Communities throughout the Northland are taking part in a nationwide protest known as ‘Hands Off!’ Day of Action. The movement involves Americans across the country by marching, rallying, but also peacefully protesting in response to the Trump Administration’s actions. Duluth residents rallied together at the Duluth City Hall Plaza in solidarity.

Jordon Johnson, one of the organizers, says grassroots mobilization efforts like this demonstration, help give a voice to people who feel helpless.

“It’s really difficult to live in uncertainty, especially when people’s lives are on the line. This is a life and death situation for many folks. We’re going to see people potentially lose housing, they’ve even lost their jobs,” Johnson said. “It’s really important to think around. It’s not just one or the other. Every person is impacted in some respect.”

Christina Maki, is one of many Duluth residents who rallied together. She says with significant cuts made to the Department of Education and DEI programs it’ll also make more problems for people struggling with disabilities.

“I do see the open and fairness nature of justice being a priority, and it’s eroded in the place of ad hominem reactions to one another,” Maki said. “It’s just like the system is very hard for neurodivergence to even understand. We have a visceral reaction to injustice, and this ain’t right.”

Nancy Henderson Korpi, a resident from Cotton, says she and residents from Biwabik also joined the protest,. She shared her concerns about the cuts made to federal programs.

“We want Medicare, Medicaid, we want all of this. We need to stand up for the veterans and for all the federal workers that are being fired for no reason,” Henderson Korpi said. “I feel strongly that when you look at the departments, instead of just going in and tearing it to shreds, you look at where we can cut costs. Yes, maybe some people have to be laid off, but we look at it from that perspective of what makes sense and how can we cut back in a way that’s sensible. We have to invest in our future. Education is vital to that. People need to learn history and critical thinking. Public education needs to be just open to all.”

Duluth City Council President Terese Tomanek, Rep. Liish Kozlowski and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison attended the rally. Attorney General Ellison and Rep. Kozlowski also attended a public forum at Denfeld where they continued to hear the frustrations Duluthians.

“Nobody, not even a president, can put himself above the law and just try to run the country with executive orders.” Ellison said. “If he wants to do this stuff, tell him to introduce a bill in Congress. But he doesn’t want to introduce a bill in Congress, because he knows he won’t win that way. He cannot put himself above the law. So we are winning in court because we’re going by the law. But we’re gonna need more than that. We’re gonna need citizens coming out, raising their voices.”

One of the core principles behind ‘Hands Off!’ events is a commitment to nonviolent action. All of participants also seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with their values.

There is another protest happening Saturday April 5th by the Duluth 50501 Movement. That’s going on from 4pm-6pm on Superior Street and Lake Avenue. The 50501 mission is 50 protests, 50 states, and 1 movement. They seek to remove corrupt politicians from office, reverse the damages made, and reclaim democracy.