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Thousands of demonstrators chanting slogans and waving signs against President Donald Trump and his policies convened in Center City Philadelphia on Saturday for the “Hands Off!” protest.

The action, which attracted people from the Greater Philadelphia area, was part of a nationwide movement organized by the 50501 Movement in collaboration with various advocacy groups. It was also the first major opposition to Trump’s policies and his administration.

The signs carried by protesters took particular aim at Elon Musk, the richest man in the world and who, as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, has played a lead role in downsizing government agencies

“Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and their billionaire cabinet are trying to rig our economy against working Americans so they can deliver trillions in giveaways to their billionaire buddies,” U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., said to the crowd. “We must fight back and ensure every American knows how Republicans are betraying middle-class families. I look forward to standing alongside my Philadelphia neighbors to show Trump we won’t accept his far-right agenda.”

The protest kicked off at noon at City Hall, and the crowd proceeded to march to Independence Mall, following a route along Market Street, leading to temporary road closures and traffic disruptions. Police presence was considerably smaller than many past protests, with most of the visible officers tasked with directing traffic.

At Independence Mall, a diverse lineup of speakers addressed the crowd in addition to Boyle, including state Sens. Vincent Hughes and Chris Rabb, City Councilmember Rue Landau, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and Kadida Kenner, of the New Pennsylvania Project.

Rallygoers came in from around the region to object to a host of issues, from mass federal layoffs and cuts to social services to attacks on immigrants and transgender rights. SEPTA ran on a regular schedule but added cars to some Paoli/Thorndale and Media/Wawa trains to help accommodate “heavier-than-usual travel,” according to a SEPTA spokesperson.

“I’m concerned about our democracy. It feels like it’s slipping away,” said Todd Hart, a retired architect from Ardmore. “I’m both scared and angry. I never thought that I’d have to worry about this in this country. “

He added that joining the rally and seeing that “other people are of the same mind” helped.

“It gives me some hope we could head it off, but I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t know.”

For retiree Kelly Bliss, looming cuts to Medicaid drove her to join the rally.

“I was a social worker for 40 years and I know what Medicaid does for people and it kind of sickens my stomach to see that they’re cutting that for the most vulnerable, and we know damn well the money’s going to go to a tax cut for the rich,” she said.

She called Medicaid “the only way to get mental health treatment for anybody with serious mental health issues, who isn’t a millionaire.”

“The people who are suffering the most will lose the treatment that helps them keep their sanity,” she said.

Mexican-born American citizen Gabriela Sykes criticized “cruel” deportations that have split up immigrant families.

“Regardless of what party you are, separating kids from their parents is not right,” she said. “Immigrants are not criminals, the president is.”

Her husband Norman, who joined her at the protest, said he was “appalled at the aspect of having so many social services reduced, eliminated, or privatized.”

“I’ve been a physician in Philadelphia and now in Maine for 34 years and about two-thirds of my patients depend on Medicare, Medicaid and/or Social Security,” he said. “The prospect of seeing that disappear is as horrifying as is the prospect of our potential invasion of Greenland and World War III among many other things.”

Many protesters declined interviews, expressing fear about being targeted, citing news about activists being “doxxed” and foreign students being deported. A young transgender woman, who agreed to speak under the pseudonym “Ashley,” said it’s a “scary world out there.”

“You could become a political figure by accident and have people hounding your home,” she said. “I’m just trying to keep a lower profile, but still have my voice be heard.

She said she’s “viciously mad at the people” taking away rights.

“We’re losing our human rights,” she told WHYY News. “We’re losing our infrastructure. We’re losing our post offices, our libraries, our education, our health care.”

Rabb attempted to speak directly to people such as Ashley, who are living in fear.

“But please understand that we are the ones who are inspiring fear in those f**kers,” he told the crowd. “Don’t get it twisted. They are afraid of us because we are mighty.”

In addition to Philadelphia, “Hands Off!” took place across Pennsylvania and the nation, including in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, West Chester, Doylestown, Allentown, Media and Erie.

Nationally, the movement resonated in major urban centers. In Washington, D.C., the National Mall became a focal point, with speakers such as Reps. Jamie Raskin and Ilhan Omar addressing a crowd of many thousands.

Editor’s Note: This story was revised after initial publication for clarity.