Protesters appeared Monday evening along Cortez’s Main Street for a show of unity, a call against oligarchy and a banded voice of discontent with actions taken by the federal government.
Similar to the “No Kings” rallies held in June, the Labor Day protest, attended by several dozen people about 5 p.m. included many critical of the administration of President Donald Trump.
The hourlong rally was hosted by Indivisible Montezuma County, a group with ties to the League of Women Voters Montezuma County.
Patty Coen, a member of the Indivisible Montezuma County steering committee, described the core message of the protest as “Fascism is at our door.”
“What I hope people will also see is that if they’re starting to get fed up, then they’re not alone.”
Nonetheless, protesters likely attended for slightly different reasons, said co-organizer, Joellen Dickey.
Dickey expressed concerns about various impacts from changes made by the federal government that could in turn lead to people in the community suffering. Offering examples, Dickey mentioned possible detainments by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, loss to health care access and rising food insecurity.
Attendees were also asked to bring donations for Good Sam’s Food Pantry in Cortez.
“If we are organized to talk to each other like this, then we hope we can help people that are hurting,” Dickey said.
Protesters held up signs and chanted as cars passed by. Many vehicles honked.
But not everyone.
“Last time, there was the pickup trucks go by with the diesels and do big black clouds on everybody,” Dickey said.
Dickey said police would be on the lookout for such drivers.
“We haven’t seen it today,” she said of the black diesel clouds. “Those guys are all drinking beer somewhere and having a good time. They’re not bothering us.”
