On April 5, major European cities including London, Paris, Berlin, and Lisbon lit up with energy as demonstrators rallied under the 'Hands Off' banner to protest Trump's tariff policies. Protesters decried the 10-percent minimum baseline tariff and additional reciprocal levies on countries and regions with the largest U.S. trade deficits, warning that such measures are fueling global market turbulence.
In London, hundreds converged at Trafalgar Square, brandishing signs with bold messages like "No to MAGA hate," "Greenland is Not For Sale," and "Hate Will Never Make America Great." Members of Democrats Abroad (DAUK) urged everyone to stand up for their rights and communities, echoing a call for a brighter, more just future on social media 😊.
Over in Lisbon, several hundred Americans and local activists took to the streets, chanting slogans such as "Hands Off the Constitution" and "What America Needs, Portugal Knows." Longtime activist Caryl Hallberg expressed concern over pension cuts affecting American retirees in Portugal, while academic Jaiy Conboy delivered a moving performance of his original protest song "I Will Not Be Silent," condemning what he described as a policy-driven chaos centered on power.
In Paris, around 200 demonstrators gathered at Place de la République, delivering impassioned speeches and even performing Bob Dylan's "Masters of War." Similar calls for change resonated in Berlin and Frankfurt, where protesters assembled outside a Tesla showroom and the U.S. embassy, denouncing what they see as an unsustainable path under Trump’s policies.
These European rallies mirror the nationwide protests in the U.S., where over 1,400 demonstrations—organized by a coalition of more than 150 groups—have erupted in response to policies on the economy, immigration, and human rights. In a rapidly changing world, the spirited 'Hands Off' movement is a reminder that when people unite, their voices can drive a call for justice and a fairer future 🌍.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
