'Hands Off' Protestors Line Murrieta, Temecula City Streets Saturday

MURRIETA, CA — Hundreds of Southwest Riverside County residents gathered Saturday for the nationwide Hands Off! demonstrations protesting their opinion of how the Trump administration is running the country.

Over 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, labor unions, LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans, and election activists, organized Hands Off! demonstrations in over 1,200 locations in all 50 states, according to The Associated Press. California had a robust showing with protests from the Bay Area to San Diego.

Nearly 250 protestors gathered at Murrieta Hot Springs and Alta Murrieta to wave signs and encourage cars to honk in support of the "Hands Off!" mission.

Over 350 more gathered at the Temecula Duck Pond on the corner of Rancho California and Ynez Roads.

The crowds stood out in the Southwest Riverside County sunshine, carrying signs that ranged from comical to confounding as protestors called attention to policies and changes proposed and made by the Trump Administration in recent days, weeks and months.

Protesters, many belonging to local social media groups, organized and gathered on a Saturday to exercise their constitutional rights. The day was one of camaraderie. Patch spoke with teachers, wine country workers, and others about their experiences.

Temecula resident Julie Geary was out Saturday and brought her parents, she told Patch. "It was a great time out with friends (Saturday). This was the largest protest I've ever seen in Temecula. It fills me with hope that people were out supporting these programs."

Geary has frequently attended local rallies at the duck pond, city hall, and other corners of the town. "This is the largest rally I've seen in the area," she told Patch. There were so many people of all ages. Senior citizens were holding signs focused on Social Security. Now, they are uncertain about their future."

Many like-minded Facebook groups posted and helped people coordinate their message. "Overall, people just drove past if they didn't agree with the protest. There were many more that were supportive and positive."

Event organizer and photographer Bryan Giardinelli, a Southwest Riverside County resident, shared some of his photographs with Patch, showing what he felt were the most pivotal scenes of the day in Southwest Riverside County.

"I travel all over the country with a few notable politicians to work on campaigns and movements similar to this one," Giarinelli told Patch. "The biggest goal is to bring the community together under a focused message. It brings such pride to see my own community standing tall for what's right."

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33 Photos Show Hands Off! Protests Against Trump And Musk Across CA