photo by: Shawn Valverde

Protesters line the intersection of Ninth and Massachusetts streets on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

A crowd of demonstrators on Massachusetts Street joined other cities across the nation in protesting against the Trump administration and Elon Musk on Saturday.

The rally in downtown Lawrence was one of more than 1,200 “Hands Off!” demonstrations planned around the country by civil rights organizations, labor unions, LBGTQ+ advocates, veterans and elections activists. Protesters also gathered Saturday at the state Capitol in Topeka, capitols of other states and the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Hundreds of Lawrence residents had already been organizing protests prior to Saturday’s rally. Every Sunday at noon, hundreds of people gather with their friends and family in downtown Lawrence to protest the administration’s policies.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Protesters line the intersection of Ninth and Massachusetts streets on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Protesters gather in downtown Lawrence on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Protesters line the intersection of Ninth and Massachusetts streets on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Protesters gather in downtown Lawrence on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Protesters gather in downtown Lawrence on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

A Trump doll in handcuffs is tied to a stick in downtown Lawrence on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Protesters gather in downtown Lawrence on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

A protester holds a sign on Massachusetts Street on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

A protester holds a sign on Massachusetts Street on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Protesters gather in downtown Lawrence on Saturday, April 5, 2025.