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The “Hands Off!” Protests: A Nationwide Cry Against Trump and Musk
The “Hands Off!” Protests A Nationwide Cry Against Trump and Musk
On Saturday, April 5, 2025, the United States witnessed an unprecedented wave of mass demonstrations that swept across all 50 states, marking what many are calling the largest single-day protest in the nation’s recent history. Dubbed the “Hands Off!” protests, these rallies brought together tens of thousands—possibly millions—of Americans in over 1,200 locations, from bustling urban centers like New York City and Washington, D.C., to smaller towns in Alaska and the Midwest. The demonstrations were a visceral response to the policies of President Donald Trump’s second administration and the influential role of billionaire Elon Musk, particularly through his leadership in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). As the nation grapples with economic upheaval, government downsizing, and controversial immigration measures, the protests signal a burgeoning resistance movement determined to challenge what many perceive as an assault on American democracy and social fabric.
The Spark of Discontent
The seeds of the “Hands Off!” protests were sown in the early weeks of Trump’s second term, which began in January 2025. After a tumultuous first term and a subsequent return to power, Trump wasted no time implementing an aggressive agenda that included sweeping tariffs, mass deportation plans, and significant cuts to federal programs. Alongside him stood Elon Musk, the tech mogul whose appointment to lead DOGE—a new initiative aimed at slashing government “waste”—amplified the administration’s disruptive approach. Musk’s influence, often seen as a billionaire’s unchecked power grab, became a lightning rod for criticism as DOGE spearheaded mass layoffs of federal workers and the termination of contracts critical to agencies like the Social Security Administration and USAID.
The tipping point came in late March and early April 2025, when a series of policy rollouts sent shockwaves through the country. Trump’s imposition of reciprocal tariffs—ranging from 10% to over 50% on U.S. trading partners—triggered a plunge in international stock markets, wiping out trillions in value and threatening millions of Americans’ retirement savings, including 401(k) plans. Simultaneously, the administration’s immigration crackdown intensified, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) accelerating migrant arrests and deportations, sometimes with glaring missteps, such as the erroneous deportation of a Salvadoran man with legal protections. Meanwhile, DOGE’s cuts left federal departments in disarray, with thousands of employees receiving “reduction in force” notices and vital services like Medicaid and Social Security teetering on the brink.
These developments galvanized a broad coalition of over 150 organizations—civil rights groups, labor unions, LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans, and election activists—into action. The “Hands Off!” movement was born, aiming to deliver a “massive, visible, national rejection” of what organizers described as a “hostile takeover” of American rights and freedoms.A Day of Defiance
On April 5, the nation erupted in protest. In Washington, D.C., tens of thousands converged on the National Mall, braving gloomy skies and light rain to denounce Trump and Musk. Placards and banners bore messages like “Stop Destroying America” and “Shut Up Elon, No One Voted for You,” while chants of “Hey hey, ho ho, Trump and Musk have got to go!” echoed through the crowd. Congressional figures like Jamie Raskin, Eric Swalwell, and Ilhan Omar joined the speakers’ lineup, framing the protests as a fight against “fascism” and a call to protect democratic institutions.
Beyond the capital, the protests spanned the continent. In Chicago, an estimated tens of thousands filled Daley Plaza, though police did not confirm the numbers. New Yorkers marched through Manhattan, while in Los Angeles, demonstrators waved Ukrainian flags and Palestinian keffiyehs, blending domestic grievances with global solidarity. Portland, Oregon, saw thousands take to the streets, and even smaller locales like Palm Beach Gardens, Florida—near Trump’s golf club—hosted fervent rallies. In Richmond, Virginia, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, state capitols became focal points for dissent. Overseas, Americans abroad joined in, with protests outside the U.S. embassy in Berlin featuring slogans targeting Musk’s DOGE initiatives.
The diversity of the demonstrators was striking. Families brought multiple generations, from 95-year-old Neal Testerman in Hartford, Connecticut, to young activists like Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student resisting deportation threats. Causes ranged from economic disruption and government downsizing to immigration, trans rights, climate rollbacks, and U.S. foreign policy, particularly support for Israel amid the Gaza conflict. The protests marked a departure from earlier anti-Trump efforts, surpassing the scale of the 2017 Women’s March and the 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations in their geographic reach, The Stakes and the Strategy
At the heart of the “Hands Off!” protests lay three core demands: an end to the “billionaire takeover” and corruption of the Trump administration, a halt to cuts in federal programs like Medicaid and Social Security, and a cessation of attacks on marginalized communities. Organizers, including groups like Indivisible, saw the rallies as a launching pad for a sustained movement. Leah Greenberg, Indivisible’s executive director, articulated a dual strategy: mass popular resistance paired with legislative pressure, a combination she argued succeeds “more than two-thirds of the time” in thwarting authoritarian agendas.The timing was critical. With midterm elections looming in 2026, the protests aimed to embolden disillusioned Americans and pressure lawmakers to resist Trump’s policies. The recent tariff-induced market crash and fears of an economic downturn added urgency, as did the administration’s boasts of putting agencies like USAID “in the wood chipper.” For many, the stakes were existential—about preserving national parks, public education, healthcare for veterans, abortion rights, and fair elections, all seen as under threat.The Response and the Road Ahead
The White House dismissed the protests with characteristic defiance. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told USA TODAY, “Anyone who thinks protests, lawsuits, and lawfare will deter President Trump must have been sleeping under a rock for the past several years.” Trump himself spent the weekend golfing in Florida, posting a video of his swing on social media, seemingly unmoved by the unrest.
Yet the scale of the “Hands Off!” protests suggests a movement gaining momentum. While crowd sizes remain unverified—organizers claim “millions” participated—the sheer breadth of the demonstrations signals a reawakening of opposition that had struggled to coalesce since Trump’s first term. Social media amplified the moment, with footage of packed streets and impassioned speeches trending widely, despite some posts exaggerating numbers or specifics.
Critics of the protests argue that they lack a unified focus, risking dilution of their impact. Supporters counter that their strength lies in their inclusivity, uniting disparate grievances under a shared rejection of Trump and Musk’s vision. The administration’s response in the coming weeks—whether escalation or conciliation—will likely shape the movement’s trajectory. Already, plans for further rallies are circulating, with activists vowing to sustain pressure through civil disobedience, legal challenges, and grassroots organizing.
A Nation at a Crossroads
As the sun set on April 5, 2025, the “Hands Off!” protests left an indelible mark on the American landscape. They were a raw outpouring of anger, fear, and hope—a collective refusal to accept the status quo. Whether they snowball into a rolling cycle of resistance, as organizers hope, or fizzle amid the complexities of a polarized nation, remains uncertain. What is clear is that the United States stands at a crossroads, with millions signaling they will not go quietly into an era defined by Trump and Musk’s ambitions. The echoes of their chants—”The people, united, will never be divided”—linger as a challenge to a government that, for now, appears defiant but not invincible.
For years, Plateau State—nestled in Nigeria’s North-Central region—has been a place of both breathtaking beauty and heartbreaking violence. Lately, however, it’s the bloodshed that’s been impossible to ignore. A relentless wave of attacks over recent weeks has left dozens dead, thousands displaced, and an entire nation once again grappling with the reality of a security system struggling to keep up.
The violence, often chalked up to communal tensions or criminal gangs, is far more complex than any single explanation can capture. As communities mourn and survivors pick up the pieces, questions mount: Why does this keep happening? And what is being done to stop it?
A Bloody April
The first week of April 2025 saw a chilling escalation. Armed attackers stormed several villages in Bokkos Local Government Area—Hurti, Josho, and Daffo among them—leaving at least 40 people dead and razing close to 400 homes. Nearly 1,000 residents fled, adding to the state’s swelling population of internally displaced persons.
The violence didn’t stop there. On April 13, a father and his two sons were murdered in their sleep in Zogu village, Bassa LGA. Just a day later, 51 more lives were claimed in the nearby Zike community, all within a span of hours. That attack came hot on the heels of another massacre in Bokkos, where 52 people were killed and around 2,000 forced from their homes.
By mid-April, the death toll had surpassed 100 in a single week. Among the dead and missing were students, including those from Plateau State University. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) both condemned the killings, calling them an affront to humanity.
More Than Just Farmer vs. Herder
Too often, violence in the Middle Belt gets brushed off as just another round in the long-running farmer-herder conflict. But leaders in Plateau—and beyond—are pushing back on that narrative.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang has openly called the attacks “genocidal” and “sponsored,” rejecting the simplistic farmer-herder framing. Former Governor Jonah Jang was even more direct, blaming a “known group with a hidden agenda” for what he called a systematic campaign of terror.
The truth is messier. Plateau sits at the crossroads of Nigeria’s ethnic and religious identities. Indigenous Christian farming communities and Muslim Fulani herders have a long, troubled history marked by land disputes, cultural friction, and deep-seated mistrust. But these latest killings appear to go beyond old rivalries.
The Crisis Within the Crisis
Ethnic and Religious Tensions: The region’s diversity, while rich, also fuels division. Attacks often target specific ethnic groups, raising fears of ethnic cleansing.
Criminal Exploitation: Armed groups—some branded bandits, others terrorists—have capitalized on the chaos, using it as cover for looting, kidnapping, and murder.
Security Failures: Critics, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have lambasted the federal government for repeated lapses. Amnesty International has demanded a full probe into why violence persists despite heavy military presence.
Socioeconomic Struggles: With poverty and unemployment rampant, especially in rural areas, extremist groups find easy recruits among disillusioned youth.
Responses: Promises and Pressure
The latest attacks have drawn swift—if familiar—responses from both state and federal authorities.
President Bola Tinubu condemned the violence and ordered a crackdown, while the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) began distributing aid. Two suspects were arrested by April 16, and the Inspector-General of Police deployed tactical units to the hardest-hit areas.
Still, for many Plateau residents, words and deployments are no longer enough.
NANS has called for relocating military command to the state, while civil groups like the Northern CAN and the Arewa Consultative Forum are demanding a long-term, inclusive solution. Governor Mutfwang, for his part, is urging unity and pledging justice—while warning against divisive rhetoric that pits communities against one another.
What Now?
Plateau’s agony is a mirror held up to Nigeria’s broader security dilemma. The country currently ranks sixth on the 2025 Global Terrorism Index. Analysts warn that unless Nigeria commits to deep structural reform—fixing its security apparatus, promoting equitable development, and fostering genuine political inclusion—these tragedies will keep repeating.
The stories from the ground are gut-wrenching. Villages like Ruwi, Mangor, and Hurti are not just names on a map—they’re homes, now reduced to ashes. Survivors are living with trauma, grief, and a gnawing uncertainty about what tomorrow might bring.
As the world watches, one thing is clear: the people of Plateau State deserve more than just sympathy. They deserve peace—and the unwavering political will to make it a reality.
Sources: Punch Newspapers, Reuters, Daily Trust, HumAngle, NBC News, Vanguard News, Channels TV, Arise TV.
Arsenal vs Real Madrid: Champions League Clash Set to Ignite
One of the most eagerly awaited matchups in this season’s Champions League is just around the corner as Arsenal get ready to take on Real Madrid. After a dominant 3-0 win in the first leg, Arsenal go into the return fixture with a strong advantage and are widely seen as favorites to advance.
But with Real Madrid, nothing is ever certain. The Spanish giants have built a reputation for epic comebacks on Europe’s biggest stage, and the word “remontada” is already making the rounds. Players like Jude Bellingham have expressed their belief in turning the tie around, leaning on the club’s proud history of defying the odds.
Tensions are running high, not just on the pitch but off it too. Arsenal fans are caught between hope and nerves, while Madrid supporters are rallying behind their team with confident talk and spirited social media banter. It all adds to the buzz surrounding what’s shaping up to be a truly electric night of football.
This isn’t just a game — it’s a battle of mental strength, legacy, and belief.
In a bombshell revelation that’s rocked Nigeria’s crypto scene, allegations have surfaced that an administrator of CBEX—a once-popular digital asset trading platform—transferred a jaw-dropping $822 million (over 1 trillion Naira) into a private Ethereum wallet. The reports, which emerged on April 15, 2025, have sparked widespread panic and fueled fears that the platform is in full-blown collapse.
Allegations Spark Panic
The controversy exploded after users on X (formerly Twitter) began sharing claims that a CBEX admin had quietly moved the massive sum, igniting outrage across the community. One viral post summed up the mood: “CBEX run people street o!”—a Nigerian phrase implying investors were duped. Although the allegations haven’t been officially confirmed, they’ve only added fuel to growing suspicions that something was amiss with the platform.
According to local media, CBEX promised unrealistic returns—up to 100% profit within 30 days. On April 14, just one day before the massive transfer was reported, the platform suddenly crashed. Users found themselves locked out of their accounts, with many turning to social media to share emotional videos, claiming they’d lost everything. Some estimates peg total losses at over 1.3 trillion Naira.
Warning Signs Were There
Red flags had been waving for days. On April 11, users began sounding alarms on X, suggesting CBEX might be a Ponzi scheme. One user shared how someone allegedly turned a $1,000 investment into $5,000—a classic sign of a high-risk, unsustainable payout model. Despite these concerns, defenders of CBEX argued the platform was merely experiencing delays and would resume operations on April 15.
But the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had already labeled CBEX an unregistered and illegal entity, violating local financial laws. Experts noted the platform’s website bore an uncanny resemblance to legitimate exchanges like ByBit, possibly to deceive users. Investigators believe funds deposited into CBEX were funneled through Tron (TRX), converted to USDT, and then moved to Ethereum, suggesting an attempt to cover the money trail.
$822 Million Transfer: Real or Rumor?
So far, there’s no on-chain data to confirm the alleged $822 million transfer. No wallet address or transaction ID has been linked to the claim, leading some to question its authenticity. Still, the timing—coinciding with CBEX’s crash—has seen credibility to the theory among anxious investors.
If true, it would rank as one of the biggest crypto-related frauds Nigeria has ever seen. For context, Singapore reported $822 million in total scam losses for all of 2024—with crypto scams accounting for about 25%. That one Nigerian platform could allegedly move that amount is staggering.
Rage on the Ground and Silence from CBEX
On the streets, the backlash has been intense. In Ibadan, furious investors reportedly stormed a CBEX office, looting furniture, electronics, and even solar panels in a desperate attempt to reclaim losses. Online, X has become a war zone of accusations, grief, and demands for justice. Through it all, CBEX has remained conspicuously silent.
Some users who reached out through Telegram said they received vague or dismissive responses. The platform’s earlier claim of holding a Money Services Business (MSB) license—once flaunted as proof of legitimacy—is now widely seen as meaningless.
A Wake-Up Call for Nigeria’s Crypto Space
The CBEX crisis is unfolding amid a broader crackdown on unlicensed crypto operators in Nigeria. The SEC’s actions reflect rising concern about fraud in the largely unregulated digital asset space. If CBEX is indeed a scam, the fallout could deal a serious blow to public confidence—even as reputable exchanges like ByBit and BitMart continue global operations.
Globally, crypto markets have been volatile. Ethereum, reportedly the network used in the alleged CBEX transfer, has dropped nearly 30% this month, now hovering around $1,400. Earlier this year, ByBit itself was targeted in a $1.46 billion ETH wallet heist, highlighting the broader risks facing the industry.
What Now for CBEX Investors?
Unfortunately, the road ahead looks bleak for CBEX users. Without clear regulatory backing or a recovery plan, getting their money back may be a long shot. Experts urge affected individuals to gather all transaction records and communication logs in case legal action becomes viable.
CBEX’s downfall serves as a harsh lesson about the dangers of too-good-to-be-true promises in the crypto world. As one X user bluntly put it: “You must learn a lesson.”
For now, Nigeria’s crypto community is left reeling—waiting for answers, accountability, and a path forward that may never come.
Disclaimer: The $822 million transfer has not been independently verified. Readers are advised to treat such claims with caution until confirmed by reliable sources.
Sources:
BBC News, April 15, 2025
Punch Newspapers, April 15, 2025
Medium, April 15, 2025
Punch Newspapers, April 11–13, 2025
Yahoo News, February 25, 2025
Bleeping Computer, February 21, 2025
Posts on X, April 15, 2025
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