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Hundreds — perhaps thousands — of Long Islanders gathered in the rain in Port Jefferson Station, Patchogue and other locations on Saturday to protest against President Donald Trump’s policies and administration.
The local “Hands Off!” rallies were among numerous demonstrations in New York and hundreds across the country. They came in wake of two days of big losses on Wall Street that followed the president’s announcement of steep tariffs against U.S. trading partners.
More than 1,200 “Hands Off!” demonstrations were planned by more than 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, labor unions, LBGTQ+ advocates, veterans and elections activists, organizers said, with at least one protest planned in each of the 50 states.
Hundreds of Long Islanders participated in a "Hands Off!" protest Saturday in Port Jefferson Station — held in and around Train Car Park at the intersection of Route 112 and Route 347. The protesters are critical of the broad actions the White House has taken since President… pic.twitter.com/D9k72tuxjf
— Greater Long Island 📰 (@Greater_LI) April 5, 2025
The protesters are critical of the broad actions the White House has taken since Trump took office in January, including plans to lay off thousands of federal workers, close Social Security Administration field offices, significantly scale back certain agencies, deport immigrants, reduce protections for transgender individuals, and cut federal funding for health programs, as well as the trade penalties imposed on U.S. allies.
Regarding the rallies, the White House said in a statement that “President Trump’s position is clear: he will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the Democrats’ stance is giving Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare benefits to illegal aliens, which will bankrupt these programs and crush American seniors.”
On Oak Street in Patchogue — outside of Congressman Andrew Garbarino’s downtown office — protestors filled the sidewalks on both sides of the road.
Participants held signs with such messages as, “Is This Great? It Doesn’t Feel Great” and “Make America Think Again,” criticizing Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.
At the protest in Port Jefferson Station, participants chanted slogans and held signs with messages such as “America Was Great,” “Democracy Not Dictator,” “Hands Off Our Democracy” and “Hands Off Social Security.” Many passersby waved and honked in support or rolled their windows down to shout their approval, while other drivers slowed down to adamantly express their disagreement.
The line of protesters stretched about a quarter-mile along the souther side of Route 347, east of Route 112.
A “Hands Off!” protest also took place in Mineola.
