More than 600 people concerned about actions taken by the Trump administration walked along Cortez’s Main Street Saturday morning as part of a “Hands Off!” march. Several observers counted the participants and verified the number, which makes it the largest protest march in recent memory in Montezuma County. Some 1,200 “Hands Off!” rallies took place nationwide. In Southwest Colorado, people also marched in Durango, Pagosa Springs, Telluride and Montrose. The participants in Cortez carried signs voicing concerns about threats to free speech, public lands, immigrants, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and LGBTQ rights. One sign read, “Hands off my imported wine,” a reference to tariffs that President Trump has imposed. Another said, “This is the only immigrant taking away American jobs,” with a picture of Elon Musk. Participants then gathered at the Cortez Cultural Center plaza for some speeches by local residents. The marchers drew a number of supportive honks and few negative reactions other than a couple of blasts from coal-rollers. The president of the Montezuma County chapter of the League of Women Voters, Karen Sheek, is pleased that the event went peacefully. The league spearheaded the local rally after being asked to provide support. Sheek told KSJD, “People are concerned with what’s going on, and this gave people the opportunity to be with others who are concerned.” The day before the march, the league held a town hall in Dolores with the southwest regional director for Senator John Hickenlooper, Lisa Pool. A number of citizens voiced concerns to her about how federal funding cuts and other administration actions will affect the local area.
