By Misty Kanmore, Chair – Roosevelt County Republican Party
This past weekend, approximately 230 out-of-towners with a few Roosevelt County residents, gathered here in Portales as part of the nationwide “No Kings” protests. Whether we agree or disagree with the protest’s message, it’s important to acknowledge what this local event represented: a peaceful, lawful, and orderly use of free speech, as protected by the First Amendment.
There was no violence. No property damage. No mess was left behind. Just people, taking the time to raise their voices in a Constitutional way. That is something I deeply respect and will always defend, regardless of political affiliation.
However, this moment also raises a deeper question for our community and the political leaders within it: how does the Democratic Party of Roosevelt County celebrate a movement allegedly rooted in democracy, transparency, and public voice, while simultaneously supporting a national party that has consistently undermined those very principles?
Let’s be honest. The Democratic National Committee refused to hold a primary election in 2024. Instead, they chose to anoint Kamala Harris as their presidential nominee without a single vote cast by the American people. There was no democratic process, no debate, and no opportunity for everyday citizens to decide who should represent them on the ballot. That’s not democracy, that’s coronation.
At the same time, their party attempted to remove Donald Trump from state ballots through legal maneuvering after their politically motivated lawfare strategy failed. They also filed lawsuits to block Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from even appearing on the ballot. When did the party of “the people” decide that voters no longer get to choose?
Protesting for change is a right. But true democracy isn’t just about the right to protest, it’s about the right to vote, the right to choose, and the right to be heard in every part of the process, not just the politically convenient parts.
So while I respect the voices raised this weekend, I urge our local citizens to look deeper than signs and slogans. If we’re going to talk about freedom, fairness, and representation, then we must demand it in our political institutions first.
The people of Roosevelt County, and this nation, deserve better than political theater. They deserve real choices, real accountability, and real democracy, and that was not the message from this weekend’s “No Kings” protest.
