Around 100 protesters gathered between 25th and 32nd streets in downtown Durango on Sunday afternoon for a fourth No Kings demonstration – one of many nationwide.
The rallies were intentionally held on Flag Day – also Donald Trump’s birthday – as a form of protest and patriotism, said Karen Pontius with Indivisible Durango and La Plata County Democrats.
Many protesters flew American flags alongside signs touting sayings like “Fight ignorance, not immigrants,” and “Fear, lies and hate does not make U.S. great.”
“This is people power,” Pontius said. “… (Some people) think we’re not patriots, but these are the patriots. (The Trump administration) is destroying so many of our institutions – that we will get back with a lot of hard work – and I think people who aren’t engaged, they aren’t seeing that it’s going take a lot of work, and they’re going to have to get involved, and voting is going to be so important.”
Sunday’s rally had a significantly smaller turnout than the third No Kings demonstration, which drew over 3,000 people to downtown Durango on March 28.
One protester said the previous rally gave attendees three months’ notice, and Sunday’s only two weeks, and that Sunday’s rally was organized more informally on the local level – all of which may have contributed to the smaller turnout, she said.
Bayfield resident Kim Martin has attended all four No Kings protests in Durango, and said what keeps her coming back is hope that the demonstrations will make a difference on the federal level.
“It just feels important to make our views known,” she said.
Multiple protesters said they hope the No Kings rallies inspire action in attendees and an understanding that individual actions can create meaningful change.
A largely upbeat energy surrounded Sunday’s rally. Many passing cars honked, and some drivers stuck signs or thumbs-ups out their windows as they passed. Several other vehicles revved their engines or shot dirty looks at protesters.
Vallecito resident Marilyn McCord, who held a homemade sign covered in frogs, said she hoped to bring some levity to the rally with her artwork.
“It adds a whimsical nature to it, and keeps it from being so serious, but it still gets the message across,” she said.
Pontius said she hopes people understand that protesters who attended Sunday’s No Kings rally – and the previous three – are there by choice, in the name of hopeful change.
“Nobody’s paying for this. This is all volunteer, you know?” she said. “This is people exercising their rights on public land.”
Protesters gathered at the La Plata County Fairgrounds following the rally for a viewing of the “Rise Up, Sing Out” concert, which was livestreamed from New York City.
epond@durangoherald.com
