University of Maryland College Democrats participate in “Hands Off” protest in Washington, D.C.
The University of Maryland’s College Democrats club joined thousands of demonstrators on Saturday at the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. for the “Hands Off” protest to express their anger and dissatisfaction with the policies set by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.
According to CNN, over 1,400 protests occurred nationwide against the numerous executive orders of Trump along with the growing role billionaires like Musk have on governmental decisions. In D.C. many people facing the capital building chanted, “This is what democracy looks like,” and “Impeach Trump” with signs that read “I’m upset” and “Stop the Coup”.
Since his inauguration, Trump has signed over 100 executive orders that restrict travel for visa holders, target the LGBTQ+ community and aim to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Senior public policy major Eli Brennan and sophomore double major in American studies and public policy Mace Viemeister, co-presidents of this university’s College Democrats, went to D.C. with their organization to voice their anger toward the Trump administration.
“This is a massive series of protests happening across the country. It’s where people will be fighting for their democracy and standing up against the oligarchy that’s inhabiting the White House. We want to be there,” Brennan said.
Viemeister added, “a lot of our club members have been rightfully feeling disheartened and I think that we’re angry that no one’s doing anything about it, so we’re gonna do something about it.”
Brennan passionately talked about how Musk, businessman and recent adviser to the president, needs to be fired and the importance of fighting for a government that the people want.
University of Maryland College Democrats’ director of operations, Michael DeWeaver, a sophomore public policy major agreed, stating, “the last thing we want to do is be complacent, because that’s how we just get trampled on.”
A 37 year-old Washington D.C. resident and federal employee, who requested anonymity due to fears of employment retaliation, brought her seven and four year old kids to the demonstration. keep them informed on things they may hear at school and on the news. Her kids have attended protests with her since before they could walk.
“I feel like they will remember how many people are here, what they heard,” she said on the importance of protesting with her kids. “Unfortunately, if anything happens to my job, they’ll understand that all these people were here to support us too and I think it helps emphasize the importance of community.”
She protested for the federal government that she’s spent her career working for and for a better future for her kids saying she was “terrified for what the trajectory of our democracy is turning into.”
When asked about the government layoffs, the mother said everyone in her office, agency and department were impacted.
“There’s tons of fear,” she said. “It’s very demoralizing, but at the same time a lot of the federal workers that I work with are still holding firm to executing the mission while they can.”
Ashley Smith, Capital Pride Alliance–the organization that hosts WorldPride, said he felt the impact of the Trump administration both as a person of color and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
“If the [current] administration has its full rights and their vision of everything, I would be kicked out of this country, just like so many other Black and brown people,” he said. “Every single step that [the government is] trying to do, they’re constantly trying to attack our trans siblings.”
While Smith is concerned about the future of the LGBTQ+ community, he says he isn’t fearful.
“Fear is not the word that I’m going to use. Are we aware and are there going to be some things that we need to be concerned with? Yes, absolutely,” he said. “We’re going to stand up for our rights, and we stand up for ourselves.”