'Hands Off!' demonstration draws thousands of people to Washington Capitol Campus in Olympia

Chants of “Hands off” and “Lock him up” reverberated throughout the Washington Capitol Campus in Olympia on Saturday afternoon, April 5, as thousands of people gathered to protest immigration and other policies implemented by President Donald Trump in the infancy of his second administration.

The protesters gathered as part of the nationwide “HandsOff!” demonstrations, which took place across the country, including in Los Angeles, San  Francisco, Portland, Seattle and Washington, D.C. “Hands Off!” refers to government programs and rights of the people.

The demonstrations also took aim at billionaire industrialist Elon Musk, who has slashed thousands of federal government jobs in his recently created role with the Department of Government Efficiency.

“Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them,” said “Hands Off!” organizers in a statement ahead of the demonstrations. They’re taking everything they can get their hands on, and daring the world to stop them.”

Locally, in Olympia, protesters carried a variety of handmade signs emblazoned with messages, including “Musk is a Nazi,” Hands Off!” and “Fight Fascism.” The demonstration lasted about two hours.

For more on the “Hands Off!” event, check out the Monday edition of The Journal of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater newsletter or go online at thejoltnews.com.