April 5 was a day for rallies across America.
More than 1300 “Hands Off” protests took place throughout the country on Saturday, including dozens here in Georgia.
The gatherings and marches were organized by a coalition of human rights organizations and unions as well as women’s and veterans’ groups and progressive political committees such as Indivisible to express concern about events after the inauguration of President Donald Trump on Jan. 20, 2025 — including mass firings of federal workers, the dissolution of federal agencies and the involvement of billionaire Elon Musk.
Across Georgia, people gathered to make their voices heard about job layoffs, potential cuts to vital government programs, and America’s role in the world. On Facebook, events were spotted outside of Atlanta, Savannah, Macon and Athens: Organizers in Augusta, Carrollton, Fayetteville, Rome, Statesboro, Gainesville, Woodstock, Columbus, Madison, Griffin, Jonesboro, Marietta, Valdosta and other locations held events.
Athens protest
Athens has seen several protests organized by Democratic activists since President Trump’s inauguration. The Saturday protest at Athens City Hall was larger than the last.
More than 500 protesters quickly spilled out onto College Avenue. Donna Dempsey drove in from nearby Lawrenceville. She said she’s concerned about the Trump administration’s impacts on programs retirees like her rely on.
“Not only Social Security that I paid into, but my 401(k),” she said. “The last two days, I’ve lost everything that I’ve gained the last three years. So it’s very concerning that our representatives aren’t out there for us older Americans.”
Local drumming group Palms of Fire pounded away on the steps of City Hall. Protesters demanded answers from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, President Trump and U.S. Rep. Mike Collins.
A small number of counter protestors was also present.
Atlanta protest
In Atlanta, demonstrators marched over two miles from Piedmont Park in Midtown to the Liberty Plaza near the state Capitol.
Organizers had to find extra space for the people, who overfilled the park.
Alena Williams was one of them
“I have kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, so I’m here for them,” she said.
As for her top concerns, she said, “Just everything. The environment, gosh — our security, everything: the rule of law being broken and Congress and the courts not standing up.”
Jim Zingaser is a retired CDC employee who said he is watching his former colleagues at the agency struggle
“The people who are running this country are trying to make it dysfunctional,” he said. “Completely dysfunctional.”
Protestors carried signs condemning Trump and Elon Musk. At Liberty Plaza they heard speakers, including advocates for immigrants and fired federal employees.
No counterprotestors were apparent in the vicinity of this rally.
Macon protest
Saturday afternoon, around 500 people came together in a park running down the middle of Poplar Street in downtown Macon.
The crowd skewed older. Some of their signs pointed to fears for future generations.
Retired Methodist minister Gary Starrett, 82, said he worries about about his grandchildren and doesn’t know exactly how to talk to his friends now.
“It’s difficult because a lot of my friends are conservative Republicans, you know?” he said. “And I love them, but I disagree with them, of course, but it’s hard. You know, I hope that they’ll see what’s happening and slowly come to their senses.”
There were also no counterprotestors in the vicinity of this rally.
Savannah protests
In Savannah, marchers remembered civil rights leaders and demanded respect for veterans and
An estimated 2,000 people attended various locations of the April 5 rally in Savannah.
Hundreds gathered throughout Forsyth Park in the early afternoon, adding to their throngs as they marched by two federal buildings before lining East Bay Street until dusk, waving signs like “Hands Off Our Democracy” and “This is a moral moment.”
Laura Armitage of Savannah wore a “Good Trouble” T-shirt in honor of the saying made famous by late civil rights leader and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, who died in 2020.
“I’m here today in support of us continuing to have a democracy,” Armitage said. “And I wore this shirt, because I do hope everything is peaceful and everybody does everything peacefully [at the protest].”
Jodfrey Stringer, who moved to Savannah from Ohio, said he’s concerned about a lack of respect for everyday Americans — especially members of the armed services.
“No, I’m not a veteran, but I’m a retired construction worker from Ohio, a laborer,” he said. “And I don’t understand why our union guys would support [Trump], ‘cause he don’t care nothing about nobody that’s not rich. Anybody that’s not rich, he don’t care anything about them. And that’s why I’m here today.”
By Sarah Kallis, Grant Blankenship, Kristi York Wooten, Emma Auer, and Chase McGee.
This article comes to Now Habersham in partnership with GPB News.
