Protesters gathered at Riverside Park in Salida on Saturday as part of a nationwide “Hands Off” rally, calling for President Donald Trump and Elon Musk to protect essential services such as public education, Social Security, and veterans’ healthcare. Organizers claim it was the largest single-day protest since Trump’s second term began. Chaffee County Commissioner Gina Lucrezi addressed the Ark Valley Indivisible crowd, emphasizing the importance of protecting public lands. This coordinated effort across the U.S. aimed to pressure leaders to “keep their hands off” programs many Americans say they depend on.
Over 1,000 people gathered in downtown Salida, many saying fear for their futures and families motivated them to attend.
