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People held signs, others were dressed as dinosaurs, frogs and unicorns. One group broke out into a dance party to a musical mix of the Gloria Gaynor classic "I Will Survive" in front of the Department of Labor — which has been adorned with a giant banner of U.S. President Donald Trump's face.

While the rally gave off a party atmosphere it is taking place amid a drawn-out government shutdown and the Trump administration's efforts to rapidly reshape the federal workforce.

Poole is one of hundreds of thousands of federal workers who haven't received a paycheque since the shutdown started Oct. 1. He said it's been incredibly frustrating but the rally helps send a message to other Americans who may be feeling helpless.

"There's a lot of people in America who think he's terrible too and the things he’s doing all over the place, including with Canada, are just stupid and we don’t support him," Poole said.

Many people at the rally expressed frustration in political leaders who seemed unwilling or unable to pushback on the Trump administration's unprecedented use of executive power.

It marked the third mass mobilization since Trump returned to the White House in January. Republican leaders have called it a "Hate America rally," labelling attendees as communists and Marxists. 

Meanwhile, Trump was spending Saturday at a golf course near his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

In his second administration, Trump has pushed boundaries at breakneck pace testing the ability of Congress and the judicial branch to reign in executive powers.

He reshaped global trade through his growing tariff regime while rapidly ramping up domestic deportation efforts. Viral videos weekly show masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arresting people on the streets and at court houses. 

The president deployed the ºÃÉ«tv Guard in Washington and against governors' wishes in blue states. 

He dismantled the United States Agency for International Development and Elon Musk — the tech billionaire and former special government employee — slashed the federal workforce with his Department of Government Efficiency team.

Olivia Lambertson, 24, works in science and said it's been concerning watching misinformation spread. She said she has privilege to be able to show up to these events while some of the people most affected by Trump's policies may not be able to. 

"I have the opportunity to show up, so that's really what I'm here to do," she said.

Nearby, Carol Carol Miller, 61, was holding a sign depicting Trump as a baby in a crown. She said it's all felt rapid and head-spinning.

"It's very hurtful what has been done, especially laying off our federal workers who actually serve the American public," Miller said. "That's one of the worst things that's happened."

Washington has felt like Ground Zero for some shifting norms and Miller said she was expecting to see a lot of demonstrators turn up for the rally in the nation's capital to express their frustration. 

"But it's even greater to see how far it's going across the whole U.S. with these protests today," she said.

More than 2,600 similar rallies were planned across the United States, including Boston, Chicago and New York City. There were also rallies in cities around the world, including in Canada.

Dozens gathered in downtown Montreal in support of their American neighbours. Judith Henkewick, a dual citizen from Boston, said it's important to stand up against Trump's repeated claims that Canada should become a U.S. state.

"We're here to support ºÃÉ«tv sovereignty and also definitely to support all Americans interested in keeping their democracy," said Henkewick, a Montrealer for over 50 years now.  "There’s a problem in the south that has to be dealt with."

In Washington, Christy Torres, 44, said "we are watching fascism in real time." 

"There are thousands of people out in the streets. I wish we didn't have to do it but I'm so proud of my friends and family across the country who are at their rallies," Torres said. 

"The power to the people, not the people in power." 

This report by ºÃÉ«tvwas first published Oct. 18, 2025. 

— With files from Miriam Lafontaine in Montreal and The Associated Press