Moscow joins nationwide “Hands Off” protests 

Over 400 people gathered in Friendship Square on Saturday for Moscow’s Hands Off! rally. Moscow’s event was one of many across the nation on April 4. 

Attendees brought their own signs or were invited to make one at some of the tables. Some carried large banners, while others waved U.S., Canadian, Ukrainian and Palestinian flags. Even pets were participating — two dogs wore “Dogs Against DOGE” and “Beware of DOGE” signs. 

Hands Off Moscow was organized by Marilyn Beckett and Gretal Leibnitz, who founded Indivisible Moscow. They started planning Saturday’s event just two weeks ago. 

“People [are] coming together to help each other and make this happen, because everybody wanted it to happen,” Beckett said. “Coming together, protesting, marching, doing whatever they do across the country to let the world know that we the people are not going to tolerate what’s happening.” 

Attendance was multi-generational, from young children to college students, working professionals and parents to retirees. 

“We want to be able to engage the younger people, the people at UI … because it’s their world moving forward,” Beckett said. “It’s really very important for the younger generations to be a part of what’s happening right now, because the threats we are facing are real. They’re huge.” 

Some other groups in attendance included the League of Women Voters of Moscow, the University of Idaho Young Democratic Socialists of America and Extinction Rebellion. Multiple groups also tabled at the event. 

Nancy Chaney, who served as the Moscow city mayor from 2006-2014 and as a city council member before that, attended the protest. She said that events like this are a necessity today. 

“I’m astonished that a democracy can fall so far, so fast,” Chaney said. “It’s incumbent on all of us to speak out and to rally our local elected officials to speak to the local effects of what [President Trump’s] administration is doing. … This is just unconscionable, and we need to save our democracy.” 

The Moscow Volunteer Peace Band played upbeat music before a few community members gave speeches on various topics. 

D’Wayne Hodgin, a Vietnam War veteran, discussed mass federal layoffs. The layoffs have affected veterans and those who work for the Department of Veterans Affairs, causing delays in aid.  

“You fought for your country. You shouldn’t have to fight for your aid,” Hodgin said. 

Heather Stout, a co-founder of the Idaho Freedom to Read Alliance, represented Hands Off Libraries. She mentioned challenges facing public libraries and the upcoming May 20 Latah County Library District elections. 

“This week, the [Trump] administration shut down the Institute of Museum and Library Services,” Stout said. “In Idaho, 26% of the Idaho Commission for Libraries’ budget comes from IMLS. And here at home, without this funding, rural and underserved communities will lose access to books, access to programs, access to technology and essential services. We cannot let this happen.” 

Michael Riley, a retired teacher from Lincoln Middle School in Pullman, represented Hands Off Education. 

“Education has always been a controversial topic because it’s always been a tool to help people raise themselves out of poverty and out from under the heavy hand of injustice,” Riley said. “It’s always been difficult to agree on because it’s always been important.” 

Riya Kumar, the president of Sunrise Palouse, the UI branch of climate justice group Sunrise Movement, spoke about climate and energy. “It’s long been time to declare a climate emergency. Instead, Trump is making all effort to undermine any and all environmental legislation.” 

Paul Busch, the membership director of Friends of the Clearwater, represented Hands Off Public Lands. “I grew up in Idaho. I camped in the national forests. I worked in a national park. I’ve fished our public waters and rafted the rivers. And for those of us who live in Idaho, there are few things as deeply felt as our connection to public lands.” 

“Recently, Trump’s Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, … suggested that the Trump administration could eliminate America’s $33 trillion national debt by selling off public lands,” Busch said. “So, I just want to make something clear: The public’s land is not for sale. The public’s land is not collateral for a government to balance a budget, no matter how inept the government is at doing so.” 

Sara Zaske, one of the founders of Bans Off Moscow, a reproductive rights group, spoke for Hands Off Reproductive Rights.  

“If you don’t own the rights to your own body, there is not much you own,” Zaske said. 

Kathy Sprague and her wife Tabitha Simmons are the owners of Safari Pearl and the first same-sex couple to be legally married in Idaho. She emphasized the importance of being involved in the community and fostering relationships with neighbors. 

“Hold each other close. Love each other. Always show respect, even when they don’t,” she said. 

Julia Piaskowski runs the Idaho Prison Project and advocated for immigrants’ rights at the protest. “The last time [the Alien Enemies Act] was used was during Japanese internment. Is this what we want to repeat?” 

The Moscow event finished off with a march around town and closing marks back in Friendship Square. 

According to the Hands Off! organizers, over 1,300 protests occurred nationally at state capitols, parks, downtown streets and government buildings, with millions in attendance nationwide. Major cities were estimated to have had thousands or even tens of thousands at their respective events.   

Indivisible Moscow plans to continue organizing in the future. They aim to host meetings on the second Monday of each month, with the first on April 14 in the 1912 Center’s Big Room. 

Dakota Steffen can be reached at [email protected].