MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WDTV) – On Saturday, April 5, thousands of demonstrators across the U.S. joined forces for the launch of the “Hands Off” movement—an expansive series of rallies aimed at opposing what organizers call government overreach under the Trump administration.
The day of action spanned all 50 states, encompassing more than 1,300 demonstrations and uniting over 150 advocacy groups. These organizations represent a broad spectrum of interests, including civil rights, veterans’ affairs, labor unions, women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as crucial public programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
West Virginia saw strong participation, with gatherings held in Charleston, Clarksburg, Fairmont, and Morgantown. Many of the local events were spearheaded by Mountaineers Indivisible, a grassroots nonprofit group focused on civic engagement and policy accountability.
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“We’ve had an incredible turnout,” said Shayla Klein, Volunteer Secretary for Mountaineers Indivisible. “Listening to the speakers and feeling the support of this community has been truly uplifting.”
Among those who addressed the crowd in Morgantown was Justin Tarovisky, president of Local Union 420 at FCC Hazelton. He voiced concern over recent executive orders that impact collective bargaining rights for federal workers.
“I’m here to support my fellow union members—not only those at FCC Hazelton but also workers at NIOSH and other federal employees affected by last week’s orders,” Tarovisky said. “These actions have stripped collective bargaining rights nationwide, and we won’t stand by silently.”
Tarovisky emphasized the importance of union protections for federal correctional officers and other workers, especially in dealing with workplace accusations and policy changes that impact day-to-day operations.
“Our union is there to advocate for basic rights—whether it’s defending someone against false accusations or negotiating terms around vacation and grooming policies. These aren’t just perks, they’re part of our agreements,” he explained. “To claim these roles fall under national security as a way to eliminate union protections is nothing more than a targeted attack on civil servants.”
As protests continue, organizers hope to maintain momentum and raise public awareness about the impact of federal decisions on working families and essential government programs.