In a fiery show of defiance, tens of thousands took to the streets across the United States and Europe on Saturday, unleashing the largest wave of anti-Trump protests since his return to the White House.

From Washington’s National Mall to New York, Los Angeles, and London, demonstrators railed against Donald Trump’s aggressive downsizing of the government, crackdown on civil liberties and global trade wars.

The demonstrations were organized by a broad coalition of progressive groups under the banner “Hands Off,” with events held in over 1,000 locations across the US and even in parts of Europe. Issues cited by protestors ranged from government downsizing, civil liberties concerns, and abortion rights, to fears of economic instability due to aggressive trade measures.

In Washington, a large crowd gathered at the National Mall, with speakers from across the country criticizing what they described as a dangerous and authoritarian shift in American politics. Representative Jamie Raskin, who played a key role in Trump’s second impeachment, addressed the demonstrators, warning against a “dictator who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”

In New York, protestor Shaina Kesner criticized the leadership as privileged and unaccountable. Meanwhile, demonstrators in Los Angeles used creative symbolism, including dressing as characters from The Handmaid’s Tale to protest restrictive reproductive laws.

Across the Atlantic, rallies in cities such as London and Berlin echoed the disapproval. Protestors called out Trump’s foreign policies and his approach to global trade. In Berlin, one retiree went as far as to label Trump a “lunatic,” while others in London warned of global economic fallout.

One common thread across all protests was concern over the perceived erosion of civil rights and increasing authoritarian tendencies. Protestors warned against the jailing of opponents, attacks on immigrants, and pressure on democratic institutions. “We’re out here to stop the, honestly, fascism,” said Dominic Santella in Boston.

The economic direction under Trump also drew criticism. Many blamed his trade tariffs and diplomatic confrontations for market instability and international strain.

Despite the scale of the protests and dropping approval ratings, the White House has largely dismissed the unrest. President Trump remained defiant, stating, “My policies will never change,” reaffirming his stance on key issues.

On the occasion of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) foundation day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on the party’s transformative journey from modest beginnings to securing historic electoral mandates.

In a message to the nation, PM Modi underlined the consistent endorsement the BJP has received from the people of India, attributing it to the party’s agenda of good governance.

The prime minister extended his greetings to BJP workers across the country, acknowledging their pivotal role in shaping the party. “This important day makes us reiterate our unparalleled commitment to India’s progress and to realising the dream of a Viksit Bharat,” he said in a series of social media posts.

Modi emphasized that the BJP’s track record in governance has been instrumental in building public trust. “The people of India are seeing the good governance agenda of our party, reflected in the historic mandates we’ve received — be it in Lok Sabha, state Assembly, or local body elections,” he said.

Praising the grassroots efforts of BJP workers, Modi said their relentless service, especially towards the poor and marginalized, is a source of inspiration. “Their energy and enthusiasm are truly motivating,” he added.

Founded in 1980 from the remnants of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the BJP initially had a modest presence, contesting its first general election in 1984 and winning only two Lok Sabha seats. However, under the leadership of figures like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani, the party quickly gained traction, eventually forming the government in the 1990s. The BJP’s political dominance strengthened significantly under Modi, who led the party to a full majority in 2014 and has remained at the helm since then.

The Central government on Saturday convened a crucial meeting with representatives of Manipur’s warring Meitei and Kuki communities in a renewed push to establish lasting peace in the troubled state. According to reports, the dialogue was part of a broader initiative to broker a harmonious resolution to the ethnic strife that erupted in May 2023, leaving the region in turmoil.

The meeting, held in New Delhi, focused on building trust and fostering cooperation between the two groups while charting a path toward restoring normalcy in Manipur. “The discussions emphasized maintaining law and order and promoting reconciliation to heal the deep divisions,” reports revealed. The goal was to create a roadmap that addresses the root causes of the conflict and ensures stability for all communities.

The Meitei delegation included six members, representing key organizations such as the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO) and the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS). The Kuki side was represented by approximately nine leaders. The Central Government team was led by A.K. Mishra, a retired special director of the Intelligence Bureau, who served as an interlocutor in the talks.

This effort follows earlier statements by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a Lok Sabha debate on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Responding to a discussion on a Statutory Resolution confirming the imposition of the President’s rule in Manipur, Shah disclosed that the Ministry of Home Affairs had previously held separate consultations with representatives of both communities and various organizations.

“We will soon organize a joint meeting to advance these efforts,” he assured, stressing that the government’s primary objective is to end the violence and restore peace, even as he acknowledged that the situation, while improved with no deaths reported in the last four months, remains far from satisfactory. Many displaced individuals are still living in relief camps, he noted.

President’s rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13, 2025, after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned on February 9. The state assembly, with a term extending until 2027, has been placed under suspended animation. Since the outbreak of violence in May 2023, over 260 lives have been lost, and thousands of weapons were looted from police stations during the initial chaos, exacerbating the security crisis.

Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, who assumed office on January 3, 2025, and was hand-picked by Shah—having served as Union Home Secretary until August 2024—has been actively engaging with diverse groups across Manipur to gather insights and devise strategies for peace. Bhalla has taken several measures, including urging those who looted arms to surrender them, and has pushed to reopen state roads for normal traffic. However, these efforts have faced resistance, particularly from the Kuki community, which has opposed such moves.

The ethnic violence in Manipur was triggered by a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in the hill districts, protesting a Manipur High Court order supporting the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. This decision fueled tensions, leading to clashes between the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and the hill-dwelling Kukis. Today, movement between areas dominated by either community is strictly prohibited, with Kukis relying on routes through Mizoram to travel outside the state, while Meiteis avoid Kuki-dominated hills altogether.