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.”