Protesters descend on City Hall in opposition to Trump and Musk
Protesters hold signs as they take to the streets near Houston City Hall. The protests, which took place nationwide, drew over 13,00 people in opposition to Elon Musk and Donald Trump.
James Cancelarich / Thresher
Thousands rallied at Houston City Hall April 5 in the “most widespread” slew of national protests since Donald Trump took the presidential office in January. Houston’s rally was one of over 1,300 that were estimated to bring out around 3 million people.
National organizers called for an “end to this billionaire power grab,” protesting — among many other things — tech scion Elon Musk’s advisory role in the new administration. Attendees called for worker’s rights; diversity, equity and inclusion; freedom of speech and an end to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Signs held by demonstrators described Trump’s administration as an oligarchy and likened Elon Musk to Adolf Hitler.
“Say no to autocracy,” read one sign held by a protester.
“ICE has no right to deport without due process,” read another sign, likely referencing the recent high profile case where a man from Maryland was mistakenly deported to El Salvador.
One protester brought a dog with a bandana that read “Dogs against DOGE,” referring to Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which has been behind the cuts of over 50,000 government workers.
Solomon Ni attended the protest with the Democratic Socialists of America.
“The biggest issue is making sure that people are paying attention to what is going on and directing their energies to organizing and making sure that they are in organizations who are doing the work on the ground,” said Ni, the former Student Association president.
Ni said he encouraged people to get more comfortable talking with their friends and neighbors about politics.
“I think genuinely you have to stick to what you believe in and what you believe is right, and be able to air that out in an appropriate space — getting people engaged and motivated to do things, like coming out to protests, knocking on doors and ensuring that people are just taken care of, that’s one big thing,” Ni said.
During the protest, several organizers addressed the crowds. Local politicians, including Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and Council Member Abbie Kamin also gave speeches.
“We will stand for democracy and we will win,” Kamin said in her address.
Isaiah Martin, a Democrat running for Houston’s District 18 House seat in Congress, said that he was inspired by the turnout.
“What you’ve got in this city are people all across this city, thousands of people here, to tell this president that we’re not going to stand for it. And look what the response has been. We’ve got the Republicans running scared,” Martin said.
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