Details on the April 5th National Day of Protest

American citizens and green card holders are being denied entrance back into the United States. Those allowed back in often have to hand over their mobile devices first for review. Republicans are refusing to attend town halls in their jurisdictions. American heroes like Colin Powell are being erased from government websites, and we're deporting individuals to countries not even their own, where they are imprisoned without committing a single crime. This doesn't even touch on dismantling government agencies that care for the most vulnerable populations.

Details on the April 5th Protest, also known as People's Veto Day and HANDS OFF National Day of Protest

Several readers have reached out to me asking for information on the April 5th National Day of Protest. Called the HANDS OFF National Day of Protest as well as the People's Veto Day, this is a nationwide protest with the largest group gathering in Washington, D.C.

Unlike previous protests this year, this protest is being organized by multiple organizations with a planned location and clearer information. Even so, without the news reporting on it, it's hard to get all the information needed to participate. I am no expert; I am getting all my information from the groups organizing this event:

• The HANDS OFF website and the groups partnering for this protest
• The April 5th protest page on the Women's March site
• The Indivisible site, promoting the April 5th protest
• The 50501 site promoting the April 5th protest
• The Rally page offering bus share to the April 5th DC protest
• The list on Mobilize of nationwide protests happening on April 5th
• The No Voice Unheard site where you can click on your state and find what events are happening April 5th
• Th!rd Act's page for the HANDS OFF protest

Whether or not you voted for this administration, you may be concerned with what is happening. And you may feel helpless or hopeless. But know an oligarchy does not govern us; The United States of America is still a republic, and we still have a voice if we join together to amplify our voice. This makes our country great; we can be frustrated about acts even if we support the party or politician and can voice our frustrations. It is American to protest; it is what made our country and was built into our Constitution.

When is the Hands Off National Protest People's Veto Day?

April 5, 2025, is the next nationwide protest. Hosted by Indivisible, Women's March, MoveOn, 50501, and more than a dozen other national and local activism groups, the “Hands Off” Day of Action, also known as the People's Veto Day is joining our voices to let the administration know we are not supporting its actions.

Hands off our Medicare and Medicaid. Hands off our Social Security and our personal data. Hands off Veteran services and our national parks. Hands off all the services, rights, and freedoms that truly make America great.

Where is the April 5th Hands Off People's Veto Day Protest?

The April 5th DC event is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Sylvan Theater on the grounds of the Washington Monument. However, folks are just encouraged to gather at the National Mall by noon. The hope is so many attend we will need all of this space.

Not everyone can get to D.C. on April 5, 2025. There may already be an event organized for the same day and time closer to your home; you can find already organized nationwide events at this link. If there isn't an event, at this link, you can learn how to host one.

Why Haven't I Heard of the April 5, 2025 Protest Until Now?

According to the Crowd Counting Consortium, more than 2,085 protests took place nationwide in February alone. Compare that to February 2017 of this president's first administration, which saw 937 protests. However, this year, the protests have been smaller because this go-round, they haven't been promoted on Meta platforms or mainstream news.

This isn't a conspiracy theory; who else remembers the many Facebook groups organizing the Women's March, Pantsuit Nation, and Indivisible? I remember seeing the back of my head on the NBC Nightly News as I walked the streets of DC during the Women's March. Now, in 2025, to see the protests happening across our country (and the globe), you need to follow the right people on platforms or search for news on alternative sites like Reddit and Bluesky.

Why Should I Participate in the Hands Off People's Veto Day 2025 Protest on April 5th?

Many of us have relatives who served in the military defending democracy overseas. Many of our relatives died defending democracy. How would they feel to know that we are now rolling over and letting democracy die here on our home turf?

What Should I Bring to the April 5th Protest?

I attended the February 17 President's Day Protest in D.C. It was a sunny but very cold and windy day. This was a smaller event, and I stayed for around two hours. Since the event wasn't very long, I didn't need a lot of supplies for comfort and safety. What I did bring:

• Comfortable waterproof shoes. The ground was very muddy in places, and some places were puddles of mud water. I was glad to wear my broken-in waterproof hiking boots with my favorite comfort insoles. The National Mall can be dry, and it can be a muddy mess. Prepare for mud and for being on your feet for a couple of hours.
• A sign. While there were people passing out small signs and American flags, I was glad to have a large sign. Signs make a crowd look larger, makes folks feel solidarity, and attracts press to take photos. No need to be fancy; folks had signs on pieces of cardboard boxes, the backside of science fair projects and old tarps, we even saw one guy make a pillar-like sign out of a long narrow IKEA box! No ideas? Search social media for messages and inspiration.
• Sunglasses and a face mask. These protests have been peaceful and safe so far but you never know when some jerks will try to ruin it and turn it into a dangerous situation. Consider both not just for sunny days and crowds, but fr protecting your identity if things go sideways.
• Sustenance. You don't know if you'll be there for an hour or five. Bring a protein bar or snack and water. I have a Vapur anti-bottle for water (available at REI, Staples, and big box retailers), and I clipped it to my crossbody with a carabiner. Once empty, I could roll it up and tuck it in my purse.
• Personal necessities. If you wear contacts, consider either wearing glasses or bring them as backup. Menstrual products, if applicable. Same with any meds, just in case you're away longer than expected. Consider bringing some wet wipes and/or T.P. in case you're stuck in a grody porta-potty.
• A hands-free bag. Backpacks can be sketchy as you can bump into folks and get pickpocketed more easily. I took the same nylon crossbody I took to the Women's March, and it was perfect.
  • Inside, I had a face mask, bandana, sunglasses, a phone charger, sunscreen (you can get burned even this time of year), lip balm, eye drops, and still in there from 2017, I had a laminated street map and an index card with emergency contact info in case my phone was dead/lost.
  • My phone has a SmarTrip card in the virtual wallet and rideshare apps.
  • I brought only my ID, my insurance card, and one credit card, along with $50 in cash. I left my keys at home (I caught a ride from my sister) and didn't wear any jewelry or accessories of value.
• Layers. D.C. weather is so temperamental. At the beginning of April, it likely will be between 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit, but it can be humid, incredibly windy, raining, or balmy and beautiful. Heck, it has even snowed in April. It also can be 40 degrees at 9 am and 80 degrees by 2 pm, so watch the forecast and dress in layers with your top layer something waterproof.

For additional information, and if you're worried that the event may be more dangerous than other ones so far in 2025, check out my post on what to wear to a protest march.

I encourage you to use the comments to share additional information about the April 5th HANDS OFF / The People's Veto Protest in Washington, D.C., and across the country. We have a voice, we have the right to share it, and our voices are amplified when we join together.

P.S. For those who are frustrated that I am writing about politics when I am a style blog, please see my activism archives. Wardrobe Oxygen has always been political, and fashion is and always has been political. From what we buy based on recessions and times of war, the reason certain colors are popular, to our hemlines and shoe toebox shapes, it is affected by politics.

I understand wanting a break from politics, but we live in a very important time where changes are happening daily. Taking a break can change our history overnight. If what is going on isn't affecting you, know it's coming and it makes sense to be informed, do your own research, check out a variety of news sources, and understand that you matter and if you're concerned, you are not alone.