Protesters Describe ‘Ideal America’ Where Government Pays and Emotions Rule [WATCH]

Dozens of anti-Trump demonstrators gathered in Bryant Park over the weekend as part of the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest movement, sharing their visions of what they described as an “ideal America.”

As Fox News reported, the rally marked one of the largest national protests since President Donald Trump began his second term.

Participants offered a range of ideas, primarily focused on social values such as diversity, LGBTQ+ rights, and freedom of expression.

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During interviews with Fox News Digital, protesters explained how they envision the country operating under their version of American ideals.

One masked protester, holding a sign with the scientific symbol for a “resistor” said:

“For me, an ideal America is one where people can protest like this and have their voices heard, and they are the ones who are running the country — not somebody who’s taken over the country and no longer allows the First Amendment to be spoken.”

Another demonstrator, Josh from Queens, said an ideal nation includes the ability to speak freely without fear.

“An ideal America looks like a country where its citizens can live in dignity, can live in peace and prosperity, where, yeah, we are not afraid to exercise our right to free speech, our constitutional given rights, where everyone ideally, is housed, is fed, makes a fair living wage.”

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The issue of free speech remains prominent following recent headlines involving anti-Israel activist and former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil.

Khalil was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after reportedly failing to disclose his affiliation with a United Nations Palestinian relief agency.

President Trump stated in a fact sheet released by the White House:

“To all the resident aliens who joined in the pro-jihadist protests, we put you on notice: come 2025, we will find you, and we will deport you.”

Yes… he just said that.

To all of the resident aliens who joined in the jihadist protests, come 2025, you will find yourself being deported. President Donald J. Trump. pic.twitter.com/MHhCvpaOhy

— Sassafrass84 (@Sassafrass_84) October 30, 2023

Other protest participants emphasized their hopes for more inclusive government policies. May, a Manhattan resident, said her ideal America is one of “diversity and peace,” adding:

“Diverse, which is a bad word these days. Women have rights and freedom. And we live in peace.”

Mary, another protester from Queens, advocated for expanded social programs. She said her version of America would prioritize “civil rights, gay rights, enough food and health care for every single person, and the right attitude toward other countries, a helping attitude.”

These visions contrast sharply with current federal initiatives. The Trump administration has worked to reduce DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) mandates within federal agencies and the education system.

The stated goal has been to re-center policies around merit-based evaluation and eliminate identity-driven standards.

According to the Goldwater Institute, DEI mandates at public universities have cost taxpayers nearly $2 billion nationwide.

Others, like Yalena, a Ukrainian immigrant who has lived in the U.S. for more than 30 years, believe privilege should be redistributed.

“Ideal America is [an] America that’s going to give more rights to more people. And those of us who have privilege, sharing that privilege. So, when we say MAGA, we say ‘Make America Great Again,’ and when we refer to again, it’s a group of people that was privileged enough to be gaining from government and society, and what we’re trying to do in the democratic world is to give more rights to people who are underprivileged.”

Wendy, a professor from New Jersey, said her ideal America includes a guaranteed safety net.

“An ideal America is one where everyone has a social safety net and can be successful in their jobs and make enough money, a living wage — to be able to take care of themselves and their families,” Wendy said.

However, a 2023 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that $236 billion in improper payments were made across 71 different social safety net programs.

The protest at Bryant Park was part of a broader national movement, which organizers described as the largest coordinated demonstration against Trump’s policies since his return to the White House.

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