by Lynda Davis Prohl
On April 5th, while Hands Off! protests erupted all around the US in opposition to the Trump administration, the Frankfurt chapter of Democrats Abroad brought together chapters from the surrounding areas to show that Americans living in Germany are united with their US counterparts.
Approximately 200 protestors coming from Heidelberg to Wiesbaden gathered together at the steps of the Frankfurt Opera House. Holding speeches and carrying signs they declared, "Hands off my body, hands off my vote, hands off my democracy!"
I've been to many protests but this one felt more personal, more emotional. Feelings of anger but also solidarity welled up from the crowd as speakers gave first person accounts of losing their jobs after DOGE cuts or having their rights taken away as members of the LGBTQ+ community.
There were those old enough to have witnessed the civil rights upheaval of the 60s and wise enough to lament that our country seems to be going back to those times.
Tim Kautz, the Frankfurt Chair of Democrats Abroad, led protest organization and helped put together the Resistance Roundtable which was integral in getting the word out to neighboring chapters.
Kautz was active with Democrats Abroad during Obama’s re-election and when he was asked to take a leadership role in the Frankfurt Chapter, he decided that what was going on in our country was important enough to mobilize him into action once again.
Kautz’s feelings about what’s going on in the US mirrors my personal story as well as that of others I spoke with at the protest.
“My motivation intensified at the end, when people began to speak before the crowd spontaneously,” Kautz said of the rally. “It showed we’re not just here because we’re angry people but because the things going on are hair-raising and the time to do something about it is running out.”
Several protestors I met were visiting from abroad and decided to take part in the protest while they’re here. One, an international law professor in Germany on sabbatical, was specifically looking for a Hands Off! rally to participate in while he’s here.
“I needed a way to express the rage and shame I have been feeling about the Trump administration,” he said. “My sense is that many of the people in Democrats Abroad think of themselves as ambassadors for the US. And we often find ourselves trying to explain, not excuse, some of our country's bad behavior. But this Administration's actions have made that role almost impossible to fill.”
More than anything this protest for Americans abroad was about unity. And indeed, Frankfurt was not alone in joining the global protest. Hands Off! rallies took place all across Europe on April 5th, from London to Berlin. As many in the crowd expressed, we were there to let the world know that we’re here and that many of us do not stand behind what our current administration is doing.
As one speaker expressed, to loud applause, “Wir sind solidarisch mit Ihnen!”
We are in solidarity with you.
For information about getting involved with the DA Frankfurt chapter's resistance work, please write [email protected]
Lynda Davis Prohl has been a member of Democrats abroad since 2018. She’s a freelance writer and holds a dual Masters degree in International relations and diplomacy.