Hundreds gather in Hamilton for Hands Off demonstration

HAMILTON, Mont. — As part of the national Hands Off movement, several hundred protestors gathered in downtown Hamilton Saturday.

Hands Off demonstrators across the country are protesting President Trump and Elon Musk, and the policies that have rocked communities across the country.

Demonstrators told NBC Montana they are worried about tariffs, cuts to health care, threats to Social Security, the firing and forced retirement of federal workers, and a slew of other issues.

Crowds packed sections of Main and First Streets before marching west to the River Street Dance Theater.

They listened to speakers who came to support a number of issues, including veterans, agriculture, and the internationally esteemed Rocky Mountain Laboratories, or RML.

Dr. Kim Hasenkrug, a retired RML immunologist gave the crowd some sobering news.

"As of this week RML has lost at least 40 people," he said. "The remaining staff has been discredited, disrespected and discouraged from remaining in public service."

" The dishonorable bullies holding the reins of power seek to elevate themselves by tearing down the value of our federal workers," he said. " But what they're really doing is demeaning all Americans and diminishing the well-earned respect we once held from the eyes of the world."

Jason Boeshore is an elevator manager in eastern Montana, who spoke of the uncertainty and frustrations many Montana farmers are facing.

"These farmers right now are getting brutalized by the financial industry because of unchecked inflation, and playing a shell game with tariffs," he said. " This is an unprecedented situation."

Saundra Amsden is a retired United States Navy veteran, who is concerned about the well being of veterans, including suicide, as well as job losses and what it could mean for the future.

"Now, we're expecting another 83,000 job losses in the VA alone," she said. "That would include probably about 20,000 veterans. "

"It could result in having to send veterans to outside sources for care," she said, "which is going to increase costs, potentially lower quality and make it inaccessible for some folks."

Monica Tranel is an attorney who was the democratic candidate for Montana's First Congressional Seat.

She lost to Representative Ryan Zinke.

Tranel too, had sobering words for what she sees happening today.

"Every voice matters," she said, "We're in Germany 1934. That's where we are. The momentum that is being gained is real. Every one of us has to speak out, speak up, show up and have courage. Courage is contagious."

She asked people to "commit to take action about the thing you care about."

Calling America "the greatest nation in the world," she said. "Let's be the people who build something, because anybody can knock something down."