By Jeff Crockett | Vancouver Online
Date: April 6, 2025
VANCOUVER, WA — On a cool spring afternoon in Esther Short Park, voices rang out, signs waved in the air, and a powerful sense of unity took hold. The crowd gathered not for a concert or festival, but for something even more vital: a demand for protection of social safety nets, democratic rights, and economic justice.
April 5th marked a coordinated, nationwide day of action dubbed the “Hands Off!” protests, which saw more than 1,400 demonstrations erupt in parks, streets, and public squares across all 50 states. Vancouver, Washington, played its part, as hundreds of locals assembled downtown in solidarity with the larger movement sweeping the U.S.
A Local Stand in Esther Short Park
What began as a grassroots call to action quickly gained traction online and in local networks, leading to a diverse crowd in Esther Short Park. Activists, families, small business owners, and retirees stood shoulder to shoulder with students, teachers, and everyday residents—all driven by concern over recent federal decisions impacting healthcare, economic policy, and civil liberties.
“This isn’t just about one law or one person,” said organizer Jamie Delgado, speaking into a small megaphone near the park’s central fountain. “This is about the direction our country is heading—and making sure our neighbors, our elders, our kids don’t get left behind.”
Attendees carried handmade signs with slogans like “Hands Off My Healthcare,” “Save Social Security,” and “People Over Profits.” Several wore t-shirts emblazoned with the message: “Don’t Cut What We Paid For.”
Voices from the Crowd
Kendra Holbrook, a retired nurse living on a fixed income, shared her fears about proposed changes to Medicare.
“I’ve worked my whole life, paid into the system. Now they want to gut it? No way,” she said. “We’re not going down without a fight.”
Nearby, local café owner Amir Tarek talked about the economic ripple effects of new federal tariffs that have already driven up supply costs.
“Coffee beans, dairy, even napkins—they’ve all gotten more expensive,” he said. “It’s hard enough to survive as a small business without getting slammed by policy decisions made 3,000 miles away.”
A Movement Across the Nation
While the Vancouver protest reflected the energy of the Pacific Northwest, it was just one pulse in a larger heartbeat of discontent that swept the country.
In Washington, D.C., thousands gathered on the National Mall for a massive demonstration that drew national headlines. Civil rights leaders, economists, and political figures spoke out against what they described as “top-down policies that hurt working families.” Among them were Rev. William Barber II and Congressman Jamie Raskin, who called for “compassion-driven governance and fiscal justice.”
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, demonstrators clogged downtown intersections with chants of “Hands off our rights!” and signs demanding economic fairness. Cities like Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, and Austin saw turnout ranging from several hundred to thousands, underscoring the widespread reach and resonance of the protest.
Unlike many recent protests that have centered on single-issue topics, the Hands Off! movement united people across a broad range of concerns—from healthcare and Social Security to civil liberties, immigration, and labor rights.
Why Now?
The protest wave came in response to what organizers describe as an “unprecedented erosion” of vital government services and protections. A series of recent federal actions, some spearheaded by the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have stirred public backlash. Among the most controversial are proposed cuts to Medicare and Social Security, reductions in food assistance programs, and sweeping tariffs that have raised prices on consumer goods.
Critics argue these moves place an undue burden on low- and middle-income Americans while shielding corporations and the wealthy from accountability.
“These policies aren’t just bad math—they’re moral failures,” said economist Rachel Liu during a livestream from New York. “We’re witnessing a historic transfer of wealth and risk onto the backs of everyday Americans.”
Looking Ahead
With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, some are calling this the beginning of a larger political movement. Many protest organizers are urging participants to carry their passion to the polls, focusing on voter registration drives, community education, and grassroots mobilization.
In Vancouver, event co-organizer Ayla Thompson wrapped up the day with a hopeful message:
“We came out today to say ‘enough.’ But this isn’t the end. This is the spark.”
The People Make the Movement
In a unique twist, attendees at the Vancouver protest were encouraged to share selfies, pet photos, and group shots from the event using the hashtag #HandsOffVancouver. The photo feed lit up local social media, showing signs of humor, hope, and resilience. A golden retriever in a protest shirt reading “Bark for Benefits” became an unexpected viral favorite.
Vancouver Online will be featuring a gallery of community-submitted protest photos throughout the week.
What This Means for Vancouver
While national policies often feel distant, events like the April 5 protest prove how deeply they affect local communities. For Vancouver residents, issues like healthcare, housing affordability, small business survival, and school funding are not abstract—they’re daily concerns.
The “Hands Off!” protest reminded us that even in a smaller city, people have the power to make noise, be heard, and push for the kind of future they believe in.