More than 1,000 people rallied through downtown Iowa City on Saturday despite cold temperatures, cloudy skies and wind, demanding that the government keep their “Hands Off” of what they care most about.
More than 1,200 “Hands Off” anti-Trump protests were scheduled across the country from Chicago to Phoenix on April 5. Organizers emphasized the demonstrations are meant to send a message to President Donald Trump and Elon Musk to keep their “hands off” of social security, Medicare and Medicaid, women’s bodies, LGBTQ+ rights, federal jobs, and research grants.
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Demonstrators shutter downtown Iowa City
Demonstrators swallowed an entire city block for the two-plus hour demonstration, which began with a march through downtown Iowa City. Protesters filled sidewalk space for blocks, with sections of the large crowd breaking out in chants of “Dump Trump,” “F— Trump,” and “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Donald Trump has got to go.”
Hundreds of attendees brought signs to the event that highlighted why they were in attendance, from the libraries to the post office to social security.
One sign read, “Presidents are not kings and should not be dictators.” Another said, “This isn’t about left versus right, it’s about right versus wrong.” A sign with a stylized Smoky the Bear said, “Only you can stop fascist liars.”
Several different speakers shared personal stories about their work and the impact that funding cuts, worker reduction and government interference have had.
The demonstration was the latest in a string of Iowa City protests to voice frustration with the Trump administration, the Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency and Congressional representatives and leaders.
People march around downtown Iowa City during the “Hands Off” Rally Saturday, April 5, 2025.
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‘People are starting to realize’ impact of cuts, speakers say
Johnson County Supervisor and Corridor Community Action Network founder and director Mandi Remington was one of a litany of speakers who shared stories and impassioned words on Saturday afternoon.
“Donald Trump and his billionaire allies are not just coming for our wallets,” Remington said. “They’re coming for our identities, our communities and our very right to exist safely and freely in this country. They know that diversity, equity and inclusion make us stronger. That’s why they’re trying to dismantle it state by state and institution by institution.”
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Remington highlighted the “consequences” that the “dismantling” will have on transgender people, Black and brown children, women and others who fought to be heard, better represented, and feel safer.
“They are all part of a larger, systemic effort to marginalize, overwhelm and weaken our community,” Remington said. “They want us so busy watching one hand that we don’t know what the other is doing. So I’m going to watch one, you’re going to watch the other, they’re going to watch the feet and we’re going to let each other know when it’s time to act.”
Nurse Pat Kearns has cared for veterans at the Iowa City VA Hospital for three decades. He has participated in several recent rallies as the threat of job cuts loomed over his department.
“The VA is the most cost-effective, highest quality and largest health care system in the country,” Kearns said.
Kearns said private insurance has only one job, “to make a profit.”
“Private health insurance cannot compare to the efficiency of Medicare and Medicaid,” Kearns said.
People march during the “Hands Off” Rally Saturday, April 5, 2025 in downtown Iowa City, Iowa.
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He said the care that the VA provides grades well because it is “efficient and focused on care, not profit.”
“The reason that they’re after federal employees and they’re after those public services is because people know the value of it, but they don’t know it until it’s gone,” Kearns said. “They want to get rid of as many of us and break as much of it as fast as they possibly can before we realize what’s going on, but I’ve got news: People are starting to realize that.”
Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City residents protest Trump, Musk during ‘Hands Off’ rally