(NM) Hundreds gather for protest against quarantining, masks, governor's handling of COVID-19

[left-of-center2012]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- ‘Cowboys for Trump’ joined the ‘New Mexico Civil Guard’, political figures, business and religious leaders Thursday at the "Protest for Freedom" in Albuquerque. Hundreds of attendees, some armed with guns, protested the governor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic at Civic Plaza in downtown Albuquerque. Children, who were not wearing masks, were seen at the protest with signs. The signs asked to be allowed to play sports and return to school.

Steve Smothermon, pastor at Legacy Church, which had a lawsuit over the public health order thrown out, spoke at the protest. "To see how America is just so easily been manipulated and told what to do without even a fight, and today we start fighting," Smothermon said. "They need to know this is over. Today we start fighting for our freedoms."

Speakers also expressed opposition to quarantining, the mask requirement and restaurants closing indoor dining. In general, they claimed their freedoms are being limited. Several Republican politicians also had harsh criticism of the governor decision-making. "Big government telling us we can't sit in a restaurant but we can sit outside or we can crowd into Walmart," said Scott Chandler who is running for the state House seat for district 32. "None of it makes sense."

The protest, which remained peaceful, lasted about two hours. The Albuquerque Police Department appeared to be monitoring the event. However, KOB 4 did not witness anyone receiving a citation for not wearing a mask or having a gun.

https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/dozens-gather-for-protest-against-quarantining-masks-governors-handling-of-covid-19/5796697/

[Mike 03]

1. What a pity. New Mexico so far has respectable COVID numbers. Guess these folks want

NM to look more like Arizona and Texas.

[marybourg]

2. If we could just manufacture enough of the N95 masks,

which primarily protect us, rather than others, those of us who believe in science could protect ourselves, leaving the trumpanzees to their own lethal devices.

[Beringia]

3. Exactly

Let them choose their own fate, not ours

[Hugin]

4. Hmm... Smothermon.

There's irony for you.

I've seen photographs of this protest and it appeared to be 'tens' and nowhere near 'hundreds'.

[duhneece]

5. This DUer is running for state senate in County with Cowboys for Trump

Please support my campaign. Cowboys for Trump founder is ‘my’ County Commissioner. He has said, and Trump tweeted it, “The only good Democrat is a dead Democrat.” This is what we’re up against and why I’m running. Every campaign material is also supporting US Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small who is in a very tough race.

[MosheFeingold]

6. I think it's her mannerisms.

I am a NYC transplant to NM; specifically Lincoln County.

She has been coming across as very dictatorial. From what I've seen, even our local tribe (Mescalero Apache) are firmly against her -- I know several members of their "board" (basically, they set up the tribal governance like a corporation) and they all have tRump signs in their yards.

I am not sure what the disconnect is.

I think NM citizens just don't like to be told what to do, kind of an oppositional-defiance disorder thing.

I think we'd have been better off selling it as "please voluntarily do this to protect the elders around you" and we'll waive taxes for stores who require their customers wear masks.

Or maybe that's Lincoln County, where literally everyone knows someone whose parents were in the Lincoln County War (as in, Billy-the-Kid, the whole lot of them)

[Andy823]

7. They rename the group

"IDIOTS" for trump!