Protesters to demand Trump release returns

WASHINGTON — Democratic lawmakers and activists plan to hit the streets Saturday at Tax Day protests around the country and demand President Trump release his tax returns.

Organizers hope the protests — dubbed the Tax March — will resonate with Americans who think the president should release his returns, as his recent predecessors have done. Rallies are scheduled in nearly 150 cities, including Washington, New York, Boston and San Francisco. Activists in West Palm Beach, Fla., will hold the “March a Lago” near the resort where Trump plans to spend the Easter weekend.

“We’re marching on Washington, D.C., and around the country to ask Donald Trump: WHAT ARE YOU HIDING?” the organizers say on their website. “We need a president who works for all Americans, and a tax system that does, too. Release your tax returns and commit to a fair tax system for the American people.”

Jennifer Taub sparked the effort following her participation in Boston’s Women’s March the day after Trump’s inauguration. She concedes she isn’t sure what to expect — organizers think thousands will show up at some locations, possibly only dozens at others.

“I’m just a law professor who sent out a tweet,” said Taub, who teaches at Vermont Law School. “I’m psyched, and I think lots of people are psyched about this. We shall see.”

Taub’s tweet about planning a #showusyourtaxes protest stemmed from the Women’s March and her general interest in financial matters. She has testified before Congress and written a book about the 2008 financial crisis.

“I’m all about ‘follow the money,’ ” Taub said. “It tells us the story about people’s priorities.”

Liberal advocacy groups and unions have helped spread the word and organized speakers for the largest rallies.

Trump cites an audit as the reason he won’t release his tax returns. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Tuesday, “We filed our financial disclosure forms the other day in a way that allows everyone to understand.”