Thousands of people converged on Window on the Bay in Monterey on Saturday, April 5, on a beautiful spring day, part of a nationwide mobilization effort called Hands Off. Organizers said the number in Monterey was over 3,700. In Salinas, approximately 400 people rallied.
It was the largest such demonstration in Monterey since Trump was first elected in 2016. People began showing up ahead of the 11am start time and kept streaming in during the first hour of the two-hour demonstration.
"I've been to a lot of rallies at Window on the Bay and I've never seen a crowd this big. This should say something to every single one of us," said Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson, in some opening remarks.
Protestors brought their own signs taking President Donald Trump and Elon Musk to task for policies that are making deep cuts to critical services, as well as targeting people in marginalized groups through immigration actions and other efforts.
"This is what democracy looks like!," Monterey County Supervisor Kate Daniels shouted to the crowd during opening remarks.
Rousing remarks also came from Monterey Councilmember Gino Garcia and Sheriff Tina Nieto.
They were followed by a group singing a protest song called "One Foot."
"You gotta put one foot in front of another and lead with love," they sang.
The protest in Salinas had a large crowd before the noon start time. People carried different signs such as “Trump must go”," “Hands off our data," “Trump 4 prison," “We the people resist DOGE,” and more.
The crowd waved flags and shouted different chants to keep the momentum going: “When Medicaid is under attack, What do we do? We fight back;" "El Pueblo unido jamás sera vencido;" "Donald, Donald, you can’t hide, we can see your greedy eyes.”
(2) comments
The part I don't get is that people are protesting something that hasn't happened. There have been no programs or benefits taken away, No freedoms lost , and the only people loosing jobs are those working for businesses that are no longer needed by the Gov. It has happened many many times before as businesses open and close .Musk is not collecting Social Security records, that is a ridicules myth. The people voted for change and the gov is changing for the better, the safer and freedom. Batman & Robin are trying to save Our Country But some still side with the Joker and protest what they really wanted in the first place. Refusing to notice that Crime is down, The border is closed and prices will level out. There will be plenty of new jobs . If any thing they should be thankful that the corruption is being weeded out of the the Democracy they love, making it safe to continue being a democrat if they so choose. There is no winner in a war that has no purpose.
""Hands off socil [sic] security," "We the people are speaking," "felon." I really do not understand what these people believe in. We the people spoke. That is why Trump won. He was democratically elected as the President. Wasn't George Floyd a felon? I am confused on why this is an issue now. I thought the belief was for second chances.
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