Phoenix’s ‘Hands Off’ protest at the Capitol: What to know

The nationwide movement protesting the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s grip over the U.S. government is organizing another demonstration at the Arizona Capitol on Saturday. It will be the fourth such protest since President Donald Trump’s inauguration, and organizers of the “50501 movement” claim it will be the biggest yet.

Using Reddit — and later, a website of their own — grassroots organizers arranged the first 50501 protest on Feb. 7, the “No Kings on Presidents’ Day” protest on Feb. 17 and the “March Fourth Against Monarchy” demonstration on March 4. All were held in front of the Arizona Capitol.

The people are taking it to the streets. Saturday will see one of the largest single days of coordinated defiance, as people push back against the Trump administration's radical moves to restructure the federal government and to gut economic programs that protect the non-millionaires among us.

Organizers in every state have planned some 1,200 synchronized protests. In Phoenix, the fireworks get underway at 10 a.m.

Saturday’s protest, billed as a “Hands Off! Mass Mobilization,” is focused on Trump and Musk’s federal funding cuts to public lands, cancer research and more, as well as the administration’s aim to dial back or end programs like Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security.

“Donald Trump WORKS FOR US! Elon Musk is an UNELECTED MEGALOMANIAC!” a protest poster reads.

Here’s what you should know about Saturday’s event.

When is the protest?

In Phoenix, the protest will start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 5. The movement’s website lists an end time of 12 p.m. The organizers of 50501 are also planning protests across the country that day, including in 17 other Arizona cities.

Where is the protest?

The protest is at the Arizona Capitol in downtown Phoenix. The address is 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007.

How can I get involved in the protest?

Anyone can get involved through the movement’s Reddit channel, r/50501. Arizona organizers also now have a website at 50501az.org, which lists information about protests.

Who is organizing this protest?

It’s being organized on social media and through Reddit, same as the 50501 protests in February and March.

What should I know before I go to the protest?

Protesting and other organizing activities taking place on the Capitol grounds must be conducted between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. Here are other notable Capitol regulations:

• Protesters must also keep 10 feet away from all buildings and minimize damage to state property.
• To amplify sound, an event application must be submitted 10 days prior, otherwise “volume must be reduced to a reasonable level.” An event application is not required if no sound will be amplified.
• Equipment, including banners and signs, may not be staked into the ground or otherwise affixed to landscapes, sidewalks or buildings.

Organizers encourage you to bring signs, banners, posters and flags. If you don't yet have a flag, odds are there will be someone there to sell you one.

How can I get to the Capitol?

Public parking is available at the Capitol on both the House and Senate sides on 17th Avenue between Adams and Jefferson streets, or at the Capitol parking lot on 19th Avenue and Jefferson Street.

If you want to take public transportation, you can take the Valley Metro Lightrail and get off downtown on Washington Street and Central Avenue, though you'll have to walk a ways to the Capitol. The free Downtown DASH bus, which can be caught at Washington Street and 5th Avenue, does not run on weekends.

You can also take a Valley Metro bus, which stops near the Capitol, including at Van Buren Street and 17th Avenue.

Are there any other protests happening in Arizona?

Arizona’s 50501 movement is also organizing protests in 17 other cities, including Flagstaff, Prescott and Tucson. Check out 50501’s ‘Hands Off!’ map and calendar for more information.