La Plata County Republicans and Donald Trump supporters gathered at the Durango Mall Saturday evening for a “Freedom Ride” to show their support for the Republican Party ahead of the November presidential election.
The economy, immigration, government accountability and community were big issues for those who attended.
In a parking lot near Durango Mall, parked cars and trucks rocked American flags, Gadsden flags and flags featuring Trump’s defiant fist pump after he survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13.
The first issue that resident Lisa Zimmerman mentioned was the economy and current prices on items.
“The economy is killing me,” she said.
She pays her bills, her child’s bills and her father’s bills on top of what she spends on food.
“Our bills are just absolutely insane,” she said.
She also said the fentanyl crisis and illegal immigration are great concerns. Her sister died in 2016 of a fentanyl overdose, she said.
Zimmerman had just returned to Durango from a Trump rally in Aurora on Friday.
At the rally, Trump reportedly hammered home his zero-tolerance stance on illegal immigration, touted his push to deport immigrants and called Aurora a “war zone” overrun by Venezuelan gangs.
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, a Republican, pushed back against Trump’s claims and said they were “grossly exaggerated,” according to CBS News.
One group member on Saturday said CBS isn’t a trustworthy source, while other members said legacy media is driving division in America and the federal government knowingly approves.
Kirsten Westbrook said the Freedom Ride represents freedom for the country. And freedom is a big concern for her, considering the upcoming presidential election.
“We want to make sure that our voices are heard and seen,” she said.
Mark Westbrook agreed. The couple said the state of the economy, border security and curbing crime are big issues on their minds this election cycle.
“They openly invited people to come across the border,” Kirsten Westbrook said. “That's what they did. And so that doesn't help Americans. When you're the president of the United States, you're supposed to be for the American people, and when you have all these illegals coming across, then that's not helping Americans. Doesn't matter whether you're Republican or Democrat.”
Freedom riders said political and government corruption, money in politics and term limits are important issues. They favored term limits, and they said taking money out of politics would help improve the country.
“(The forefathers) didn’t foresee the career politician,” Zimmerman said.
Mark Westbrook said if corrupt people are prosecuted, a lot of division in the country would be resolved.
“You get all the corruption out of it and the corrupt people out of it, and prosecute them. Don't just send them home, prosecute them,” he said. “They've broken the law and they're still breaking the law.”
Zimmerman said the freedom riders are holding a raffle for flag holders that can be fixed to vehicles. An individual ticket is $5, and six tickets cost $25.
cburney@durangoherald.com