ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Protestors at Cobbs Hill in Rochester joined in the nationwide Hands Off protest Saturday, speaking out against the Trump administration and Elon Musk. Over a thousand Rochester residents participated in the rally, where they gathered with handmade signs, participating in calls for change and critique of the Trump Administration. Organizers of the event said demonstrators stood "with a unified message of "Hands Off!", an expression to petition to the government for protections of free speech, free press, freedom of religion, and other rights they consider being attacked in democracy. "It feels really good to be fighting for what I believe in. It feels like we've all been kind of thrown this blanket of silence over us and we're trying to break through that. It feels good to be here." Page Gregor, a demonstrator said. A series of speeches were given that focused on individual stories of how governmental changes in areas such as social security, employment, medical research, and immigration have impacted them. New tariffs causing uncertainty within the furniture industry Local politicians including Senator Jeremy Cooney and Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhart were seen at the event speaking with the community. The political climate expanded beyond Rochester, as protests were seen in other regions including Avon and Batavia. Additionally, protests were also seen in the country's capital Washington, D.C. Rochester's local Indivisible and 50501 organized the event at Cobb's Hill in conjunction with other local groups including Rochester NOW, GRIT, Veterans for Peace, Rochester's Pride at Work AFL-CIO, and Knowledge & Action Rochester. Jsus Sowell, an attendee responded to the amount of young people in attendance. "We're the future. Everything that he's [President Trump] doing right now is going to affect us for the next 20 to 30 years. If we're not out here protesting, who is going to protect our kids?" An event was also held at the Irondequoit United Church of Christ on Titus Avenue for seniors. The church provided a safe alternative for a group of seniors, between the ages of 80 and 95, who dealt with transportation and mobility issues but still wished to show their support. While unable to attend the event at Cobb's Hill, attendees shared similar sentiments of upset and concern with the current administration regarding government cuts to programs and services they access. ...read more read less