Saturday rally canceled, but other events planned

CLOVIS — A rally that was planned for Saturday morning at the 2400 block of Ashford is not happening. But, other events in support of President Trump are set to take place.

A rally asking New Mexico voters to unite for a “legal peaceful protest” lost support from most of its key speakers and one of the groups it planned to honor earlier in the week, and City Manager Justin Howalt told The News a permit filed for the Saturday rally at 2420 Ashford has been withdrawn and the permit payment refunded.

A flyer stated the rally would pay special tribute to the New Mexico Civil Guard and New Mexico law enforcement, but the NMCG announced over the weekend it would not participate in the event due to remarks by scheduled speakers that came off as “blatantly racist.” The group has declined to elaborate on the statement or identify the speakers it referenced.

In lieu of the rally, a pair of groups that support the president are planning 10 a.m. events in the city.

The Cowboys For Trump organization, founded by Couy Griffin, noted in a Wednesday Facebook post it still intended to gather in Clovis 10 a.m. Saturday.

Rep. Randy Crowder, R-Clovis, who was originally listed as one of the speakers for the event, said he offered Griffin use of land he owns southeast of the Seventh-Norris intersection to assuage any concerns of private property owners where such events were rumored to be held.

Clovis Police Chief Doug Ford told The News Friday he still had to confirm details when Griffin arrived in town, but it was his understanding from a phone conversation the group planned a horse ride from Crowder's property to Main Street along Seventh Street, and that the CPD planned to provide some level of escort to and from the downtown area.

Leeann Glen, general manager at the North Plains Mall, said there have been concerns about online posts noting mall parking lots would be used for a Saturday event, but that nobody has contacted her regarding such an event.

Crowder said Griffin accepted his offer. An email sent to Cowboys for Trump was not immediately returned.

Also Thursday, a group called the Freedom Grannies contacted The News. A representative declined to name herself or other individuals with the group, but said the group was comprised of four grandmothers associated with Bikers for Trump who want to make New Mexico a Republican state and leave it a better place for their grandchildren.

She said the group got all of the appropriate clearances for the event, only to have the Republican Party disassociate itself after media reports previewed the event. The representative said the group still supports the NMCG despite its decision to withdraw and Griffin despite his decision to hold a separate event.

The Freedom Grannies still plan to congregate at 10 a.m. Saturday, but refused to disclose the location. The representative implored potential counterprotesters to ignore their event, noting they did not interfere with the George Floyd protests in July.

Curry County Republican Party Chairman Rube Render reiterated on Thursday the Trump Victory office located at 2420 Ashford — the planned site of the original rally — will be closed Saturday.