Thousands of demonstrators gathered across the Finger Lakes, Central New York, and the Southern Tier on Saturday, joining a nationwide wave of “Hands Off!” protests targeting President Donald Trump and sweeping changes implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk.
Rallies in Seneca Falls, Canandaigua, Corning, and Ithaca each drew hundreds of participants, holding signs and chanting slogans opposing immigration raids, government layoffs, and cuts to public services. The demonstrations were part of more than 1,200 events held across the U.S., from Boston to Los Angeles.
Protesters called attention to recent mass firings of federal employees and the rollback of social programs under the newly restructured Department of Government Efficiency—formerly the U.S. Digital Service—which Musk has led since January. Many expressed concern over threats to Social Security, Medicare, and public sector jobs.
Signs reading “Hands Off Our Future” and “No Cuts, No Chaos” filled the streets, echoing messages seen at larger rallies nationwide. Organizers say the protests mark the start of broader resistance to the Trump administration’s second-term agenda.
Photos shared from across the region captured scenes of peaceful but passionate protest, underscoring a growing regional and national backlash to new federal policies under the Trump administration.
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