Community members gathered to rally against the Trump administration outside the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library on the corner of Picacho Avenue and Main Street on Saturday, April 19. Organizers said this rally, called “No Kings”, was united with a stream of national protests through the 50501 movement.
“The whole idea is to save our democracy, and we’ve got to make some changes so we don’t lose it,” said attendee and organizer, Lori Dimaggio. “And this is how grassroots events start.”
The rally was organized by a local Indivisible chapter, part of a national grassroots organization that aims to “elect progressive leaders, rebuild our democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda.” Pam Hett, one of the leaders of Indivisible Las Cruces, said the goal of the protest was threefold: to spread the message that the U.S. doesn’t need a king; to stress the importance of due process for everyone; and to express that the current administration should be “hands off” government programs that have been threatened with cuts.
“Those would be the three biggies of why we’re out here,” Hett said. “We all have different reasons. And that’s the beauty of it.”
Hett’s sign read “Bring Kilmar home” in support of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a resident of the U.S. who was mistakenly deported to the CECOT prison in El Salvador. Other protesters held a variety of flags and handmade signs. Dimaggio remarked that everyone has potential to be negatively affected by the changes made by the administration.
“They got to be held accountable in every way possible,” Dimaggio said. “And this is what the people can do. I mean, look at this … You can’t just sit back and expect things to change. You gotta act – and grassroots stuff like this is really what’s making the difference. It really is. And the more we do it, the better I think we are. And at least, I’m gonna fight.”
Deb Hands was at the rally with Blue CD2 New Mexico, a local organization that formed after the last election cycle, focused on keeping a Democrat in New Mexico’s Congressional District 2 seat through voter outreach and widespread messaging. She reiterated concerns with the Trump administration.
“I mean, they’re not leaving anybody untouched by this,” Hands said. “Just breaking everything that they possibly can, as fast as they possibly can, with no rhyme or reason … and establish[ing] an autocracy.”
Fears and concerns surrounding the state of U.S. democracy were common at the protest.
“Trump and the oligarchs are trying to destroy our democracy,” said one rally attendee, Jacob. “They’re dismantling the government one piece at a time … I don’t want to live that way.”
George, a U.S. Army veteran who attended the protest, shared that he’s also worried about the fall of democracy. He said he is fearful of future cuts to Veterans Affairs, and that he has already felt the effects of the administration’s changes. George held a sign that read “Army Vet / Dump Trump” and “Trump = Fascist Traitor.”
Rudy Ruacho, a social worker and NMSU alumnus, said he attended the rally because he wants to advocate for people’s rights. He remarked that many people who he’s working with are going through painful times because of impacts of the current administration.
“I’m seeing all our rights just going away,” he said. “So, I’m doing this for myself, for my family, and for a lot of other people I take care of.”
Ruacho said “without our voices, we’re nothing,” and people must speak out for everyone’s rights, not just their own. He noted that while protesting and voting are within citizens’ rights, those rights are also being threatened, specifically with implications of the proposed SAVE Act. The act would require proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration, including birth certificates and/or passports — meaning that voting rights for people who have changed their last name after getting married could be in jeopardy if their current name does not match their proof of citizenship documents.
“Women’s votes are in jeopardy. And so, we have to speak out,” Ruacho said. “I’m hoping that people around the world get the message that we’re fighting for all of us, because I think democracy is worldwide.”
Another main issue for demonstrators was the state of the economy. Many shared worries about how Trump’s policies will affect the majority of citizens.
“I think the steps that our president has taken are very, very egregious,” said Roscoe Louie, another attendee. “They’re stepping on a lot of people with no consideration whatsoever to the impacts … I really feel that the greater part of America is getting taken advantage of, if you will, by this administration. And I do think because of these tariff policies, we’re probably headed for a recession, if not a depression.”
Louie said he thinks many people at the rally, including himself, are out protesting because they “can’t take it anymore.” He said he’s happy to see communities like Las Cruces supporting this movement and raising their voices.
Hands also reflected on the importance of smaller communities raising their voices, stating that the amount of protests happening is just as significant as the number of people attending them. She encouraged younger generations to continue fighting for their rights, too.
“It’s your futures that’s going to be affected even more than ours,” Hands said. “We want to attract more young people and get them to vote and get them engaged.”
Another attendee, Lando, said they were at the rally because they are alarmed about the direction the country is headed. They noted that it’s important to remember Americans have a right to free speech and free assembly without being persecuted based on their identity or beliefs.
“I feel like America was premised on the concept of no kings and everybody having a vote, and we’re in the midst of a push from the right-wing government that is trying to remove our votes and institute unitary executive power, and we don’t have kings in America,” Lando said. “And even if I weren’t trans, that would be enough to be out here. But also, as a trans person, my civil rights and the rights of migrants and immigrants and women and everybody who isn’t a white Christian conservative male is under direct threat, and we have to stop it before it happens – before it goes too far.”
Lando remarked on the power of protest and voicing concerns against the government.
“Trump is a reprehensible person individually, but that’s his right to be,” they said. “But he doesn’t have the right to make the rest of the country over in his image. And I’m really glad to see everybody out here, even if it’s scary and even if it feels pointless or like we’re powerless, we still have the right to stand up and say no.”
Overall, the rally unified many in the community and was a space for protesters to express their disapproval of the Trump administration.
“I think in some respects, it’s solidarity, knowing that you’re not the only one that feels this way, knowing that there’s other people in the community who also see what’s going on and disagree with it,” said attendee Scott Kaiser. “And hopefully, at least at the local level, we can come together … and make Las Cruces a more welcoming and better place, and hopefully it’s contagious.”
Hett said there will be another rally this Thursday, May 1 at 6 p.m. at Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, this time focusing on worker solidarity and immigrant rights. All are welcome to join.
