About 100 protesters gathered in Ottawa April 5 as part of the global Hands Off! Demonstrations, expressing their outrage at many policies coming from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Demonstrators first assembled in front of the U.S. Embassy on Sussex Drive before marching to Major’s Hill Park, where participants held up signs denouncing the Trump administration.
Hands Off! is a pro-democracy movement that describes recent developments in the U.S. as more than just political dysfunction. “This is not just corruption. This is not just mismanagement. This is a hostile takeover,” organizers said in a statement.
Participants gathered under grey and rainy skies waving homemade signs, keeping spirits high and chanting “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Donald Trump has got to go.”
Trump has imposed tariffs on Canada (as with most of the world), despite the president renegotiating the North American trade agreement in 2020, and has repeatedly made threats about annexing Canada, publicly stating he wants to make it the 51st state.
David Winney, a participant wearing a motorcycle jacket displaying a patch from the “Canadian Legion Riders,” said he received the patch after previously riding with a group of veterans. He was encouraged to attend the protest by his daughter, Chantal.
“There are several messages,” he said. “One of them is to leave Canada the hell alone. It would be great to convince the American public to get rid of this guy. He’s absolutely the worst president they’ve ever had, and it’s gonna take the people to get rid of him.”
Attendee Drake Hodgson expressed concern about Elon Musk’s influence in Washington.
“I think it is very unconstitutional that an unelected oligarch is able to have so much influence over policy,” he said. “I’m here to help ensure that influence doesn’t seep into Canadian government and policy.”
The tech billionaire is a top campaign donor, senior advisor to the president, and director of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
In an X (formerly Twitter) post earlier this year, he responded to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s criticism of the annexation threats, writing: “Girl, you’re not the governor of Canada anymore, so doesn’t matter what you say.”
A sign at the April 5 protest read: “Musk bought America but Canada is not for sale.”
Laura Jellett, another participant, explained her reasons for joining the protest.
“Every one of my fears has been coming true for the people of the United States,” she said. “So, for me, it’s about standing up and saying we don’t want that to happen here. It’s time for everybody to take notice, not just politicians on one side of the aisle, but literally everybody.”
In a statement, Rahna Epting, the Executive Director of MoveOn the grassroots progressive organization that ran Hands Off!, said: “What we witnessed today was nothing short of extraordinary. Across the country and around the world, people came together to say we will not be silent while our rights, our futures, and our democracy are under attack.”
In her statement she added: “This peaceful movement is powered by everyday people — nurses, teachers, students, parents — who are rising up to protect what matters most. We are united, we are relentless, and we are just getting started.”
The Ottawa protest was one of many that took place around the world, including mass demonstrations across the U.S. states.
There were more than 1,400 demonstrations held at state capitols, federal buildings, congressional offices, Social Security’s headquarters, parks and city halls throughout the U.S.
On Saturday, Ottawa was the only Canadian city to plan a demonstration in the country. Other countries outside of the U.S. included Austria, France, Germany, Mexico, The Netherlands, Portugal, and the UK.
The demonstrations follow the Trump administration’s continued trade war, which has extended to much of the global economy.
Trump declared April 2 “Liberation Day,” and announced plans to impose “a minimum baseline tariff of 10 per cent” on all goods entering the United States, effective April 5.
One sign read: “Penguins say dump Trump,” referencing the tariffs imposed on the uninhabited Heard Island and McDonald Islands, which are home only to penguins.
Canada was not included in the latest tariff list. An executive order later confirmed that no additional tariffs would be placed on Canadian goods. Existing exemptions under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) will remain in place.
However, some Canadian goods still face tariffs — including a 25 per cent duty on aluminum and steel exports, as well as a 25 per cent tariff on autos and auto parts.
One protest organizer, who asked to remain anonymous, said she joined the demonstration because of deep concerns over the state of American democracy.
“Because I’m appalled by what’s going on in the U.S. right now,” she said. “What’s happening to democracy in the United States is unlike anything I’ve experienced in my lifetime – and I’m almost 70 years old. I think it’s time for people to come out and raise their voices and make their opposition known.”
