on Saturday, April, 5, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)A woman stands in front of Boston City Hall with a sign saying “We the people are wicked pissed.” (Madla Walsh/ Beacon Staff)Thousands gather in City Hall Plaza in Boston at the Hands Off 2025 protest on Saturday, April, 5, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)
Arthur Mansavage (he/him) is a junior Journalism major from Carmel, Indiana. Currently he serves as the Photography Editor and Audience Development Editor. As the Photo Editor he oversees all photo content for online and in-print and as the Audience Development Editor he oversees and manages reader experience and engagement.
Madla Walsh (she/her) is a junior from Barrington, New Hampshire. She is a journalism major and double photography and creative writing minor. She is a staff photographer for the Beacon. In her free time she enjoys writing, hiking, and more photography.
