On Nov. 11, community members and activists rallied in Downtown Albuquerque and marched against fascism following former president Donald Trump’s reelection.
Fascism is a “far-right, authoritarian political philosophy that exalts nation and race above the individual,” according to The Associated Press. Fascist governments are associated with having a dictatorial leader, according to Merriam-Webster.
In an interview with The New York Times, Trump’s former chief of staff called Trump a far-right authoritarian who falls into the general definition of fascist.
Protesters marched on Central Avenue from First Street to the roundabout on Eighth Street, chanting “Immigrants’ rights are human rights,” and “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA.”
Alexandria Aragon came to the protest carrying a sign that read “We want a leader not a ruler.”
“I'm afraid for my future, especially being Queer myself and having a girlfriend,” Aragon said. “I'm scared for my family, because they're immigrants themselves.”
On Nov. 10, Trump announced in a post on Truth Social that his former head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Tom Homan, will oversee border control as “border czar.”
“Tom Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin,” Trump wrote in the post.
UNM alum and community organizer Siihasin Hope addressed the crowd about Trump’s reelection.
“We know it's really sad,” Hope said. “Use that as a motivator.”
Moneka Stevens, a community organizer, spoke to the crowd at the roundabout.
“We don’t know what’s gonna happen, but we know one thing: We’ve always got us,” Stevens said.
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Stevens told the Daily Lobo that she has been organizing since 2000.
“We can't put our hope in politicians. We have to put our hope in each other, and we have to fight back,” Stevens said. “Policies last for two or three years, and then we're fighting on a new policy.”
Police vehicles blocked off Central Avenue while protesters held space at the roundabout before marching back.
When protesters marched back to First Street and Central Avenue, four counterprotesters carrying American flags chanted “USA” and “Trump” from a balcony on the One Central apartment complex.
One man targeted a taser from the balcony toward protesters. No one was hurt.
“It's not about Trump,” Stevens said. “It's about the whole entire system — the system that continues to oppress people.”
Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on X @paloma_chapa88
Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @paloma_chapa88
