Rally garners national attention

CLOVIS — A political rally planned for Clovis on Saturday has garnered national attention, with local conservatives involved saying concerns from the left are overblown.

A flyer for the rally, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2420 Ashford, implores New Mexico voters to unite for a legal and peaceful protest and notes a special tribute is planned to New Mexico law enforcement and the New Mexico Civil Guard.

Three local legislators — Sen. Pat Woods, R-Broadview, and Reps. Randy Crowder and Martin Zamora, both R-Clovis — are listed as speakers for the event, which is said to feature Trump Victory NM, Cowboys for Trump, Latinos for Trump and Women for Trump.

Curry County Republican Party Chair Rube Render told The News the organization was asked to provide a venue for a peaceful protest that would feature voter registration, stopping voter fraud, stopping voter suppression and protecting constitutional rights.

“The Curry County GOP supports all of these issues,” Render said, “and we provided the venue.”

Render said the framing of the event as a Cowboys for Trump rally was incorrect, noting that none of the speakers listed on the flyer is a representative of that group.

However, Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin told Business Insider he was helping plan the event.

The New Mexico Democratic Party raised issues with the rally, noting the presence of the New Mexico Civil Guard and Cowboys for Trump.

Bernalillo County has filed a lawsuit against the NMCG, alleging illegal assumption of law enforcement duties. The guard group is led by Bryce Spangler, former New Mexico commander of the New Confederate States of America.

Regarding Cowboys for Trump, Griffin came under fire for saying in July that Black athletes critical of the United States should “go back to Africa.”

“Instead of condemning Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin’s recent racist remarks about African Americans or speaking out against the New Mexico Civil Guard’s intimidation of peaceful protesters, the New Mexico GOP continues to give far-right groups a platform,” said Miranda van Dijk, a spokesperson for the Democratic Party of New Mexico in an interview with Business Insider. “New Mexicans deserve leaders who will bring us together for open and honest conversation, not candidates who openly embrace division and hatred.”

Woods said Thursday his function at the rally is to discuss current events, including Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s pandemic response that includes business shutdowns and what he contends is illegal spending of state dollars. He said he has no affiliation with other groups at the event.

“Do I agree with the neo-Nazis? Do I agree with the segregationists? No,” Woods said. “I know many people who are of a different skin color than me. Many of them are my friends. They are good, moral people. What would I have against them?”

Woods said it was unfair to associate him with those groups because of his presence, arguing by that logic he would be associated with the political beliefs of somebody he had a debate with.

“If they want to bring up their causes of neo-Nazi or segregation, I’d (debate them),” Woods said. “There’s no place in our country for that. And I’ll debate one of those guys that thinks late-term abortion is a good thing. I’d debate them too.”

Render said the state GOP does not support any far-right organizations.

“The state party chairman has reiterated this many times,” Render said. “Antifa and other far-left groups that regularly align themselves with the Democrat Party are seldom called out by the Democrats and their allies in the media. Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”

Render said he doesn’t expect the state’s public health orders regarding mass gatherings will be violated because the event is a protest. He said participants are encouraged to follow all public health guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic.