By Liam Flanagan
This Saturday, April 5, 2025, Winston-Salem will host two protests: The Rally for Economic Justice and Hands Off! National Day of Action. Protestors will gather on North Main Street and outside the Hiram W. Ward Federal Building in downtown Winston-Salem, united behind a shared desire to be heard on politically divisive issues currently charging the nation.
Both protests are in political alignment, yet their focus is on slightly different concerns. The Hands Off! protestors are a part of a nationwide pro-democracy movement, primarily aimed at addressing concerns about the current administration. The event is one of many across the United States taking action on what has been deemed a “mass-mobilization day.” The topics most emphasized by the protest include safeguarding democratic integrity, protecting Social Security, and promoting environmental protections on the federal level.
The Hands Off! Protest is being organized by volunteer groups across the country who volunteered to host events, including Third Act, a community of politically active citizens over the age of 60.
Similarly, The Rally for Economic Justice opposes the Trump administration, yet expands its focus to additional topics such as corporate greed, healthcare and living wages, and equal opportunity. The rally’s leading goal is to secure a fair and just economy for all.
Both protests encourage attendees to make signs with empowering and/or informative messages. Some suggestions for catchphrases and slogans from the Rally for Economic Justice website include:
“Living Wage = Fair Wage”
“Economic Justice Now”
“Everyone Deserves a Fair Shot”
In interviews with several anonymous Atkins HS students, there was a majority pessimistic view on the impact of protests on federal policy. One student claimed, “I’ve lost faith in the idea that the government is looking down, seeing what people want,” referring to protests like Hands Off! as unsuccessful in “making any progress on the federal level.” Another claimed that it has to be of a large scale to make an impact, “100 versus 100,000 people, it needs to be sizable to make a real impact.”
Even without immediate policy changes, civil public protests can significantly impact local communities by fostering open dialogue, empowering marginalized voices, and educating the public, potentially influencing future election outcomes. By exposing different perspectives, protests like the ones this weekend can encourage more open-mindedness and understanding among community members and within politics, contributing to a less polarized national political discussion.
Those interested in attending either protest can RSVP through these links: