Hundreds take part in Modesto as part of nationwide ‘Hands Off!’ protest
Around 700 people gathered at Modesto’s Five Points intersection Saturday as part of a nationwide rally against actions taken by the Trump administration. People brought signs, their kids, their dogs, drums, walkers, wheelchairs and bottled water.
Marjorie Sturdy, head of the Modesto Progressive Democrats and one of the organizers of the event, spoke through a bullhorn at Lucas Plaza at 10 a.m. Saturday about safety. She recommended that people who are undocumented leave their phones in their cars, and that if there were counterprotesters, which she thought there may be, they be ignored.
The Modesto protest was organized three weeks in advance, by the Stanislaus Indivisible group, which formed during Donald Trump’s first term as president. Other organizers included Modesto Progressive Democrats and United Domestic Workers Union local 3930.
Lauretta Ayers of Stanislaus Indivisible was one of the organizers in neon yellow vests. “In case people need anything, if they need water, they need a sign, then they know we’re the ones that they go to,” she said. “We told them that if there is an emergency episode, somebody needs an EpiPen or something like that, you can go to us.”
Signs showed support for many causes, including the National Park Service, veterans and the LGTBQ community. But one message repeated time and time again was that the United States was moving away from democracy and towards fascism.
Anne Martin, who has lived in Modesto for 23 years, said she’s especially concerned about cuts to medical care and cancer research. “My sister is alive today because of our formerly excellent scientific research,” she said. “And cutting NIH, cutting Medicare and Medicaid, cutting people’s Social Security — it’s just a horrible thing for our country.”
The response to the protest was positive from those driving through the intersection, with supportive horn honks drowning out chants of “United we stand, divided we fall.”
Alice Fotheringham, a younger member of the crowd who grew up in Modesto, said she heard about the protest through posts by her friends. “I am so proud of Modesto, so proud,” she said. “This is exactly what democracy looks like, this is what the people are supposed to do.”
Zehl Day, who came in from Turlock after hearing about the protest on TikTok, said her intention in joining was to defend the rights of transgender people and to defend abortion rights. “I’m very impressed, I wasn’t expecting this,” she said of the large crowd.
Erin Sperry, who was born and raised in Modesto, said she came out to defend democracy. “I’m hoping that we bring awareness and that we show the community we stand strong together,” she said.
Josh Kimball said he was there to protest Trump and Elon Musk. “They’re trying to crash the economy and rounding people up off the streets for protesting,” he said.
Though expected, no formal counterprotest materialized. Some people who disagreed pointed their thumbs down as they drove past. One white truck with flags supporting President Trump circled around the area with a passenger in an eagle mask who yelled at protesters periodically.
One person, who organizers think may have been a disruptor, started yelling at another person in the crowd, but he was largely ignored and then left.
At noon, the group made its way to Tenth Street Plaza. A group of children started a chant of “Hey hey, ho ho, Trump and Elon have got to go.” Signs were lined up alongside the Fuzio restaurant nearby.
Vice Mayor Nick Bavaro was in attendance at the plaza, and speakers included Waterford Councilmember Lupita Gutierrez and Sandy Moreno, regional manager for the local 3930 chapter of United Domestic Workers.
Linda Legace, a member of the Stanislaus County Democratic Central Committee, was signing people up to run for office or get involved in local politics.
“We’re trying to get people interested in becoming more active, even if it’s only getting connected with our different clubs,” she said.
Naramsen Goriel, one of the organizers of the event, told the crowd he is concerned the administration will crack down on peaceful protests.
“You can build momentum so when they do try to crack down on peaceful protest, it will look incredibly inexcusable and untenable and shameful for them to be doing that,” he said, “because we had a peaceful protest right here right now.”
This story was originally published April 5, 2025 at 4:23 PM.
