Thousands of people in Milwaukee against Trump, Musk come together for 'Hands Off!' protest

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Opponents of President Donald Trump and his advisor Elon Musk rallied in downtown Milwaukee on Saturday, April 5, to protest the administration's actions on government downsizing, the economy, human rights and other issues.

Thousands of people chanted and held signs as they gathered on E. Wisconsin Ave outside of the Milwaukee Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse. 

“We need to take this fight to Trump, to Musk, to all of those billionaires that think they run this country. We run the country!" Said Alan Chavoya of the group, 'Freedom Road Socialist Organization' as the protest began.

Protesters criticized the Trump administration's moves to fire thousands of federal workers, close Social Security Administration field offices, deport immigrants, scale back protections for transgender people and cut federal funding for health programs.

Musk, a Trump advisor who owns Tesla, SpaceX and the social media platform X, has played a key role in government downsizing as the head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. He says he is saving taxpayers billions of dollars.

“We have become Trump and Elon Musk’s toys in his sandbox and I’m tired of being that," said Melissa Markgraf of the group, 'Wisconsinites Dedicated to Democracy.'

More than 1,200 "Hands Off!" demonstrations were planned by more than 150 groups across the country, including civil rights organizations, labor unions, LBGTQ+ advocates, veterans and elections activists.

The protests were taking place at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., state capitols and other locations in all 50 states. Outside of Milwaukee, other "Hands Off!" demonstrations in Wisconsin were held in Madison, Green Bay, Racine and other cities. 

Contributions to this story were made by CBS News.