Hundreds upon hundreds of protestors lined the giant intersection at Oracle and River Roads in Tucson, condemning Musk and Trump’s destruction of democracy, their betrayal of Ukraine and mass firings of federal workers.
Scores of drivers loudly honked their horns in support Saturday morning near the city’s Tesla dealership. Organizer Phineas Anderson of Tucson said 1,300 people carried signs and joined the protest.
“People tired of Trump, his edicts, and Musk’s,” Anderson said. “Essentially, they’re taking from the public in general to pass their tax reform, which will add $4-to-$6 trillion to the budget. Also, we have to defend our constitution. Trump is trying to solidify power into the executive branch and really harm our three branches of government and how we function as a democracy.”
“This is a time to act now before his authoritarian efforts take hold,” he added. “Please financially support anti-Trump organizations, write letters to the editor and your members of Congress. We have to rise up and combat this would-be tyrant.”
Growing numbers
The mass protest was the fourth of its kind. The first one attracted 52 people; the second one drew 270 people. On Saturday, protestors carried anti-Musk and anti-Trump signs and cheered supporting drivers.
A woman protestor said, “I’m here because my grandparents were immigrants from Hungary. I believe immigration is important for the life of a country. And I believe human rights are important. I believe in our republic and our democracy. It’s being taken away from us. We don’t have time; we’ve got to do something.”
Michael Dues, a longtime Democratic Party leader, said so many people turned out “Because so many people are absolutely incensed at the wrong being done. Americans are for democracy, stand with Ukraine, oppose what Elon Musk is doing, and support public service and democracy.
A male protestor said, “Trump is siding with Putin. This is the United States of America. I served my country, and some guy is telling me that what Trump is doing is defending our rights. He’s been a dictator since day one. He’s just trying to increase his power, and I am not putting up with that shit.”
A man in a tie-dye shirt commented about Trump’s hostile meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. “That display in the Oval Office was the most disgusting thing I’ve seen in my 72 years. You can’t give in to fascism. Protesting like this is easier than hanging them from a light pole, which is not off the table.
He said so many people were protesting, “Because people love our country, they love our freedoms, and we’re not about to give them away to anybody. I won’t cede the playing ground to fascist bullies.
More protests are planned. For more info, contact Phineas Anderson at phineasa@gmail.com.
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