Copper Basin Residents Join Nationwide Protest Movement
Cindy Beshaw holds a sign at the April 5 Hands Off rally in Glennallen. Photo by Lakota McRoberts.
By Lakota McRoberts with Additional Reporting by Allison Sayer
As part of the Hands Off! National Day of Action April 5, residents of the Copper Basin joined voices with demonstrators in well over 1,000 rallies across the 50 states. Demonstrators turned out to protest what organizers call “unprecedented executive overreach.”
The Glennallen gathering brought 28 individuals at its peak – each braving snow, wind, and fear of retaliation to stand against executive actions they believe are a threat to human rights, democracy, and community well-being.
The Hands Off! protests were sparked in response to sweeping actions taken by President Donald Trump’s second administration. Protesters decried drastic federal budget cuts led by Elon Musk, targeting healthcare, veteran services, and scientific research. Demonstrators fear cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, although the Trump administration has stated they will not seek to cut benefits from these programs.
The movement also took aim at immigration raids, perceived attacks on LGBTQ+ and civil rights, labor union dismantling, and what they see as a broader shift toward authoritarian governance.
One of the most emotional moments in Glennallen came when local resident Brandie Radigan spoke about the cuts to veteran services, calling them not just a policy failure—but a moral one.
Sign from the Glennallen Hands Off! Rally April 5. Photo by Lakota McRoberts.
“It’s wrong to cut funding to veterans when we have 22 veterans dying from suicide a day,” she said passionately. “I feel for the people. It’s not just about politics, it’s about lives.”
Many held signs addressing a wide range of fears: from Social Security instability and abortion access, to concerns about the safety of nonbinary and queer youth, environmental deregulation, and personal data violations.
The Copper Basin has seen firsthand the fallout from these federal shifts: staffing cuts at veteran’s support services and other agencies residents rely on and decreased job stability for federal workers.
Demonstrators also noted they feel a climate of intimidation.
“I have friends on base who are terrified to say anything,” one attendee noted. “But silence won’t save us. We have to show up.”
Local resident Robin Mayo shared that one friend had wanted to attend but stayed home out of concern for their spouse, who holds a green card. “It’s heartbreaking,” she said, “but it shows exactly why this protest matters.”
Sign from the Hands Off! Rally in Glennallen April 5. Photo by Lakota McRoberts.
Among the protestors were two who drove all the way from Valdez to join Glennallen's gathering, emphasizing the inclusive spirit of the movement. “We’re here for the future of our kids—especially our nonbinary and queer youth,” another said. “They deserve to grow up safe, free, and seen.”
According to Palmer-based Dave Musgrave, who helped coordinate Alaska-based rallies through the network Action Alaska, at least 16 communities participated in Hands Off! events, including Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Homer, Wasilla, and Kodiak. The Anchorage Daily News estimated that in Anchorage alone, an estimated 3,500 people rallied, marching from Town Square Park to the offices of Senator Lisa Murkowski and Representative Nick Begich.
Although state and national rallies provided the inspiration, the coordination and planning of this rally was local. In a private conversation, one organizer, who stated she wanted her identity withheld due to fear of harassment, stated the organizers decided to plan the rally after hearing about “Hands Off” rallies planned across the country from a social media post from the organization Mobilize.org.
The volunteer organizers “registered” the rally online to be counted among the state and nationwide activities, and got together to make signs, put up flyers, and spread the word informally among their peers and through social media.
Back in Glennallen, children waved signs, elders spoke passionately, and a playlist of empowering music filled the air. Some community members honked, waved, and shouted encouragement from passing vehicles.
Some community members did not agree with the rally. One person I spoke to told me he “didn’t understand.” Others drove by the rally staring straight ahead without acknowledgement. However, even people who did not agree were not aggressive or disrespectful towards the demonstrators.
“Glennallen might not make national headlines,” said one protestor, “but we’re showing up—and that means something. It always has.”
“Hands off our rights. Hands off our communities. Hands off our future,” one sign read.