Hundreds in South County tell Trump, Musk ‘Hands Off!’

Hundreds of people in Morgan Hill and Gilroy hit the streets April 5 to deliver the message that they are not happy with President Donald Trump and Elon Musk as part of the nationwide “Hands Off!” protests. 

On just the 76th day of Trump’s presidency, more than 1,000 such protests took place around the U.S, including Chicago, Boston, Washington, D.C., New York City and in a number of European cities, including Frankfurt, Berlin and London. 

In Morgan Hill, protesters gathered in front of the Community & Cultural Center at Monterey Road and East Dunne Avenue. In Gilroy, demonstrators voiced their message to passing traffic at the corner of First Street and Santa Teresa Boulevard. 

Protesters in both communities held handmade signs depicting their disappointment in the Trump administration and desire for change, with slogans such as “Hands off our Social Security;” “Hands off the economy;” and “Hate will not make America great.” 

Morgan Hill resident Susan Rife was among the protesters, and said she has participated in similar local rallies here in recent weeks. 

“I wanted to be part of the nationwide Hands Off! protest last weekend as a statement to the current administration about how wrong it is to target so many federal agencies in what seems like a meat-axe approach,” Rife said. 

The Trump administration has, among other things, conducted mass firings of thousands of federal employees, defunded public libraries, conducted immigration raids nationwide, targeted Social Security and made cuts that will affect Medi-Cal and Medicaid.

“It was great to see so many people on the sidewalk peacefully advocating for our democracy and the constitution, and to have great community support for the protest as well,” Rife added. 

In Gilroy, local organizers of the Hands Off! protest estimated about 200 people participated in the Saturday demonstration. 

Gilroy resident Kim Honeycutt said she wants it known that she is concerned about executive overreach and the potential damage that Trump policies could cause to communities nationwide. 

“I believe that the administration is overstepping its executive branch power and that Congress is failing to use its constitutional power to check the President’s overreach,” Honeycutt said. “The Trump administration is taking very serious authoritarian action to limit freedoms in the United States and we as citizens should use every tool in our toolbox, including protests, to preserve and protect our democracy from transforming into an oligarchy.”

Gilroy resident Jan Guffey added, “I’m shaking my head at the stupidity and the incompetence in all areas of government shown so far by President Trump. Diversity, equity and especially inclusion makes us stronger!” 

Rita Imerson, also a Gilroy protester, said her participation in the political demonstration was “inspiring.” Imerson said she joined the Hands Off! event for two specific reasons: the Trump administration’s efforts to close the federal department of education; and the defunding of social services, Social Security programs and veterans’ services. 

Gilroy resident and April 5 protester Lori Hawk added that one of her top concerns, which she wanted to speak up about, is the administration’s ongoing, allegedly illegal plans to deport mass numbers of immigrants from the U.S. 

Imerson said, “At times, our little town of Gilroy can feel more conservative—especially online and within the makeup of our City Council—so it was wonderful to be reminded that many people here are willing to speak out for their rights and for others in our community who may be impacted by the current administration’s policies.”