Richmond protesters join nationwide ‘Hands Off!’ rally against Trump, Elon Musk

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Thousands of people gathered in Richmond on Saturday to protest against President Donald Trump and his senior advisor Elon Musk. The demonstration was part of a nationwide string of protests called the 'Hands Off!' rallies, which took place in nearly all fifty states.

Demonstrators first gathered at Capitol Square on Saturday, April 5, before the protest transformed into a march to Monroe Park. A sea of people could be seen marching down North 9th Street as they chanted "Trump must go."

April 5 "Hands Off!" rally in Richmond. (Photo: 8News)

This was just one of thousands of planned protests that happened nationwide on Saturday. It comes in response to what organizers described as an attack on American rights and freedoms.

"I ask you to have the courage to look this system in the eye and say 'Your time is up,'" said one of the many activists who stood at the podium to address the massive crowd.

April 5 "Hands Off!" rally in Richmond. (Photo: 8News)

Protesters voiced a number of concerns, criticizing federal funding cuts and government downsizing and advocating for protections for the LGBTQ+ community -- while also demanding an end to the Trump administration.

Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield) joined protestors, echoing many of those remarks.

"Donald Trump and Elon Musk are determined to dismantle our federal government and rule of law," Hashmi said.

April 5 "Hands Off!" rally in Richmond. (Photo: 8News)

Many Republican leaders have voiced support for the Trump administration's direction, with Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) commending the President on the way his policies are being carried out.

"At the end of the day, he told everybody what he was going to be doing -- and now he's been executing with great pace," Youngkin previously told 8News.

Demonstrators like Lisa Slate said the large turnout did not come as a surprise.

"There are so many people in this country that are opposed to having all of our rights and our democracy taken away from us, and the billionaires taking over our government -- and we're not going to stand for it," Slate said.

As demonstrations continue to unfold nationwide, protesters locally say they’ll keep uniting to fight for change.