Trump protest draws hundreds of participants

Almost 1,400 people participated Saturday in a “Hand’s Off!” demonstration in downtown Sequim as part of a national — and global — mass-action protest against Trump administration policies that some view as an assault against the federal government, the economy, and Americans’ rights.

According to participant Vern Ahrendes, a clicker count on the east side of Sequim Avenue tallied 533 protesters, while a second clicker counted another 860 participants on the west side.

Ahrendes, a volunteer with the local branch of Indivisible, which coordinated the event, said that at 11:45 a.m., 15 minutes before the noon start of the rally, 1,298 people had gathered at and around Sequim Civic Center.

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Several brief speeches were made and participants were encouraged to be peaceful and lawful in their protest.

“We do not repay evil with evil,” said Indivisible co-organizer Alex Fane, to the voiced approval of the crowd. “We will overcome evil with good.”

Organizers cautioned protesters to stay off the street except when crossing safely. Volunteer Lois Gruendl said there were at least 30 yellow vested safety volunteers helping people cross the street and keeping an eye on things.

Sequim police were also out and about.

Deputy Chief John Southard said that organizers “had a plan for safety and have kept to the plan. The yellow vests are keeping people safe as they cross the streets, keeping them on the sidewalk. It’s working out great.”

He continued, “Everyone has thanked us. It’s very nice, very respectful. That’s why we’re here, to make sure everyone gets along.”

The protests of 2020-21, Southard added, were “not as civil as it is now. The tensions were higher back then.”

Five to 10 Trump supporters turned out and stayed in the thickest part of the crowd, talking with fellow citizens and holding signs, at the intersection of Washington Street and Sequim Avenue.

One shop owner on Washington Street came out of her store and shouted at people for driving away business.

Judging by the honking of horns, most drivers who drove past agreed with the messages on protesters’ signs, but there were a few angry people who shouted at the crowd.

Signs and comments centered on issues such as Elon Musk’s Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), cuts to the national parks, veterans, human rights, international relations and perceived transgressions against the Constitution.

Protesters lined Washington Street from the corners of North Sunnyside to Third Avenue. Protesters on Sequim Avenue stretched from Washington Street to the Civic Center.

“It is the biggest crowd I have seen turn out for a rally in the 14 years my wife and I have lived in Sequim,” said Ahrendes.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen/ According to a clicker count by volunteers with Sequim Indivisible, 1298 people turned out by 11:45 a.m., with nearly 1400 people counted by 2:00 p.m. during Sequim’s version of the “Hands Off ” protests held across the nation and in other countries on Saturday. The protest was peaceful and orderly, according to police, organizers and protesters and featured a range of protest signs.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen/ According to a clicker count by volunteers with Sequim Indivisible, 1298 people turned out by 11:45 a.m., with nearly 1400 people counted by 2:00 p.m. during Sequim’s version of the “Hands Off ” protests held across the nation and in other countries. The protest was peaceful and orderly, according to police, organizers and protesters.