Arms Off! NYC protesters converge on Bryant Park, elsewhere to protest Trump, Musk

MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) — Crowds of protesters converged on Bryant Park and elsewhere in New York Metropolis on Saturday to name out President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk’s actions on authorities downsizing, the economic system, immigration and human rights.

“It makes me really feel that I am attempting to perform one thing. I do not know if something goes to occur out of it, however we simply can’t keep house and protest in regards to the state of affairs,” stated Marcela Schaub, one of many protesters who braved the rain on Saturday in Bryant Park.

The demonstration close to Bryant Park was simply one among many “Arms Off!” protests happening not solely all through New York Metropolis but additionally throughout all 50 U.S. states, in accordance with organizers. Greater than 150 teams deliberate greater than 1,200 “Arms Off!” demonstrations.

ALSO READ: ‘Arms Off!’ protests in opposition to Trump and Musk underway throughout the US

“We’re simply involved about our rights which were taken away,” stated Sylvia Schwartz, one other protester at Bryant Park. “They’re being taken away, they’re dismantling all the things. This isn’t about effectivity, that is about management and energy and the destruction of america.”

Protesters confirmed as much as arise in opposition to among the Trump’s administration’s newest strikes, together with the implementation of tariffs, immigration operations and lowering the dimensions of some federal businesses, whereas eliminating others all collectively.

Eileen Chen is a federal employee with the Shopper Monetary Safety Bureau. A federal choose not too long ago blocked the Trump administration’s try to dismantle the federal government company.

“They tried to close down our whole company. And I, many, many, a lot of my coworkers have been fired. However as a result of we have all come collectively by means of our actually robust union, we have been truly capable of get each single particular person reinstated,” Chen stated.

Others say they’re involved about billionaire Elon Musk, who has pushed insurance policies to decreased federal spending in his function as the top of the U.S. Division of Authorities Effectivity.

The administration has stated DOGE’s function is to rid the federal authorities of waste, fraud and abuse. In the meantime, Musk has spoken about his function in attempting to dismantle the USAID, which provides humanitarian support to international locations.

“That is not a democracy. It is a whole abuse of our freedom. That is primary. I may go on for a very long time, however slicing U.S. support, for me, it must be essentially the most disgusting issues that this authorities has accomplished,” Schaub stated.

The Related Press contributed to this report

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