SAFFORD — Upward of 60 people took part locally in the nationwide No Kings Protest Saturday.
The local protest took part at the corner of 20th Avenue and U.S. Highway 70 in Safford.
Kathy Garrett, secretary for the Graham County Democratic Committee and protest organizer, said she believes the increased number of protestors is a direct result of moves by the Trump administration toward autocracy.
“More and more things are happening in the country that people just can’t tolerate any more,” Garrett said. “Our democratic process is being overlooked and the laws are being overlooked.”
It was the seventh Gila Valley protest since President Trump returned to office in January. Previous protests took place April 5, April 19, May 1, June 14, July 17 and Sept. 1.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
It’s estimated that more than 7 million people took part in more than 2,700 No Kings protests across the country on Saturday. Organizers will hold a nationwide group call on Oct. 21 to plan the next action.
Following the protests and amid the ongoing government shutdown, President Donald Trump continues to slump in the polls. The latest Economist/YouGov poll shows Trump with just a 40 percent approval rating, compared to 55 percent who disapprove of his job performance.
