Over 300 Greenbelt and Maryland residents attended Greenbelt’s Hands Off! National Day of Action rally on Saturday, April 5 to protest Trump administration actions they say are violating the U.S. Constitution, attacking democracy and civil rights, gutting federal services, damaging the economy, threatening Americans’ lives and livelihoods, and endangering global security. Many said it was critical to make their voices heard now before it is too late. The event was one of 17 Hands Off! demonstrations in Maryland and over 1,300 nationwide.
Handsoff2025.com called April 5 a National Day of Action for democracy and against the administration’s “assault on our freedoms and our communities.” It said, “Whether you are mobilized by the attacks on our democracy, the slashing of jobs, the invasion of privacy or the assault on our services – this moment is for you.”
Greenbelt’s Rally
Greenbelt’s rally began at the Municipal Building from 3 to 4 p.m., followed by a march to the Baltimore-Washington Parkway pedestrian Spellman Overpass to engage motorists there from 4 to 5 p.m. Greenbelt police were on hand to manage safety at the Municipal Building and the overpass, and as attendees marched from one to the other.
Attendees the News Review spoke with came from Greenbelt, Bowie, Calvert County, College Park, Crofton, Davidsonville, Hagerstown, Lanham, Laurel and University Park, with ages ranging from a few months old to their 90s. Some had attended the Hands Off! rally in Washington, D.C earlier in the day.
Attendees carried signs advocating for issues they felt the administration is attacking, including the Constitution, democracy, human rights, Medicare and Medicaid, Social Security, seniors, veterans, fair elections, immigrants, workers, free speech, cancer research, the environment, African American contributions, women’s and minority rights, faith, education, health care, the economy and consumer protections. Participants engaged in chants including the call and response of “When I say Social Security, you say – Hands Off,” following “Social Security” with public education, health care, migrant solidarity, black bodies, trans bodies, worker solidarity, social services, clean air, public libraries and Medicare.
Drivers of vehicles passing the Municipal Building expressed support with their horns and waving. Baltimore-Washington Parkway drivers did the same and waved signs of their own, perhaps while returning from the Washington, D.C. rally. Greenbelter Frank Gervasi estimated that 9,600 Parkway drivers saw the demonstration.
Making Their Voices Heard
The News Review asked attendees why they wanted to participate in the rally. Former Greenbelt mayor and councilmember J Davis said, “We have to be here today. We have to show people that we are not lying down and accepting what’s going on. I think everyone thinks we’re being complacent. We’re not. It’s going to start building and eventually we’ll see it in the voting booth.”
Nancy Giddens, with Greenbelt daughter Joanna, said, “I believe in our democracy and we do not have a representative government at this time. We have an autocracy with the executive branch having absolutely limitless power. That is not constitutional. I think we have to protest that. It’s really important to be here because if we’re passive, then all our rights will be slowly taken away.”
