'Hands Off' protest at Minnesota State Capitol for Earth Day
Activists rally for the environment ahead of Earth Day
Protesters gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol to speak out against climate change and what they say is the Trump administration's role in it.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Protesters gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul Saturday in a follow-up to the "Hands Off" protest from earlier in April.
This protest, happening ahead of Earth Day, focused on the Trump administration's role in climate change.
People's Earth Day Coalition march
Aerial footage of Earth Day rally at MN State Capitol [RAW]
Earth Day activists joined protesters with the Hands Off coalition at the Minnesota State Capitol.
What they're saying:
The protest at the Minnesota State Capitol was organized by The People's Earth Day Coalition, which is made up of local activist groups.
The Minnesota State Patrol said there were about 8,000 to 10,000 people present at the protest.
Organizers say they want to build on the momentum of the "Hands Off" protests that took place nationwide on April 5.
For Earth Day, protesters are rallying to bring attention to the impacts of climate change, and rallying against the Trump administration's role in it, according to a press release from The People's Earth Day Coalition.
"Once you take away the environment, once you start clear-cutting trees, you don't get that back," said Donna Eich, a woman who was protesting the event. "It's precious resources we have."
The People's Earth Day Coalition is made up of these groups: Climate Justice Committee, Elders Climate Action, Families Against Military Madness (FAMM), Green Party Of Minnesota, Third Act MN, Three Waters Pipeline Resistance Team, Veterans For Peace MN, and MN 50501.
National ‘50501’ protests
50501 Movement protest in St. Paul
People in all 50 states are taking part in a planned protest on Feb. 5 against Project 2025 and executive orders that President Donald Trump has signed so far. FOX 9’s All Day has a live look at the turnout at the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul.
Big picture view:
More than 700 events were planned across the U.S. to protest the Trump administration.
Most of the events are organized under the 50501 movement, which stands for 50 protests, 50 states, one day.
The protests focused on community action in the wake of President Trump’s policies on immigration, transgender rights and other marginalized people in America.