Participants in the "Hands Off" rally marched from the Cook County Courthouse to Harbor Park, carrying signs supporting healthcare, education, veterans’ services, and civil rights. All photos by Haley Brickner. 

By Haley Brickner - Boreal Community Media - April 7, 2025

More than 300 people gathered on April 5 at the Cook County Courthouse and marched to Harbor Park as part of the Hands Off! National Day of Action, a nationwide protest calling out threats to public services, civil liberties, and democracy. The event was one of over 1,200 held throughout all 50 states, along with several in cities across Europe. According to some sources, the movement brought in around 5.2 million people, with reports of peaceful protests and no immediate arrests.

The event, hosted by Arrowhead Indivisible, was opened by longtime local advocate Pat Campanaro, who welcomed the crowd and set the tone for the event. In her opening remarks, Campanaro called for a peaceful protest and stated the reasons for the movement: "Hands Off! signifies a rejection of the corruption, lawlessness, and predatory politics associated with the Trump-Musk administration.” Her words conveyed the attendees' collective concern regarding the state of democracy and a call to protect the most vulnerable, which were central themes of the rally. 

A lineup of speakers included Anne Brataas, Reverend Enno Limvere, Olya Wright, Sanda Oslin, Dune Arrowsmith, Margaret Hedstrom, Kari Golden, Marco Good, Dr. Alexys Hillman, and Craig Peterson. In their speeches, they addressed various issues and their concerns, from cuts to funding and healthcare access to veterans’ services, LGBTQ+ rights, and the environment. Many shared the impacts they’ve witnessed or experienced along the North Shore. Local musician and activist Kari Golden shared her personal journey through abuse and poverty, and identified a comparison of Trump’s leadership style to that of her self-serving and cruel, abusive father.

One speaker detailed the dismantling of the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) following President Trump’s executive order, which called for shrinking seven federal agencies. IMLS is a small agency that funds libraries, including those in Minnesota, which allocates money for interlibrary loan systems, eBooks, digital archives, and more. Without it, there are concerns that local and school libraries will be forced to make cuts that could impact the community. 

Dr. Alexys Hillman, a local physician, Army veteran, and member of the LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities, delivered a statement about the growing fear and uncertainty she’s hearing from her patients, particularly those who are transgender. “My trans friends and patients… are stockpiling their medications and taking half doses in order to make their stash last,” she said. Others, she noted, have already lost their jobs—and with them, their health insurance—because of current policies. 

 Dr. Alexys Hillman speaks about the impacts she's heard of from patients about of federal cuts on healthcare, LGBTQ+ rights, and veterans.

She also spoke about her concerns on the rise of antisemitism from both the right and the left, reflecting on the troubling shift in spaces where Jewish voices were once welcomed. “Societies must be judged by how they treat the most vulnerable of their members, and so far it's not boding well,” she said.

A letter was read on behalf of Tor Torkildson, a disabled Navy veteran from Hovland, who shared his gratitude for a now-threatened PTSD support program through the VA. He wrote, “I fear this and other programs will be cut, and the VA will not be able to help our veterans who certainly paid their dues properly, and many suffer as a result. Our veterans deserve better.”

One of the protest's younger voices, college student Olya Wright, shared her fears of losing financial aid, research opportunities, and environmental protections under Trump’s administration. She also expressed her concern for the safety of her Ukrainian family members, given the shifting U.S. foreign policy.

The courthouse portion of the event concluded with remarks from Vietnam veteran Craig Peterson, who expressed urgency to attendees to take action and not sit idly by. “We need to stand up. Do something to save our country.” Desmond Tutu said, ‘Do your little bit of good where you are. It's those little bits of good together that overwhelm the world.’ So, please, do something. Do anything. Do anything to dismantle this evil regime. Start now. Act. Make good trouble.”

 Demonstrators make their way to Harbor Park.

The march from the Cook County Courthouse to Harbor Park involved participants carrying handmade signs, chanting, and walking shoulder-to-shoulder through downtown Grand Marais. The group drew supportive honks and waves as it made its way to the waterfront, where the rally continued with speakers and music.

A group of approximately six pro-Trump protestors with signs gathered near Harbor Park. One person’s sweatshirt read, “Trump is my President,” with another holding a sign that said, “Less hate, less waste, more DOGE.” According to event attendees, neither group interacted with the other. 

A group of approximately six pro-Trump protestors with signs gathered near Harbor Park.

Moving forward, Arrowhead Indivisible is continuing its mission of inspiring and empowering each other to create change. The group is gathering personal narratives for its “100 Stories Project,” which highlights real-life experiences of individuals affected by federal policies. To learn more, visit the Arrowhead Indivisible website here.