In the aftermath of former President Donald Trump being shot in the top part of his right ear at a Pennsylvania rally, a group of his supporters assembled on a rainy Sunday afternoon at the Durango Mall for a “freedom ride for Trump” heading toward downtown Durango.
“We have to stand with President Trump. We can’t allow for this violence. … We do not stand for the violence whatsoever,” said Lisa Zimmerman, one of the event organizers.
The Durango Herald reached out to La Plata County Democratic Party Chairwoman Anne Markward for comment about the shooting and Sunday’s event. The LPC Democratic Party said in a Saturday night post on its Facebook page that the shooting was “horrifying” and that violence is never the answer.
About 35 people gathered at the mall, then proceeded around the back of the Sears building in their vehicles – decked with Trump flags – before looping back toward Camino del Rio going north toward Main Avenue and College Drive.
Prior to their stop in Durango, the group made their way through Pagosa Springs earlier in the day.
The shooting at a Trump rally sent shock waves across the country. Two people, including the alleged shooter, died, and at least two other people were injured.
“We just need to stand up and show that America is strong, and we’re not going to let something like that faze us,” said Ron Bogs, the second event organizer. “(Sunday’s event is) definitely needed. Everyone needs to show their patriotism, regardless of what side you’re on.”
Zimmerman said her first reaction was “complete shock” and “instant praying” for Trump’s speedy recovery. Although Zimmerman doesn’t “necessarily believe” the incident will unite Coloradans given political divisions, she hopes it will unite more people in other parts of the country.
“This has been insane. We’ve had crazy stuff happen here in Durango in 2020,” she said, saying that she and her son were nearly run over by a vehicle that year during an event at Santa Rita Park. “Political people get a little nuts and they get a little crazy.”
Speaking about the current political atmosphere, Zimmerman said she saw truck drivers in Pagosa Springs during the earlier event flip off participants.
Although no counterdemonstrators showed up at the starting point in Durango, Bogs warned participants before they set out to expect some people to act “nasty” toward them nearing downtown, and that they should refrain from reciprocating such behavior. Zimmerman also warned participants beforehand that people could step in front of their vehicles.
Amid the current political climate, and with the 2024 presidential election happening Nov. 5, both Zimmerman and Bogs said they believe the atmosphere will get worse before it gets better.
mhollinshead@durangoherald.com
A previous version of this article incorrectly stated in the photo caption which group organized the event.
