Sixth Avenue and Main Street in downtown Longmont has become the local designated protest corner. Organizations such as the Facebook group Longmont Leads With Love have gathered there for vigils, holding up signs and speaking out against President Trump since his inauguration in 2017, and against police brutality this summer.
Recently, supporters of the president and those who rebuke the Black Lives Matter movement have stood across the street and offered an alternative perspective. On July 5 they reportedly outnumbered the more liberal protesters. Civility has been maintained, although both sides have accused the other of nasty comments and rude behavior at times.
Saturday, demonstration fatigue seemed to have set in. By 1:30 p.m. only about 10 to 15 people took up sides at the intersection. Although more passing motorists spoke out against the Trump administration, both sides drew honks and cheers of support. One of the most obvious differences between the two groups was that every BLM supporter appeared to be wearing a mask or face covering, while every opposing protester did not.
“I’m here to stand up for my liberty and to try and put an end to all the hate and division we got going on right now,” Michael Baca of Longmont said as he held a bright green sign that read “ALL LIVES MATTER #UNITE.” His rifle was secured over his shoulder and an armored vest. “I believe we’re seeing an assault on our liberties and we the people need to start coming together and standing up against it.”
While Baca and others said they have frequently been demonstrating at this spot for about two years, Kathy Partridge said Trump supporters only started showing up a few weeks ago to serve as counterprotesters to her and her fellow progressives.
“There’s been no end of issues,” Partridge said. “We’ve been here around climate change. We’ve been here around sensible gun laws. We’ve been here around immigration. We’ve been here because there’s been hate crimes in our own community. Of course the Black Lives Matter movement now. The current administration presents us with no end of opportunities to have to speak up for peace, justice and, I dare say, the American way.”
While one side voiced support for the president, outrage over governmental infringement and disagreement with the BLM movement, the other side displayed signs in favor of LGBTQ rights, Joe Biden’s presidential campaign and questioning the sanity of Donald Trump.
“The sign that says ‘POTUS is Bat-Shit Crazy,’ I think does not help,” said Gene Wilson as he sat beneath the shade of a tree with a Black Lives Matter sign. “Longmont Leads with Love ... have had some very clever signs in the past that were enjoyable even though they aren’t very loveable.”
The issue of police-involved shootings came home early Friday morning. A 911 call about a threatening individual with a weapon resulted in Longmont police shooting a 26-year-old Black man who had an Illinois state ID on him. He is in stable condition and is expected to survive. Two officers have been placed on leave pending an investigation.
“Right now of course, it seems a justified shooting by police but there’s not enough for really, anyone to go on,” Jeffery Justice said. He stood out among the more conservative side of the street with a bright white beard and an American flag. “I stand for all lives matter, all murders matter because I personally know a family whose daughter was murdered by police. They got no justice, they got no peace. They didn’t have the big protests, and rallies, and riots and laws changing because of it.”
Justice was referring to Autumn Steele of Burlington, Iowa, who died after a police officer responded to a domestic disturbance call at her home in 2015. Attempting to shoot her dog, the officer slipped and fatally wounded Steele. Her family later received a wrongful death settlement from the city.
“I’m not going to come down on the police every time there’s a shooting,” said Kathy Clegg, a BLM supporter. “It really bothers me that they’re using the term ‘defund police.’ They ought to change that to be more clear about, ya know, let's take some weight off of their shoulders. There are a lot of good cops and unfortunately, some that think it’s their right to be judge, jury and executioner and that just can’t happen.”
While few opposing protesters appeared to interact with each other, a woman with a sign that simply said “LOVE,” could be seen chatting with Michael Baca about their disagreements.
“Communication is going to be a key step,” Baca said. “Longmont’s my hometown and I care deeply about what happens here. I’ve got a lot of friends and family that are heavily invested in this community.”
