Thousands of Texans gathered at the state capitol Saturday as part of a nationwide wave of “Hands Off” demonstrations, according to a Department of Public Safety official present. The protest was organized by 50501, a grassroots political organization founded online when Donald Trump began his second term, and addressed a variety of issues including economic instability, rising deportations and mass layoffs of federal workers.
Politicians like Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin), Rep. Greg Casar (D-Austin) and Austin City Councilmember Zo Quadri spoke to the crowd, where they advocated for mass mobilization against Trump’s policies.
One frequent target of criticism was Tesla CEO and billionaire Elon Musk, who recently failed to secure Republicans a seat on the Wisconsin State Supreme Court despite massive fundraising efforts and individual contributions. Doggett called out Musk by name, saying he was meddling with the democratic process.
“(We saw) Elon Musk spend $26 million for the most expensive cheese hat in American history,” Doggett said, referring to Musk wearing a giant cheese hat at a rally in Green Bay, shortly before the Supreme Court election.
Musk has also recently worked to purge the Social Security administration, with 7,000 layoffs planned, according to statements made by the Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency.
“(Musk) comes out here saying our kids are moochers, that our seniors who get $65 a day in social security checks are moochers,” Casar said. “(Meanwhile) Elon Musk gets $1 million a day in federal government contracts. The American people are done with this scheme.”
Eli Cortez, an activist with the homeless advocacy organization Vocal Texas, said the administration’s embrace of billionaires like Musk worries him. In the face of a cost of living crisis, he said the White House is now effectively compromised.
“People are struggling to survive,” Cortez said. “We’re reaching a moment in America where we’re having billionaires … enter our offices of public policy and start dictating how people who are struggling and working full time experience their day to day.”
UT students also came out to engage in the protest. Amongst them was Luca Reyes, president of the Austin chapter of Students for a Democratic Society, a national student activist organization. In the face of recent deportations of pro-Palestinian student activists, Reyes understands the fear of repression amongst his peers. However, he said their advocacy is more vital than ever.
“I can’t be afraid to do things like this, I can’t be afraid to speak out,” Reyes said. “Because if every person was afraid, nothing would get done.”
It was the fourth protest Alexandra Haddix, an organizer for 50501, has planned in Austin this year. Initially starting off on Reddit boards, the success of the Austin protests has wildly exceeded her expectations, and she said the turnout gives her hope for future grassroots organizing.
“The numbers today prove that America is on the side of the working class,” Haddix said. “It is people like you and me who stand up and demand change for the better.”
