{"id":16051,"date":"2025-10-20T01:03:15","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T01:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/no-kings-day-protest-draws-record-level-crowd-in-cortez\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T03:53:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T03:53:29","slug":"no-kings-day-protest-draws-record-level-crowd-in-cortez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/no-kings-day-protest-draws-record-level-crowd-in-cortez\/","title":{"rendered":"No Kings Day protest draws record-level crowd in Cortez"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"An
An estimated 850 people gathered in Cortez, Colorado for No Kings Day on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, to protest the Trump Administration. (Ilana Newman\/Special to The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

On Saturday, more than 854 people gathered on Main Street in Cortez for a No Kings Day protest, in what is believed to be the largest demonstration in the city\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

The rally featured community members holding signs to protest the Trump administration and defend the U.S. Constitution. The No Kings Day event was held nationwide, with nearly 7 million people participating.<\/p>\n

In Cortez, participants \u2013 many in costume \u2013 lined both sides of Main Street from the Colorado Welcome Center to City Market. Several wore inflatable outfits, a trend seen across the state and country, inspired by Portland, Oregon, protests outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility.<\/p>\n

Their message was clear: The nation\u2019s founders created a Constitution to guard against the supreme authority of a monarch. The millions who protested Saturday oppose governance by the executive branch. Protesters represented a range of issues, including health care, public lands, food access and immigration.<\/p>\n

\"At
At least 850 people gathered in Cortez, Colorado for No Kings Day on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, to protest the administration of President Donald Trump. (Ilana Newman\/Special to The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cathy
Cathy Lilly, who lives in Dolores, Colorado, protests in a panda costume in nearby Cortez during No Kings Day, Oct. 18, 2025. (Ilana Newman\/Special to The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

\u201cOur community is so connected to our public lands, to ag. All of those values that we love here are really threatened by this administration,\u201d said Karelia Ver Eeke, a Cortez farmer who attended the protest with family members.<\/p>\n

Organized by Indivisible Montezuma, Saturday\u2019s turnout exceeded previous rallies against the administration of President Donald Trump by more than 100 people. While the official count was 854, attendees estimated the total was higher, citing people on side streets coming and going.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were overwhelmed by the response from the drivers by,\u201d said Indivisible Montezuma organizer Julia Anderson, referring to honks, waves and thumbs-up gestures from motorists on U.S. Highway 160. Some drivers responded negatively, but Anderson said most were supportive.<\/p>\n

Rocky Moss, a Gulf War veteran and Cortez resident, said she joined the protest for her children and their future. \u201cI\u2019m out here because we are on the road to ruin. We are on we are marching towards tyranny, if we\u2019re not already there,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

When asked why she was protesting, attendee Cathy Lilly of Dolores said, \u201cWe\u2019re all immigrants here at one point, and I think the way they\u2019re being treated is just so unjust.\u201d Lilly held a sign that read \u201cWe are Immigrants on Native Land\u201d and wore a panda costume.<\/p>\n

\"Protesters
Protesters holding signs in front of the Colorado Welcome Center during the No Kings Protest in Cortez on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Ilana Newman\/Special to The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Many
Many protesters dressed up in inflatable costumes to make light of the Trump Administration, a trend that showed up across Colorado and the country. (Ilana Newman\/Special to The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Many participants wore shirts or held signs reading \u201cAunt Ifa,\u201d referencing Trump\u2019s criticism of Antifa. \u201cAntifa means Anti Fascist and we\u2019re trying really hard to get that point across,\u201d said Anderson.<\/p>\n

Montezuma County is a solidly red county, with nearly 60% of voters supporting Trump in 2024. But this protest, along with nearly monthly demonstrations hosted by groups such as Indivisible and the League of Women Voters, shows a contingent opposing the administration\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a pretty joyous celebration of like-minded people,\u201d said Anderson.<\/p>\n

Minor counter-protests occurred during the rally. Two individuals were pulled over by Cortez police for rolling coal at peaceful protesters on the sidewalk. According to Anderson, six cars had smashed windows by the end of the rally, including one with an Indivisible sticker belonging to an event organizer.<\/p>\n

Previous protests in Cortez have prompted speculation about protesters being \u201cbused in and paid,\u201d based on news and social media commentary. In response, Anderson said, \u201cIt\u2019s ludicrous to think that 7 million people were paid to show up on Saturday. That\u2019s a lot of money. Has anyone found any bank accounts that showed any transfers of funds?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mancos residents also held a No Kings protest, with at least 220 attendees holding signs at the intersection of U.S. Highway 160 and Main Street from 1 to 2 p.m. on Oct. 18. Sherry Grazda helped organize the event and said, \u201cit\u2019s great for people to be in their own town and see how many people are supporting democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know we\u2019re making a difference in our community. People are telling us that,\u201d said Anderson. She encouraged anyone inspired by Saturday\u2019s protest to get involved with Indivisible Montezuma by emailing indivisiblemontezuma1@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"In
In Mancos, Colorado, population 1200, over 200 people showed up to hold protest signs on U.S. Highway 160 during the No Kings protest Saturday, Oct. 18. (Ilana Newman\/Special to The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Hannah
Hannah Sturm and Sara Hideko Sinclair hold signs in Mancos, Colorado, population 1,200, during the protest on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 More than 200 people showed up to stand on the highway and hold signs to protest the Trump Administration. (Ilana Newman\/Special to The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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