By Jordan Beaubois, News Editor
One of the many signs readings “We are not ok” during the ‘Hands Off’ protest in downtown Grand Rapids – Photo by Jordan Beaubois
On Saturday April 5, thousands of people made themselves heard and seen at Rosa Parks Circle in unison with a great number of others who took part in the national “Hands Off!” protests organized across the country.
The message of the movement was meant to tell the current administration to keep its hands off national parks, to immigrants, to social security, to education, Pandma, Canada, Greenland, and much more.
Some Aquinas students and professors were seen at the event including previous Aquinas French Professor, Doctor Michel Pichot. Palmatier Endowed Professor of Political Science, Doctor Roger Durham, was also present.
“I was really honored to go to the Hands Off protest, because it gave me an opportunity to practice what I preach,” Said Aquinas College senior Lindsey Harvell, “Words are one thing, but actually doing something to back it up is so powerful, and I am privileged that I can stand up for what is right with little to no repercussions unlike people of color, regardless of their citizenship status,” Said Aquinas College senior Lindsey Harvell, “It was really cool because I was actually standing right next to some Dominican Sisters at the protest, and I thought that was really cool to see the group that started our college also doing their part in standing up for our rights, regardless of their age.”
Snippet of the crowd gathered in Rosa Parks Circle – Photo by Jordan Beaubois
The time scheduled for the protest was hosted from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., yet many arrived early and stayed late, anxious to exercise their inalienable right to free speech. It was not just speech and assembly that was being shared throughout the protest. Senior at Aquinas Morgan Kuula, was doing her civic duty by not only participating, but handing out crochet flowers for those present.
“The Hands Off rally was a beautiful display of people standing up for their rights,” said Kuula, “It was truly incredible to watch people of all ages, races, genders, and abilities come together to protest our administration. It was a great reminder of our power as people and has given me hope for our future.”
Aquinas senior Morgan Kuula with a handful of yellow crochet flowers- Photo by Jordan Beaubois
While the event began and ended at Rosa Parks Circle it did not stay there as the thousands of people marched through the city of Grand Rapids north to Michigan Street NE and rounded the Grand Rapids City Hall and back its origin at Rosa Parks Circle. Many different chants were heard throughout the march among them were “this is what democracy looks like,” “free, free, free Palestine,” “hey-hey, ho-ho, Trump and Musk have got to go,” and many more.
As previously mentioned this event was not specific to Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was a national protest hosted in many cities ranging both big and small across all 50 states. Brianna Cross, of Miss Nevada fame, partook in the “Hands Off!” protest in Nevada’s capital, Carson City. “Being a part of the Hands Off movement gave me a new appreciation for those who came before me who stood for what they believe in. I love being able to fight for the next generation, and am proud of the side I’ll be on in this history books,” said Cross.
One of the protestor’s signs in the “Hands Off” protest in Carson City, Nevada – Photo by Brianna Cross
The protest at Grand Rapids was entirely peaceful as were all the others across the nation, and no verbal or physical altercations were present.
Protester giving a thumbs up, wearing a ‘Gulf of Mexico’ cap, while upholding an upside down American flag – Photo by Jordan Beaubois
The Saint 