‘Dogs against DOGE’ and Dylan in the air: Protests erupt in Berlin, Paris and London against Trump-Musk policies

Hundreds of people took to the streets in several European cities Saturday to protest against US President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk following a turbulent week for global financial markets triggered by Trump’s announcement of sweeping tariffs.

In Frankfurt, Germany, the “Hands Off!” protest was organised by Democrats Abroad, the official overseas branch of the US Democratic Party. Demonstrators gathered at Opernplatz, calling for Trump’s resignation and carrying signs that read “Restore Democracy,” “Hands off our data,” and “The world is tired of your bullshit Donald, be gone!”

In Berlin, protestors rallied outside a Tesla showroom, urging fellow Americans living in Germany to push back against what they described as growing chaos in the United States.

In Berlin, slogans directed at Musk read ”Shut up Elon, no one voted for you,” and a dog wore a sign that said ”Dogs against DOGE,” referring to the Department of Government Efficiency run by senior adviser Musk, an initiative of the second Trump administration to reduce federal spending waste, fraud and abuse.

In the French capital of Paris, about 200 people, mostly American, gathered on the Place de la République to protest against Trump. Some gave speeches to denounce the president, with protesters waving banners ranging from ”Resist Tyrant”, ”Rule of Law” ”Feminists for Freedom not fascism” and ”Save Democracy”. One sang and played the Bob Dylan song Masters of War.

Protests against Trump and Musk were also held in other European cities, including London and Lisbon. In the British capital, a few hundred people gathered in Trafalgar Square, holding signs saying ”Proud American Ashamed” and ”WTAF America?” The crowd chanted ”Hands off Canada”, ”Hands off Greenland” and ”Hands off Ukraine” while listening to speeches criticising Trump.

With inputs from agencies