Across the United States, an anti-Trump movement is gaining traction, driven by a coalition of young people and various worker groups.
In several major cities, there have been weekly protests against Israel’s renewed bombing of Gaza, as well as increased actions against the state kidnappings of immigrant students by ICE.
Mid-March saw the Federal Unionists Network—a rank-and-file grouping of workers from different federal unions—hold a meeting addressing the troubling actions of Trump’s administration, which garnered an astonishing viewership of over 60,000 nationwide.
On April 5, this burgeoning movement took a significant leap as millions flooded the streets in over 1,200 rallies, marking the largest day of nationwide protest against Trump 2.0.
Members of Socialist Alternative nationwide played a crucial role in building momentum for the April 5 Hands Off protests in the weeks prior.
Activists distributed fliers at protests, college and high school campuses, and on street corners in working-class neighborhoods.
Union members also mobilized, bringing their coworkers to join the cause.
Organized by the Federal Unionists Network, 50501, SEIU, AFT, and other unions and leftist groups, the protests were the largest since the George Floyd rebellion in 2020.
The New York Times estimated that approximately 5.2 million people participated in the protests across the country, with at least 100,000 demonstrating in New York City alone.
Even in smaller towns, thousands of protesters turned out.
Socialist Alternative members attended events in over 20 cities and towns, discussing strategies to defeat Trump and escalate the struggle against his regime.
Conversations included union teachers organizing to defy ICE raids in their workplaces and students planning walkouts against Trump’s increasing authoritarian measures on college campuses.
Despite the positive outcome of uniting various struggles against Trump during the April 5 protests, it was apparent that the attendance of young people was less than in recent protests.
Historically, young people have often been at the forefront of movements challenging capitalist exploitation and oppression.
From campus encampments that reignited protests against Israel’s actions to the leadership of Black youth in the George Floyd rebellion, young people have played a critical role in inspiring broader actions among the working class.
It is essential that our movements remain strong, and that workers and youth unite in common cause, as many young people are already part of the workforce.
Organizations like 50501 are urged to advocate for demands that resonate with youth, such as ending U.S. military aid to Israel and opposing campus repression against anti-war protesters.
These issues are also vital to the workers’ movement as a whole.
Many speakers at the Hands Off protests suggested that voting for Democrats is the primary route to stopping Trump, directing attention to the midterms in 2026.
However, it has become increasingly clear that the Democratic Party cannot effectively combat Trump’s agenda.
Over the past four years in power, Democrats have been involved in breaking strikes, attacking immigrant rights, expanding oil drilling, and using taxpayer funds to bomb homes, schools, and hospitals in Gaza.
The Democratic leadership is unlikely to create a movement robust enough to challenge Trump, given their fear that such a movement might eventually counter the interests of their billionaire backers.
Any viable fightback against Trump and the far right must align with the need for a new political party representing the working class.
Moreover, with the midterms still 18 months away, immediate action is essential.
In just a short time in office, Trump has already annulled collective bargaining agreements for thousands of federal workers, rounded up and deported numerous immigrants, and cut social services.
Clearly, we cannot afford to wait 18 months to engage in meaningful resistance!
The Hands Off protests demonstrated that thousands of attendees were eager for tangible next steps in the struggle.
As a result, Socialist Alternative, along with other leftist organizations and unions, are advocating for the next coordinated day of mass protests against Trump to take place on May 1, International Workers Day.
This day should also serve as a platform to establish democratic structures that unite working people and youth in schools, workplaces, and communities, fostering discussions on effective strategies and tactics against Trumpism.
Such structures could facilitate the planning of escalatory actions, intensifying pressure on Trump and his billionaire allies—with a proposed national one-day strike as the next step.
image source from：https://internationalsocialist.net/en/2025/04/united-states-2
