Thousands of Iowans gathered in downtown Des Moines as part of a nationwide protest in opposition of the Donald Trump administration.
More than 1,200 protests were organized across the country on April 5, sending a message to President Donald Trump and Elon Musk to take their “hands off” social security, public schools, immigration, civil rights and more.
Starting in Cowles Commons by Capitol Square outside of Rep. Zach Nunn’s office, Iowans held posters that said things like “Hands Off!” “This is not what anyone voted for,” “No Kings stop the coup.” They also displayed banners, t-shirts and flags that shunned President Trump.
“We know that Representative Nunn has no interest in representing us,” Michaelyn Mankel, an Iowa organizer with Food and Water Watch told the crowd. “He has made that abundantly clear with his vote on the house budget resolution.
“We are here to demand he reverse his support for these disastrous cuts, that he stop scapegoating and targeting and attacking his most vulnerable constituents, and that he gets serious about what the people in his district need,” Mankel said.
The demonstrators eventually took to the streets, filling more than five blocks along Locust Street, marching toward the People’s Plaza on the west side of the Iowa State Capitol building. The large crowd chanted “The people united will never be defeated,” and “Power to the people, no one is illegal.”
“I feel very strongly that we’ve got to be seen by our representatives,” Patty Hinsley, 67, of southwestern Iowa, told the Register as she joined the crowd in the streets.
She said the turnout for Saturday’s protest was “overwhelming.”
More: Live updates: Anti-Trump protesters set to gather at hundreds of locations nationwide
A march to Iowa’s state capitol
Protestors continued up the Capitol stairs where they met with other rallies planned by Food and Water Watch, 50501, Bitches Get Shit Done, and Indivisible 515.
“Have you had enough of this b—s–t?” Charles Wishman, President of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, yelled to the thousands sprawled from Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol steps. “They’re going to keep charging ahead. The most important thing is to keep showing up and to keep organizing.
“The only people that are gonna save us are us,” he said.
Lydia Miller, 22, of Des Moines, joined the rally with a sign that said “Resist and Persist.”
“Donald Trump is currently running a fascist regime in America when it should be about democracy,” Miller told the Register.
Miller said the protest was “empowering.”
“It feels like we actually have a voice and we have a say and there are people who are united, not divided,” she said.
More: Thousands of Iowa City residents take over downtown for nationwide ‘Hands Off’ anti-Trump rally
Local officials address Des Moines crowd
Union leaders, disability advocates, healthcare advocates, and Party for Socialism and Liberation members also spoke to the crowd as they chanted and cheered.
“Are we gonna fall for the scapegoating bullshit that divides us?” Mankel yelled to the crowd.
“No!” they responded.
Protesters hold signs as they join a nationwide “Hands Off” protest against the Trump administration on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Des Moines.
“Are we stronger together?” She asked.
“Yes!” the crowd responded.
“Our biggest call to action is to stay in the streets and show up,” Mankel said.
A “call to action” press conference was also held Saturday by the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa. The organization delivered a petition signed by more than 500 Iowans asking Rep. Nunn to hold a public town hall meeting. The petition and the organization were not associated with the ‘hands off’ protests.
What is the ‘Hands Off!’ mobilization movement?
Hands Off! is a “nationwide mobilization to stop the most brazen power grab in modern history,” according to the movement’s website.
“Trump, Musk, and their billionaire cronies are orchestrating an all-out assault on our government, our economy, and our basic rights—enabled by Congress every step of the way,” the website says.
More: What are reciprocal tariffs? How President Trump’s plan could affect Iowa
“Across the country, thousands of people will march, rally, disrupt, and demand an end to this billionaire power grab,” the website says. “We’ll show up at state capitals, federal buildings, congressional offices, and city centers—anywhere we can make sure they hear us.”
According to Hands Off!, the Trump Administration and allies are dismantling Social Security and Medicare, forcing citizens to pay higher prices for essentials while “handing trillions to billionaires,” gutting protections for the working class and “assaulting our communities and our rights—targeting veterans, kids, seniors, farmers, immigrants, transgender people, and political opponents.”
‘Hands Off!’ rallies spread across Iowa, nation
In Iowa, there were protests in Ames, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Decorah, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fairfield, Iowa City, Lisbon, Mason City, Maquoketa, Mount Vernon, Red Oak and Waterloo.
Thousands of Iowa City residents marched through the downtown streets on Saturday, swallowing an entire city block.
Johnson County Supervisor and Corridor Community Action Network founder and director Mandi Remington was one of a litany of speakers who shared stories and impassioned words.
“Donald Trump and his billionaire allies are not just coming for our wallets,” Remington said. “They’re coming for our identities, our communities and our very right to exist safely and freely in this country. They know that diversity, equity and inclusion make us stronger. That’s why they’re trying to dismantle it state by state and institution by institution.”
More: Several hundred Ames residents flock to Bandshell for nationwide ‘hands off’ anti-Trump rally
Several hundred people gathered in Bandshell Park in Ames on Saturday.
Ellen Rasmussen of the Ames Visibility Brigade was amazed by the large turnout and that people had come from across central Iowa to share the message.
“Our message here in Ames is to make people aware, to motivate and energize people to take further action after today,” Rasmussen said.
Kyle Werner is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@dmreg.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines residents protest Trump, Musk during ‘hands off’ rally
