Thousands of people rallied Saturday in Santa Ana and a host of cities across Orange County alongside a slew of “Hands Off” protests across Southern California, all part of a nationwide action protesting the Trump Administration.
Protesters aimed to highlight the impact of recent presidential executive orders as well as the role of Billionaire Elon Musk in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) along with rising concerns about the impacts on local public services, including education, healthcare, social security benefits administration, veterans’ services, and immigrants’ rights.
Saturday’s action at Sasscer Park in Santa Ana and as far south as San Clemente are part of an ongoing string of protests that have been appearing at local intersections and civic places like Irvine City Hall in recent months.
The coalition organizing Saturday’s event included Lavender Democrats OC, WAVE, Activate America, OC Indivisible Coalition, 50501 OC, and OC Huddle.
This weekend’s rallies drew comments from political party leaders in Orange County from both sides of the aisle.
“Rather than celebrating a historically secure border and significant reductions in government fraud and abuse, far-left groups regularly rally to call people Nazis and attack electric vehicles. I expect more of the same this weekend, though hopefully the EV attacks will only be verbal this time,” said OC GOP Chairman Will O’Neill in a Saturday text message.
OC Democratic Party Chairwoman Florice Hoffman saw a different side to the protests.
“I was amazed by the energy and unity at the San Clemente rally—over 1,200 peaceful protesters showed up with powerful signs like ‘Hands off Social Security,’ ‘Protect our Teachers,’ and ‘No Trump/Musk Fascism,” Hoffman said in a Saturday text message.
“The sound of cars honking in support filled the streets. Hats off to the South County Democratic Women for organizing such a fabulous turnout. It was a clear and inspiring message: our community is fired up and ready to defend our rights,” she added.
Here’s a look from the ground along with different insights about what brought people out.
Orange
Keith Murata attends the “Hands Off” protest in Orange on April 5, 2025. “I think the country is going in the wrong direction. I just want to do something and I am happy I am here because sometimes I feel alone but being around people that feel like me makes me feel better. A lot of things are wrong with the country and I think a lot needs to be changed,” said Murata. CREDIT: JOSIAH MENDOZA, Voice of OC.
Protesters attend the “Hands Off” protest in Orange, Calif., on April 5, 2025. Credit: JOSIAH MENDOZA, Voice of OC
Jan and Ken Beardsley stand hand in hand at the “Hands Off” protest in Orange, Calif., on April 5, 2025. “There are things going wrong, and people need to show other people that things are not quite right. We are losing a lot of valuable government services for no good reason, and we will miss them when they are gone. I object to what Trump is doing,” says Ken. “There’s not much we can do, but we can be here to share our feelings about what is going on and pray a lot,” Jan said. Credit: JOSIAH MENDOZA, Voice of OC
Santa Ana
Kyle Atkinson, 21, from San Clemente, (center left) and Evan Vankampen, 21, from San Clemente, (center right) attend the April 5, 2025 “Hands Off” protest in Santa Ana. “I came here to protest Trump, protest Musk, to protest the oligarchy in general. What I see to be arising right now, that is a distinctly authoritarian regime. Everything that I learned about in history class, that is happening right now, and somehow, half the country doesn’t seem to be caring all that much.” said Atkinson. “Reading the Declaration of Independence, a lot of those charges are being repeated here today by the current administration. So, if that’s not a good reason to protest, I don’t know what it is.” said Vankampen. Credit: EFREM PLAWNER, Voice of OC
Protestors gather, listening to a speaker of the Hands Off protest on April 5, 2025, in Santa Ana. Credit: EFREM PLAWNER, Voice of OC
Huntington Beach
Liza holds up her sign to passing cars at the April 5, 2025 “Hands off” protest. “We are fighting for human rights” says Liza. Credit: ALLIE LEICHTER, Voice of OC.
Lucas Matthews shouts “I love Trump!” while anti-Trump protestors shout over him at the “Hands off” protest on April 5, 2025, in Huntington Beach. Credit: ALLIE LEICHTER, Voice of OC
Protestors line the curb at the Huntington Beach Pier on April 5, 2025 at the “Hands off” rally. Credit: ALLIE LEICHTER, Voice of OC
