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Dozens of South Coast residents, holding signs and bundled against the early chill, boarded the morning commuter train out of New Bedford on Saturday, bound for Boston Common, while 200 more stayed behind, gathering near the Dartmouth Mall — all part of the sprawling, nationwide “Hands Off” mobilization, a coordinated day of protest aimed squarely at the Trump administration.
The Washington Post reported that more than 1,300 “Hands Off” rallies, planned by about 150 groups, took place in all 50 states with large cities such as Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago and Boston attracting thousands of protesters. Aerial footage broadcast live by ABC showed thousands assembled at Boston Common.
CNN, Newsweek and international outlets reported that rallies against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk also took place in major cities across Europe, echoing a broader resistance to the administration.
“There’s clearly a sense, both across the country and in my own community, that something has to be done, that we need to speak out about what’s happening,” said Jerry Fishbein, a union activist from Dartmouth, as he joined fellow demonstrators on the platform.
The local effort was organized by Indivisible SouthEast, with backing from labor unions and faith-based groups.
In Dartmouth, a rotating group of demonstrators lined Route 6 throughout the morning, their signs held high against the steady flow of traffic.
Many brought contributions that reflected personal commitments to the cause. Rachel Gomes brought dozens of handmade “Hands Off!” pins, each customized to represent a different department affected by federal cuts — small tokens of solidarity, passed from hand to hand. Nearby, Tom Poitras, guitarist for the newly formed Anti-Fascist Orchestra, said he chose to lend his support in the way he knows best: through music.
About nine pro-Trump supporters arrived at the rally, wearing red MAGA hats and carrying ‘Massachusetts for Trump’ flags, along with 2024 campaign signs endorsing Trump and Vance. They stood alongside the protesters, engaging in occasional debates before leaving about an hour into the event, around noon.
A protester holds a sign at the “Hands Off” demonstration near the Dartmouth Mall. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light 
A protester forms a heart with her hands as cars pass along Route 6, where the “Hands Off” demonstration was held. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light 
A protester dances at the “Hands Off” demonstration in Dartmouth, wearing both a Putin mask and a Trump costume. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light 
A dog carries a sign at the “Hands Off” demonstration near the Dartmouth Mall. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light 
A protester holds a sign at the “Hands Off” demonstration near the Dartmouth Mall. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light 
A protester holds a sign at the “Hands Off” demonstration near the Dartmouth Mall. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light 
Protesters wave to cars at the “Hands Off” demonstration near the Dartmouth Mall. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light 
The Anti-Fascist Orchestra plays at the “Hands Off” demonstration near the Dartmouth Mall. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light 
A protester holds a sign at the “Hands Off” demonstration near the Dartmouth Mall. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light
Many of the protesters were responding to sweeping federal cuts to science, education, and health care, while others voiced alarm over President Trump’s increasingly aggressive stance on immigration and what they viewed as escalating efforts to stifle dissent and curtail free speech. Their causes varied, but they were united by a shared sense of urgency.
Emma Bruce, a childcare worker, stood in support of the queer community. “What’s happening right now isn’t safe for a lot of people,” she said.
Nearby, Kate Gomes, director of the Holbrook Public Library, voiced frustration over federal cuts to humanities funding. “We lost $12,000 in grant money yesterday,” she said. “There are so many things at stake here that will affect Americans in their everyday lives.”
Donald St. Gelais, waving an American flag, paused to speak. “This is a free country. And I’d like to keep it free,” he said. “I see it slippin’, and I don’t know what we can do — but we’re trying.”
Editor’s note: This story was amended on Monday, April 7, 2025, to add information that a small group of Trump supporters attended the Dartmouth “Hands Off” demonstration on Saturday.
I don’t know when your reporter was at the Dartmouth protest, but I was there from 11:15-1:00 and there were over 500 people on my side of the intersection, spread west on Rt. 6.
There were like 40 people there at that time. Lol. Don’t lie.
That is not a lie. I also got there at 1130 and stayed for an hour. The crowd was well over 500+ people. I did a head count as I walked thru the crowd. Not an exact count and I stopped counting at 500! Great start.
I am happy to see NBL covering this story.
Nope! Over 500!!!!!
I was there from 11:30 to 1:30 and I have said that there were 500 people there. No one is lying. I am a veteran of demonstrations from San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and mostly, New York City. I now live in Padanaram and I intend to attend all that I can.
I beg to differ ! Lol
Yes I was there and I would say about 400 to 500 people
Your reporters left too soon! I was there when the rally began and estimated 200. But it grew and grew. And so did the spirit and determination to fight hatred and celebrate democracy, including the free press that is represented by the good work of the New Bedford Light.
Congratulations on protesting in support of government corruption, fraud and wasteful spending. You really showed the intelligence of our city. SMH.
Trumps and Musk are the real waste, fraud , and corruption. They’ve filled their cabinet with buffoons who are doing real harm to citizens. Everyone wants to get rid of excesses in government but not with a chainsaw
Yhe reporter did indeed leave early. I was there into the afternoon, and the protesters lined Route 6 from 100 feet before Faunce Corner Rd to the east and up to the second entrance t0o the mall to the west of Faunce Corner., and more and more kept arriving. So there must have more like 500 persons. About 20 Trumpsters were gathered together, but left early as they were probably nervous being so outnumbered with antitrump people all around them. It was very uplifting.
I’m sure the Trump Haters are simply protesting because they’re going to lose a lot of the free assistance they’ve been used to in the past 4+ years, they can protest daily for the next two years and nothing will change, as it shouldn’t.
I can’t wait to see and hear their reactions when Republicans in the House & Senate pass legislation requiring able bodied adults 18-55 to work at least 20 hours per week, and pass the bill that will end Obamacare, people work for a living shouldn’t have to pay for the welfare healthcare many people abuse, it’s not the tax payers responsibility to pay healthcare premiums for their families, AND pay to fund the healthcare for others, welfare & SNAP must be changed, and limited to people who are unable to work, not to cover the people who choose not to work!!!
GO TRUMP, GO DOGE!!!
Dartmouth residents don’t have to live in New Bedford. If they did they would have stayed home. No idea about the adverse effects of illegal immigration.
Thank you for covering this event. But at the height of the protest we thought the crowd was between 500 – 600 people.
I’d like to see the footage from that GIANT drone that was observing the protest
I was there. Easily 500 people.
Who was flying the drone? Private citizen? Media? Police?
They should be protesting against queen Healy and the state of emergency she has imposed on the commonwealth
A gathering of people who didn’t vote for Trump anyway. Makes no difference. 3.5 more years to enjoy!
I am so glad that the New Bedford Light covered this protest, at least to some extent. There were three in New Bedford within a few weeks before this one, and unless I missed it, only one was covered. (If I am wrong, I apologize; and will someone please let me know the dates the NBL covered the protests at the Federal Building and at Buttonwood Park?) There will have to be many more national and international protests before Congress returns OUR country to a democracy. I hope the NBL covers all of our local protests.
It’s noteworthy that the pro-Trump comments are submitted under fake names and the people fighting against Trump’s bad policy decisions are willing to put their names out there.
It was a fabulous event and most importantly a peaceful protest. That still is our right in this country and that is one of the reasons we were there—to stand up for our rights
I did speak with some of the Pro-Trump protestors. They were very polite. I was informed that AOC’s family has been collecting SSI for 15 years after her death (proven false by a quick google search), that George Soros is funding the Anti-Trump rallies (where is my payment George?) and that Trump crashed the economy on purpose to lower interest rates because he is playing chess while the rest of the world is playing checkers (time will tell).
Was great. Can’t wait for the next one.
Please let me know how your protests against President Trump have changed anything in anyway, from illegal immigrants, to Medicaid work requirements, DOGE cuts, and eliminating the Federal Department of Education. I’m interested to find out the impact of your numerous protests.
You and your fellow Democrats can demonstrate daily, and criticize Trump all you want, it’s not going to make a difference. The only one reality that will be on display, will be the fact that and that you and your Democrat
The Fairhaven Democratic Town Committee is having a rally at Fairhaven High School near Route 6 and Main Street on Saturday the 19th at Noon. Because of the Boston Marathon, there won’t be one in Boston but Massachusetts cities and towns are encouraged to hold their own rallies on the 19th. Thank you, Fairhaven Democratic Town Committee. And yes, there were around 500 people at the Mall on April 5th. I was there from 11:30 to 2:30 when the heavy rain started.