Even before the “Hands Off!” National Day of Action officially began at noon on a warm and sunny Saturday, thousands gathered around the Santa Cruz County Courthouse, filing in from all directions with creative placards and handwritten signs, all in opposition of the current administration...

As the local event organizer, Indivisible Santa Cruz County, set up the stage and sound equipment on the courthouse steps, community members began to gather around, including Sen. John Laird, who has been combating the policies of the Trump administration at the state level.

“I think it’s very exciting, and amazingly, this is early, so I know this is going to be big,” said Laird. “It’s important for me to be here because I am fighting the fight against a lot of this in Sacramento. We’re facing Medicaid cuts and education cuts and it’s really important for us to speak up and say no, that’s not the way it should be.”

In addition to fighting budget cuts from Washington, Laird mentioned moving forward with climate change programs despite federal pushback.

“We need to redouble our efforts,” said Laird. “It’s important for people to exercise their rights of free speech and free assembly. I think people were stunned in the first weeks after the inauguration and I think the world is coming alive right now, and this turnout demonstrates it.”

Find the full article here:  https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/04/05/thousands-gather-in-santa-…