You may have heard about national protests that have popped up all over the country with the organization 50501
(50 protests 50 states 1 movement); with the intent to protect immigrants, government agencies, democracy, and education along with countless other issues.
What you may not know is that hundreds of these protests have been taking place 15 miles away from Waltham
High School.
“Everything is art. Everything is politics.”
-Ai WeiWei
As I was driving into downtown Boston on April 5th it was a gloomy day with rain expected yet the Boston people were out doing their daily business, running, buying groceries, and walking dogs. As I passed the Copley T station dozens of people were getting off holding signs with countless different messages. As I got closer and closer to the common, the crowds of people with signs were getting more dense as well as the traffic.
April 5th was part of a nationwide movement of protecting democracy, resisting autocracy and anti-Trump and Musk. Protests were held in Oregon, Connecticut, Texas, DC, and practically every place where Americans are angry. Even Waltham held a small-scale protest that took place on the corner of Main street and Moody street as a part of the Hands Off initiative.
The following is a series of photos taken on April 5th in Boston at the biggest protest I have participated in and the biggest anti-trump protest in Boston since his inauguration
“Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented”
– Elie Wiesel
Hands Off is a broad movement. One of the organizers, Third Act, describes the message as “Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them. They’re grabbing everything they can, and it’s up to us to push back.” Hands Off is what the American people care about.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
– Martin Niemöller
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
