1 week Ago
A estimated crowd of thousands gathered in downtown Longmont Saturday for the “Hands Off” rally in a show of protest against the actions of the Trump administration.Along with Boulder and Lyons, Longmont was one of three Boulder County communities that organized “Hands Off” rallies last weekend. Protests amassed around the United States on Saturday to denounce perceived government mismanagement, according to the “Hands Off” website, which argues President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and their allies are “orchestrating an all-out assault on our government, our economy, and our basic rights.
”A crowd gathered in Longmont during the nationwide “Hands Off” rallies protesting the Trump administration Saturday. (Lynette McClain / Courtesy photo)Longmont protest organizer Lynette McClain estimated the event drew several thousand participants.“I sent people out to count, and it was so hard because there were just so many people everywhere,” McClain said.
People gathered in Longmont for the nationwide “Hands Off” rallies protesting the Trump administration Saturday. (Lynette McClain / Courtesy photo)The protest was scheduled from 1 to 2 p.m.
at Sixth Avenue and Main Street, but McClain said people showed up as early as 11:45 a.m. The crowd was on both sides of Main between Fourth and Ninth avenues, she added.
Saturday’s protest also had four speakers attend, including U.S. Rep.
Joe Neguse, a Lafayette-area Democrat. Other speakers were Longmont Mayor Joan Peck, Longmont City Councilmember Susie Hidalgo-Fahring and Boulder County Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann.McClain said Longmont police showed up during the rally because protesters were walking into the street and cars were struggling to get through the crowd.
The organizers put some volunteers in orange vests to serve as monitors and keep protesters out of the street as well.McClain said many passing cars honked in what appeared to be support for the rally. Several participants also made signs from supplies that other volunteers brought to the rally, including boxes, sticks, markers and paint.
“It was just a really lively crowd,” McClain said. “People were so inspired by this.”McClain and the other event organizers hope to continue the momentum from the “Hands Off” rally on another day of potential national protest April 19.
That event, which will commemorate 250 years since the American Revolution began, is also set for 1 to 2 p.m. at Sixth and Main.
“It’s a very quick turnaround, so I’m not expecting the same kind of traffic,” she said of the upcoming rally. “But who knows? People are really riled up.”The Lyons “Hands Off” protest Saturday saw a turnout of roughly 350 people, according to event coordinator Cathy Rivers.
“We were thrilled with the turnout,” Rivers wrote in a statement.The Lyons Neighbors 4 Democracy group meets on Saturdays in downtown Lyons. The group will also participate in the April 19 protests, according to Rivers.
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