Activists to use Tax Day to tell Trump: Show us returns

WASHINGTON — Democratic lawmakers and activists plan to hit the streets Saturday at Tax Day protests around the country and demand President Donald 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.”

Liberal advocacy groups and unions have helped spread the word and organized speakers for the largest rallies. Democratic lawmakers gave organizers a shout-out before heading home for their longest break since Trump took the oath of office on Jan. 20.

Over the last 40 years, presidents and major-party nominees have released some of their tax returns. The exception was Gerald Ford. Trump’s break with precedent has raised questions about possible conflicts of interest.