On Saturday, April 5, there will be nationwide protests against the actions of the Trump administration. These are sponsored by some thirty organizations across the country. The largest one in Vermont will be at the Capitol in Montpelier, from noon-3 p.m. The budget cuts and executive orders being protested will benefit the super-wealthy while harming ordinary people, regardless of party affiliation or ideology.

There will be rallies in large and small cities in blue and red states. There will be Republicans, Independents, Progressives, and Democrats; because people are furious at what is happening to them and their communities. To date 100,000 government employees are being fired all around the country, damaging our economy, cutting our services and inflicting pain to those fired and to the communities they served.

We are all being hurt.

The extent of the actual budget cuts and loss of freedoms is impossible to know, because it keeps shifting, as Trump and Musk get away with as much as they can and backtrack when they must. Medicaid, serving 80 million, is being cut, and with it many health clinics will likely shutter, especially in rural areas. The Affordable Care Act, a lifeline to health for 20 million will be cut. Veterans’ benefits are being cut for those who protected us. Social Security access is harder and there likely will be outright cuts. Free public education is largely protected by the 14th Amendment, yet the Administration is dismantling the Department of Education and cutting school lunches and more. In addition to tax cuts for the rich of $4.5 trillion, tax revenue owed is projected to drop by $400 billion for lack of collection capacity by the IRS. The federal debt will soar. Rights and safeguards against government excess are being systematically taken away: control of our own bodies, freedom of speech, and much more.

Raise your voice with us on April 5.

Come to the main rally at the State Capitol in Montpelier or to others in Brandon, Castleton, Bennington, Wilmington, Brattleboro, Chester, White River, Jericho-Underhill, St. Albans, or Barton.

Join us to show Trump, Vance, and Musk that we will not allow our freedoms to be taken away. If we don’t, the time will come when it is too late.

For more information click: HandsOff2025.com then Find Event and look on the map that appears.

Howard Jennings

Bristol