With hundreds wearing red, white and blue while waving “Trump-Pence” signs, it would seem like a campaign rally if Trump hadn’t already been president for 43 days.
Instead, the crowd on the west side of the state Capitol Saturday rallied to show support for the president as part of a nationwide “March 4 Trump,” designed to counter protests against Trump’s actions, some of which have been occurring almost weekly in Denver.
“We’re all he has. That’s it,” said former Congressman Tom Tancredo. “It’s not the media. The deplorables must keep this revolution alive, even in the darkness that is to come.”
“We are fighting for the soul of America,” he added. “But my God, can you think of a better fight?”
Former Colorado congressman @ttancredo at #March4Trump rally: "For me, every day since Jan. 20 has been like Christmas." pic.twitter.com/jscssVGKUI
— Danika Worthington (@Dani_Worth) March 4, 2017
Tancredo, like many of the speakers, used the term “deplorables” as a term of pride and endearment for Trump supporters. The crowd cheered as Tancredo listed some of Trump’s actions since taking over the presidency, including clearing the way for the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, taking first steps to dismantle the Affordable Care Act and cutting the number of refugees accepted into the U.S. while also prioritizing those who are Christian.
“For the first time in eight years, I’m actually proud of my president,” Tancredo said.
Pro-Trump ralliers have so far cheered for Trump's support of DAPL & southern border wall. Call him the most LGBT friendly president pic.twitter.com/CxPB1IsIbd
— Danika Worthington (@Dani_Worth) March 4, 2017
Other “March 4 Trump” rallies occurred across the country, including outside Trump Tower and the Washington Monument. A similar “Spirit of America” rally was held at the state Capitol on Monday.
Several of the speakers emphasized the importance of supporting Trump on a grassroots level while also criticizing the mainstream media’s coverage of the president.
Don Ytterberg, who has been part of the Republican party in Colorado for years and made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014, asked why conservatism wasn’t sweeping the nation.
“We, the silent majority, are too timid,” he answered. “We will be silent no more.”
As the rally kicked off with a prayer, a group of counter protesters wearing all black crowded the bottom of the hill. Opposing sides drowned each other out with chants of “USA” and “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA.”
Although heated words were exchanged, no arrests were made.
Counter group and Trump supporters chant at each other but law enforcement has kept a barrier pic.twitter.com/lk3RHtkcYX
— Danika Worthington (@Dani_Worth) March 4, 2017
Before the protesters arrived, Greeley resident Samuel Adams said he supported people’s right to respectfully protest. But he said “professional agitators” have been ruining America.
“They haven’t even given the president a fair shake yet,” Adams said.