On April 5, an estimated 1,700 people flooded downtown Eau Claire as part of the nationwide “Hands Off” protests — the largest public demonstration the Chippewa Valley had seen in a generation.

Eau Claire joined cities across the country in a day of action demanding that the administration keep its hands off Social Security, Medicare, public education, and the institutions Americans depend on. The turnout stunned even organizers — CVI was barely ten weeks old, and the valley had never mobilized like this.

WEAU, WQOW, and Civic Media all covered the rally. It was the moment CVI proved that western Wisconsin wasn’t just paying attention — it was showing up in force. And it was only the beginning: every major mobilization after this one would be bigger.