'Hands Off': Europeans Protest Trump's Policies
On April 5, demonstrators gathered in prominent European cities such as London, Paris, Berlin, and Lisbon to support the U.S. "Hands Off" movement. They protested against the policies of the Trump administration, focusing particularly on the "reciprocal tariffs."
TroibNews 
On April 5, demonstrators in major European cities such as London, Paris, Berlin, and Lisbon joined the U.S. "Hands Off" movement to voice their opposition to the Trump administration's policies, particularly concerning the "reciprocal tariffs."
These tariffs include a 10-percent "minimum baseline tariff" on all imports and a customized "individualized reciprocal higher tariff" targeting countries and regions where the U.S. has significant trade deficits. This policy has contributed to a notable drop in global stock markets and has raised considerable alarm among economists and citizens alike.
In London, hundreds of protesters, including members of the UK branch of Democrats Abroad, gathered in Trafalgar Square to show their support for the movement. Demonstrators carried signs with messages such as "No to MAGA hate," "Greenland is Not For Sale," and "Hate Will Never Make America Great." On social media, DAUK stated: "We must continue to show up and protest for our rights, our communities in the U.S., our world, and for a better future."
Among the attendees was a 37-year-old woman from Philadelphia, who preferred to remain anonymous and was adorned with an American flag handed down from her grandfather, a World War II veteran. She voiced her discontent, describing the "absolute, mind-blowing insipidness" of Trump's presidency. "I don't want to alienate the rest of the world. It's not going to be useful for anyone in the long run. I have friends in the United States who are marching in protest, and I wanted to march with them in solidarity," she said.
In Lisbon, several hundred Americans rallied to advocate for civil liberties and freedom of expression. This event, organized by Americans residing in Portugal, featured slogans like "Hands Off the Constitution" and "What America Needs, Portugal Knows."
Caryl Hallberg, 73, a lifelong activist and registered Democrat who relocated to Portugal after four years of traveling across Europe, was among the demonstrators. She expressed her worries about pension cuts that have reportedly impacted some American retirees in Portugal. Hallberg also critiqued Trump's economic policies, highlighting the consequences of tariffs and a faltering U.S. dollar. "He's trying to take away rights on every level," she remarked.
Another participant, Jaiy Conboy, 72, an academic connected with Portuguese universities and married to a Portuguese citizen, performed an original protest song titled "I Will Not Be Silent." He condemned Trump's policy, labeling it as "causing chaos" and "all about power."
In Paris, approximately 200 individuals gathered at Place de la République, where speakers criticized Trump while holding signs saying "Resist the Tyrant" and "Rule of Law." One demonstrator performed Bob Dylan's "Masters of War."
Demonstrations were also held in Berlin and Frankfurt, Germany. In Berlin, protesters gathered outside a Tesla showroom and the U.S. embassy, expressing their dissatisfaction with both Trump and Elon Musk. Some attendees held signs advocating for "an end to the chaos" in the United States.
Before these European rallies, protests erupted throughout the United States in response to the contentious policies implemented by the Trump administration regarding the economy, immigration, and human rights since January. This coordinated effort, organized by a coalition of over 150 groups including civil rights organizations, labor unions, and veterans' associations, resulted in more than 1,400 protests occurring nationwide.
Anna Muller contributed to this article for TROIB News
These tariffs include a 10-percent "minimum baseline tariff" on all imports and a customized "individualized reciprocal higher tariff" targeting countries and regions where the U.S. has significant trade deficits. This policy has contributed to a notable drop in global stock markets and has raised considerable alarm among economists and citizens alike.
In London, hundreds of protesters, including members of the UK branch of Democrats Abroad, gathered in Trafalgar Square to show their support for the movement. Demonstrators carried signs with messages such as "No to MAGA hate," "Greenland is Not For Sale," and "Hate Will Never Make America Great." On social media, DAUK stated: "We must continue to show up and protest for our rights, our communities in the U.S., our world, and for a better future."
Among the attendees was a 37-year-old woman from Philadelphia, who preferred to remain anonymous and was adorned with an American flag handed down from her grandfather, a World War II veteran. She voiced her discontent, describing the "absolute, mind-blowing insipidness" of Trump's presidency. "I don't want to alienate the rest of the world. It's not going to be useful for anyone in the long run. I have friends in the United States who are marching in protest, and I wanted to march with them in solidarity," she said.
In Lisbon, several hundred Americans rallied to advocate for civil liberties and freedom of expression. This event, organized by Americans residing in Portugal, featured slogans like "Hands Off the Constitution" and "What America Needs, Portugal Knows."
Caryl Hallberg, 73, a lifelong activist and registered Democrat who relocated to Portugal after four years of traveling across Europe, was among the demonstrators. She expressed her worries about pension cuts that have reportedly impacted some American retirees in Portugal. Hallberg also critiqued Trump's economic policies, highlighting the consequences of tariffs and a faltering U.S. dollar. "He's trying to take away rights on every level," she remarked.
Another participant, Jaiy Conboy, 72, an academic connected with Portuguese universities and married to a Portuguese citizen, performed an original protest song titled "I Will Not Be Silent." He condemned Trump's policy, labeling it as "causing chaos" and "all about power."
In Paris, approximately 200 individuals gathered at Place de la République, where speakers criticized Trump while holding signs saying "Resist the Tyrant" and "Rule of Law." One demonstrator performed Bob Dylan's "Masters of War."
Demonstrations were also held in Berlin and Frankfurt, Germany. In Berlin, protesters gathered outside a Tesla showroom and the U.S. embassy, expressing their dissatisfaction with both Trump and Elon Musk. Some attendees held signs advocating for "an end to the chaos" in the United States.
Before these European rallies, protests erupted throughout the United States in response to the contentious policies implemented by the Trump administration regarding the economy, immigration, and human rights since January. This coordinated effort, organized by a coalition of over 150 groups including civil rights organizations, labor unions, and veterans' associations, resulted in more than 1,400 protests occurring nationwide.
Anna Muller contributed to this article for TROIB News
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