Photo by Michael Nigro/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images; James Willoughby/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Signs of disapproval from the Hands Off protests held in NYC and London on April 5, 2025.
Over the weekend, millions of Americans dashed into the streets, not for an impromptu marathon, but to express their disdain for Donald Trump’s presidency. The so-called “Hands Off” protests, spearheaded by a coalition of over 150 groups — yes, that’s a lot of coalition coffee breaks — spanned the LGBTQ+ community, labor unions, women’s rights aficionados, and civil rights defenders, all united in their quest for sanity. More than 1,200 rallies occurred across all 50 states, plus a few extra in Austria, France, Germany, Mexico, The Netherlands, Portugal, and the UK — just in case anyone in Europe had any doubts about their disapproval.
Since Trump’s triumphant return to the Oval Office—because apparently, “third time’s the charm”—the protests against his various schemes masked as policies have crescendoed. These include, but aren’t limited to, a strategic downsizing of the federal workforce (which sounds a lot like spring cleaning), immigration raids that could make you wonder if you accidentally wandered onto a dystopian movie set, and the unsettling glorification of billionaire Elon Musk’s escapades with our private data (what a fun roller coaster!). Clearly, this massive demonstration indicates that the resistance isn’t stretching out for a breather.
Now, these protests were remarkably peaceful, apparently devoid of any arrests. Yet when it came to the signs displayed, you might say the artists engaged in some delightful verbal sparring, which is a real treat for anyone who appreciates the healing power of schadenfreude. The creativity at these events showcased signs that were not just clever; they were a lyrical slap in the face wrapped in humor.
From adorable yet furious penguins marching for justice, to an emotionally charged sofa-related reference that demands attention, the signs weren’t shy about expressing their feelings. And if you thought words couldn’t be deadly, wait until you read how “Elon Musk got murdered by words”—it’s a new genre of literature. Here’s an overview of some of the most witty and delightfully petty signs that emerged from the weekend’s fervor, affirming that while the resistance is fired up, they’ve retained their comedic flair.
Among the highlights: “If Kamala were president, we’d all be brunching.” As if brunching is the ultimate utopia. Then there’s the puzzling yet relatable sentiment: “We’re all the couch now.” Let’s not even unpack that one. One protester hilariously remarked, “Wisconsin hates Elon so much it could be one of his kids,” which begs the question—how many kids does this state have? Not to mention the declaration, “Dear Trump: Devour feculence,” which surely won some kind of conceptual art award for its audacity.
For sheer ingenuity, one sign read, “They just are cute penguins!” Honestly, that sounds like it could be a motivational poster in a kindergarten classroom. And another classic, “Honk if you never drunk texted war plans,” hit a nerve with anyone who’s ever regretted sending a midnight message. Truly, these protesters take the art of sarcasm to new heights.
In sum, if anything’s clear from this weekend’s demonstrations, it’s that while Donald Trump may continue to play political chess, the protesters are just playing a different game altogether. A game filled with laughter, innovation, and an unyielding dedication to the dramatic irony of our times. With their signs in hand, these people declared their resistance, reminding us all that humor may indeed be the best form of protest. And if that doesn’t resonate politically, at least it’s a solid way to lighten the mood while handing out some much-deserved sass.
