By Larry Higgs, Richard Cowen and Steve Strunsky | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

In Montclair and Monroe, Toms River and Red Bank, Princeton and Cape May, big packs of protesters gathered at spots across New Jersey on Saturday to demonstrate against President Donald Trump.

The rallies, which drew hundreds to thousands of people apiece ay several Garden State locations despite wet and dreary weather, were part of mass organized protests Saturday through the nation called "Hands Off!"

The goal: to speak out against Trump’s policies and actions about two months into his return to the White House, including his hot-button push for tariffs, the steep drops in the stock market, the threat of Medicaid cuts, and the vast and controversial federal government overhaul being overseen by Elon Musk at the new Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

There were more than 20 events scheduled in New Jersey, including Union City, Bridgewater, Metuchen, Hopewell, Atlantic City, and more. There were gatherings planned at capitals in all 50 states — Trenton included — and a march in Washington, D.C., too.

In Brookdale Park, which straddles Montclair and Bloomfield, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker was one of several officials who spoke to the massive crowd, which organizers estimated was as large as 8,000 people.

“What we are showing here once and for all is the power of the people is greater than the people in power,” the New Jersey Democrat said.

Booker’s remarks came just a few days after he gained national attention with a record-breaking 25-hour speech on the Senate floor to criticize Trump. That instantly made him one of the leading Democrats in the party’s pushback against the Republican president.

“I can stand a long time,” Booker, his voice still hoarse from that marathon address, said at Saturday’s rally. “We know we can stand a long time, all of us.”

“We will rise together. We will fight together. And we will win”

In Jersey City, about 150 people gathered outside the Newport PATH Station in an orderly but heartfelt demonstration.

Participants held American flags and signs ranging from the humorous (a milk carton with “Missing, Checks and Balances” written on it) to the poignant (“My daughter deserves better” held by a pregnant woman).

The Jersey City rally was a prelude for some who planned to ride PATH trains to participate in a larger event in New York City.

The crowd chanted along with a man shouting through a bullhorn, with one round of chanting “ho, ho, hey, hey Trump just crushed your 401K.”

Demonstrators said they had many reasons for coming out on the cold, rainy morning.

Darlene Mayser of Jersey City held a homemade “hands off libraries” sign. She said she was concerned about public assets, including those affected by an executive order to ramp up timber production in 280 acres of national parks and public lands.

“I came out because I’m terrified,” Mayser said. “We’re losing our democracy, we’re in a coup and what scares me is so many people don’t understand what’s going on.”

“We’re going to lose all our public assets, they’re all going to be transferred to the robber barons,” she said, referring to Trump’s March nomination of Tom Schultz, a former lumber industry executive, to lead the U.S. Forest Service.

Mayser mentioned concerns a proposed $4.5 trillion in tax cuts over 10 years in legislation the U.S. Senate approved Friday night.

“We ... the regular people ... will be paying taxes, and that money will go to the super rich while they rob us,” Mayser said.

Brad Escobar of Manalapan said his father was a Cuban immigrant and new immigrants should have the same opportunity he had.

“I was always proud of him and what his family did, they came here, they got jobs, they worked hard, they built the life that I have now,” he said. “I’m not willing to shut the door on anyone else who want s to come into this country, let alone the millions of other r people whose rights are under attack because of the federal government.

Escobar added: “I want to be out here to fight tyranny.”

Elizabeth Cook of Jersey City said she was moved by a sign held by a same-sex couple and concerned about policies that could prevent them from marrying.

“I saw a sign that said hands off my marriage, it gave me a lump in my throat,” she said. “These people have rights, they’re allowed to get married, to love each other. It has to stop and this is how we’re going to do it.

Despite having to go from the demonstration directly to work, Cook said it was important to attend.

“I care about the future I care about my country. I love the United States and it breaks my heart to see what’s happening,” she said. “I want a better future for the world.”

Caroline of Bayonne said she was angry that not enough people were upset about what’s transpired in their democracy.

“We’ve been acting like this is normal for far too many years and I’m happy to see a group of people standing up and I want to be a part of it,” she said. “Our government is becoming an Oligarchy. I don’t want Elon Musk’s hands on social security, on mine or my grandparents or my mothers.”

Asked about the nationwide protests, the White House said in a statement that “President Trump’s position is clear: he will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the Democrats’ stance is giving Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare benefits to illegal aliens, which will bankrupt these programs and crush American seniors.”