‘Hands Off!’ movement is standing firm

On April 5, I joined thousands of community members in Cedar Rapids — and millions more across the state, the nation, and the world — to stand against the forces of division and the organized movement of hatred and exclusion, fueled by those in power who seek to silence and oppress. Trump, Musk, and others like them are using their influence to erode democracy, strip away rights, and normalize discrimination.

I took part in the protest in Cedar Rapids because I refuse to let them dismantle the progress we have fought for — our democracy, our communities, and our fundamental rights are not theirs to take.

They are coming for everything — our health care, our data, our jobs, our services — seizing control and daring us to resist. This is a crisis, and the time to act is now. We say: Hands Off Medicaid! Hands Off Social Security! Hands Off Our Bodies! Hands Off Our Public Lands! Hands Off Unions! Hands Off Immigrants! Hands Off Trans and LGBTQ+ Rights! Hands Off Clean Energy! Hands Off Our Courts! Hands Off Our Democracy!

We are here, we are organized, and we are not backing down.

Erienne Becker

Cedar Rapids