By Robert Garrison | The Associated Press via Denver7
WASHINGTON — Opponents of President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk rallied across Colorado and the country Saturday to protest the administration’s actions on government downsizing, the economy, human rights and other issues.
Nationally, more than 1,200 “Hands Off!” demonstrations took place, organized by more than 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, labor unions, LBGTQ+ advocates, veterans and elections activists. In Colorado, thousands gathered at several locations across the state, including on the steps of the Colorado State Capitol.
Protesters also demonstrated in Arvada, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Loveland. They also took place at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and other locations in all 50 states.
Protesters are assailing the Trump administration’s moves to fire thousands of federal workers, close Social Security Administration field offices, effectively shutter entire agencies, deport immigrants, scale back protections for transgender people and cut federal funding for health programs.
Musk, a Trump adviser who owns Tesla, SpaceX and the social media platform X, has played a key role in government downsizing as the head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. He says he is saving taxpayers billions of dollars.
Asked about the protests, the White House said in a statement that “President Trump’s position is clear: he will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the Democrats’ stance is giving Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare benefits to illegal aliens, which will bankrupt these programs and crush American seniors.”