‘Hands Off!’ rally in Gallup
challenges Trump’s agenda

GALLUP

Protesters who expressed dismay at the Trump Administration’s recent policy shifts gathered Saturday to voice concerns.

Approximately 150 protesters participated in the rally here. The “Hands Off!” rally is part of a national movement challenging the administration’s approach to various federal services.

Beatrice Nunez, the rally’s lead organizer, explained the protest’s core mission.

“We are telling Trump and Elon Musk that we want their hands off our government, veteran services, Medicaid, vaccines, and national parks,” Nunez explained.

The event was part of a more significant national demonstration, with Nunez noting over 1,200 sites participating nationwide. While the primary rally took place in Washington, D.C., local activists created their platform to express dissent.

Alarm over sweeping federal overhauls

The Hands Off! rallies were held across the U.S. and internationally to protest the Trump Administration’s policies, particularly those involving significant cuts to federal programs and the perceived consolidation of power by President Donald Trump and his ally, Elon Musk. The protests oppose actions including canceling over $12 billion in health funding, mass layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education, and defunding cultural institutions.

Nunez highlighted specific concerns about rapid and extensive government changes.

“Trump has been in office less than 100 days, and they’re going through everything with a chainsaw, firing people randomly,” she said.

She was particularly critical of efforts to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, citing the removal of the Navajo Code Talkers from a government website as a significant point of contention.

“We were just getting to the point where equality was becoming normalized, and now we’re going backward,” Nunez emphasized, stressing the importance of maintaining a multicultural approach to governance.

Braving the weather to stand for rights

Even during snowfall, the rally’s sustained attendance demonstrated community commitment to the cause. Nunez viewed this as a clear signal that participants deeply care about the issues being addressed.

Emma Albert, a 70-year-old retired Diné elder, delivered a powerful message at a recent Social Security advocacy rally about the potential threats to the program under the Trump Administration.

“I’ve worked at least 45 years of my life. That’s more than half of my lifetime,” Albert declared. “Social Security is not welfare. It is not free money like Trump’s Administration claims it is. They don’t understand anything about Social Security.”

With a career that spans multiple jobs, Albert emphasized the program’s significance.

“It pays my electric bill, my water bill, my propane bill, and if I’m lucky, I can buy a brand-new pair of shoes,” she explained. “It also provides food for my table.”

Her experience navigating complex Social Security regulations after her husband’s death forced her to understand how the system works.

“I could not connect his Social Security at that time,” she recalled. “They told me I have my own Social Security. I’m still employed, so I can just keep going.”

Supporters push back against criticism

Not everyone attended the rally to protest Trump. Supporters invited themselves to the protest, carrying flags to support President Trump.

Jason Joe, from Standing Rock, N.M., and the McKinley County Republican chair, defended the Trump Administration’s approach to government programs during the Hands Off! Rally, arguing that many federal initiatives require significant restructuring.

“Trump is trying to fix everything that’s been neglected,” Joe explained.

He specifically highlighted immigration and economic challenges, suggesting the administration is addressing long-standing systemic problems.

Regarding federal program cuts, Joe maintained a pragmatic stance.

“The program itself does need revamping,” he said, particularly referencing veteran services. He argued that government spending has historically been inefficient and that the current administration is identifying where funds are misallocated.

When questioned about removing the Navajo Code Talkers from government websites, Joe offered a technical explanation.

“I don’t know if it was purposely to hurt Native Americans or Navajos, but I do know that if you are working on a website, it is easier to pull it down to work on it and then put it back up,” Joe explained. “The amount of time that it was taken down and then it was back up kind of coincides with how long it takes to work on a site and then have it back up.”

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