As Donald Trump does a victory lap as he takes the Republican nomination for President, the movement against his populist nationalist rhetoric has been increasing in intensity. The recent stop in Albuquerque, New Mexico saw people flooding the street looking to shut down the event just like they did in Chicago and promised to in Vancouver.
During the action there were four arrests, and the organizers are continuing the work by doing court support and fundraising for those who put themselves on the line. According to the fundraiser, the Albuquerque Police Department is trying to go after an additional thirty protesters who they are labeling with dog-whistle language like “thugs.”
On Tuesday, May 24, 2016, hundreds took to the street to reject Trump’s racism, xenophobia, and misogyny. Albuquerque residents used a diversity of tactics to make their voices heard, ranging from holding signs and chanting to throwing rocks at the cops defending the Trump rally and attacking protesters.
4 people were arrested during the protests: 2 adults and 2 minors. In the aftermath, APD is attempting to track down 30 “thugs” the department claims committed crimes on May 24. They released photos of suspects, targeting and profiling Latino youth. APD says they are waiting until they have built air-tight cases to begin their arrests, so we don’t know who or how many people will be arrested.
The money we raise will be used for legal expenses for anyone charged at the Trump protest in Albuquerque. As this unfolds, we need to be prepared to provide money for bail, legal fees, and if possible, legal representation.
Donald Trump joined in with the Albuquerque Police Department in calling the protesters thugs, and honed in on the fact that Mexican flags were present. This is intended to signal to his base that the protesters were “not one of us” and have an “allegiance to Mexico,” which will play into the right-wing narrative that Mexicans are “colonizing” the American Southwest.
The police treated the protesters with violence, using smoke grenades against the crowd. They said that this was in response to rocks, plastic bottles, and burning t-shirts being thrown at officers. Several protesters were able to get inside with banners reading things like “We’ve heard enough” and “Trump is a Fascist.” Some of the 4,000 Trump supporters chanted back “Build the Wall!” in response. At the end of the event, the convention center had its glass doors smashed and Trump’s speech disrupted.
They need donations to go directly to those who need legal support and are facing legal charges due to protest actions. Though there are four in custody, the Albuquerque Police Department is committed to going after other people in the region.
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