Hundreds in Billings say "Hands Off!" as part of national protest

Hundreds of people in Billings added their voices Saturday to a national demonstration against the current president’s administration and his partnership with the billionaire who funded his campaign. Approximately 1,000 protesters gather around the Yellowstone County Courthouse in Downtown Billings on Saturday afternoon during the national "Hands Off" protest. Signs on both sides of North 27th Street flanking the Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn decried Elon Musk’s ambitions to gut the federal workforce, expressed solidarity with Indigenous people and lambasted the trade war ignited by President Donald Trump.

To the west, thousands of people joined in protests in Missoula and Helena . “When you grow up Indigenous in America,” said Charlene Sleeper before a crowd gathered on the courthouse lawn, “you’re taught from a very young age to mistrust the U.S.



government and hold them accountable.” Those in opposition to the latest administration hosted “Hands Off!” rallies throughout the United States on Saturday. Along with decrying the president’s social and economic policies, protestors also criticized Musk’s unelected role in heading the Department of Government Efficiency.

Tens of thousands of government employees have been laid off at the recommendation of DOGE, and thousands more are expected to follow. Musk found a seat of power in the U.S.

government after the South African tycoon contributed more than a quarter of a billion dollars into the president’s 2024 campaign. People in a car show solidarity for protesters during the national "Hands Off" protest. Federal agencies caught in the crosshairs of Musk’s DOGE have included the Social Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.

Most recently in Montana, slashes in federal funding derailed grants for Humanities Montana, and reduced the workforce at Rocky Mountain Laboratories, according to reporting from Lee Montana Newspapers. Between Tesla and SpaceX, Musk’s own financial empire has benefited from over $30 billion in government subsidies, the Washington Post reported. Sleeper, whose Indigenous name is Red Eagle Fan Woman, called out a recent announcement from the FBI promising dozens of personnel to be committed to address violent crimes on Indigenous land nationwide, including the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous people.

The announcement, she said, inappropriately gave the Trump Administration credit that belonged the grassroots activists who have spent decades vying for resources from the federal government. “Him trying to take credit for it was enraging,” she said. Janice Ricci Roberts has a son who depends on the VA for health care and a daughter-in-law who is a federal employee.

She took her spot in Saturday’s rally on the west side of North 27th Street with a sign that read, “Congress: Stand Up! For The People.” The 77-year-old, who could recall her part in protesting against the Vietnam War, said silence weakens democracy. Approximately 1,000 protesters gather around the Yellowstone County Courthouse in Downtown Billings on Saturday afternoon during the national "Hands Off" protest.

“Billings has always been a working man’s town,” she said, “Billings is not a wealthy town. If any of us say that what we do or what we say does not make a difference, then we are weakening our democracy. And that attitude can be contagious.

” Roberts, the daughter of a World War II veteran and the mother of two men who served in the military, said she had an obligation to speak out in defense of democracy akin to the oath her father and sons took to defend the Constitution. “Anybody who hasn’t been impacted yet, they're going to be,” she said, “if this continues.” It's a sentiment shared by Sleeper.

Aside from attending Saturday’s rally as a human rights activist, Sleeper wanted those driving or walking past the courthouse to take to heart the potential threat the Trump Administration poses to public lands. In February, recently confirmed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued a series of orders entitled “Unleashing American Energy.” The orders signaled that federal lands will be subjected to more energy exploration and production.

In March, a statement from Trump threatened the removal national monuments, despite the efforts of Indigenous activists. The Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments, both located in California, were established by former President Joe Biden. One goal fact sheet from the Trump Administration, which has been removed, called for, “Terminating proclamations declaring nearly a million acres constitute new national monuments that lock up vast amounts of land from economic development and energy production.

” “I feel like people in Montana aren’t taking it as serous as it is,” she said. “It’s threatening Montanans' very way of life, and that’s all Montanans. If we lose access to our public lands, we lose everything.

” "If any of us say that what we do or what we say does not make a difference, then we are weakening our democracy. And that attitude can be contagious.” Janice Ricci Roberts, 77, daughter of a WWII veteran and mother of 2 sons who served in the US military MORE INSIDE: See related stories on PAGE A3, A5 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

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