(The Center Square) – “This is a beautiful, coordinated action to take back our country and to show Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and these Republicans who are just spineless in this moment that we intend to fight back against unelected billionaires,” U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said to roughly 25,000 demonstrators at a Saturday protest in Seattle.
Jayapal was one of 21 speakers at the Seattle rally, which itself was one of more than 1,300 demonstrations as part of the nationwide “Hands Off!” event by civil rights organizations, labor unions, LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans and other activists.
Former Gov. Jay Inslee also spoke at the rally.
Jayapal herself led multiple chants at the event.
The protests targeted ongoing federal policies, including immigration crackdowns, agency budget cuts, and Musk’s inclusion in efforts to downsize the federal government.
Demonstrators waved flags and raised signs in support of Palestine, LGBTQ+ rights, Ukraine and Canada.
The crowd joined in on chants including “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Trump and Musk have got to go!” “Stand up and fight back!” and “Hands off!”
Demonstrators in Seattle were given more challenging chants led by Jayapal: “Ain’t no power like the power of the people, and the power of the people won’t stop!”
Signs flooded the Seattle Center and Mercer Street, with numerous messages aimed at Trump and Musk. Notable signs include “Veto the Cheeto,” “I’ve seen better cabinets at Ikea,” and an elaborate sign depicting Trump inserting his head up his own posterior.
A slew of executive orders and major cuts to federal departments by the Trump administration since January have drawn the ire of many Seattleites, as has Musk’s status as a “special government employee” – meaning his appointment is not to exceed 130 days – who is the face of cutting costs across the federal government.
On immigration, Seattle has been a target of the Trump administration, which has begun implementing federal policies that target jurisdictions limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, often referred to as “sanctuary cities.”
Washington has also been impacted by other federal actions.
Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown has taken part in 11 lawsuits against the Trump administration so far, related to federal oversight of state elections in the U.S., imposing funding cuts and delays on medical and public health research, and dismantling the federal agency charged with supporting the nation’s libraries, among others.
As the Trump administration continues its effort to downsize the federal government – with Musk’s help – some Washington political leaders remains staunch in their opposition.
“By Musk, we will not be bought,” Inslee said in closing out the rally. “By Trump, we will not be bullied.”
