BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A wave of resistance swept across the country this weekend as thousands gathered in more than 1,200 cities to protest policies and actions taken by the Trump administration. Baton Rouge was no exception. On Saturday, hundreds of demonstrators marched to the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol for the “Hands Off!” protest, demanding what they describe as protection for democracy and calling on lawmakers — both Democratic and Republican — to act. “The very bedrock of this nation is at risk,” said Connor Welch, an organizer with Indivisible Baton Rouge. “Right now, we are in a constitutional crisis, and we’re demanding our Democratic leaders and Republican leaders alike to take action.” Chants of “This is what democracy looks like” and “This is what love looks like” echoed through the capital grounds as participants held signs high, protesting a wide range of federal decisions — from the rollback of transgender protections and immigration crackdowns to threats against healthcare funding and the firing of federal workers. Welch accused the administration of bypassing the legislative process altogether. “We’ve seen that Trump does not legislate the way our founding fathers intended. He governs through executive order, ignores court orders, and is acting like a total king right now,” Welch said. For many, the protest was deeply personal. Lessie Burnett-Freeman, a Baton Rouge resident, said she showed up because of what she believes are attacks on basic rights. “What I see happening is voting rights being attacked," said Burnett-Freeman. "Civil rights are being attacked. People are losing their jobs, and care that has been deserved and earned by the elderly is being taken away.” Though the White House has responded to similar protests by reaffirming President Trump’s commitment to preserving key social programs, many remain unconvinced. Among those criticizing the administration’s approach was former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “He has taken, as you can see, a chainsaw to the very foundation of American government. And in the process, he’s cutting vital services like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid — putting our seniors in harm’s way,” Landrieu said. Organizers in Baton Rouge said Saturday’s event is just the beginning. They plan to hold a town hall with Louisiana state senators to continue pushing for accountability and action. Latest News Which airports had the most delays and cancellations in 2024? Baton Rouge joins nationwide 'Hands Off!' rally against Trump administration Which Atlantic hurricane names have been retired? This Week in Louisiana Politics: amendments, tariffs, and goodbye Al Green says he’ll present articles of impeachment against Trump in next 30 days ...read more read less