“The heavily armed individuals who flaunted themselves at the protest, calling themselves a ‘civil guard,’ were there for one reason: To menace protesters, to present an unsanctioned show of unregulated force,” New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
17 June, 2020 – Albuquerque –
A man was shot on Monday 15 June as demonstrators clashed with self-styled ‘militia’ groups .
Violence broke out with a contentious statue being the focal point for heavily-armed groups which showed up on a self-appointed mission to protect it.
Steven Ray Baca, 31, a former city council candidate, was initially charged with the shooting, but now the only charge he faces is one count of unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon. Baca did not have a lawful concealed carry permit.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham spoke of her horror and disgust in a tweeted statement, vowing New Mexico would not tolerate any violent militia terrorizing New Mexicans.
According to the Washington Post, “the Monday night episode — which erupted after a crowd tried to tear down a monument to Spanish conquistador Juan de Oñate — appeared to reflect a phenomenon that federal and state officials have long warned about: Protests over racial injustice, such as the ones currently roiling American cities, can draw a medley of fringe actors or groups with their own ideological agendas.”
The Anti-Defamation League has tracked dozens of instances of what it calls a “small but vocal array” of right-wing extremists appearing at protests.
We have seen self-styled ‘militias’ rising up around the country, appearing at demonstrations or holding their protests – like the scenes last month in Lansing, Michigan when armed, masked men occupied the capital building, intimidating police and elected officials alike in an illogical protest against Covid-19 containment measures .
Governor Grisham is no stranger to threats; for ordering lockdown, a man posted death threats against her life: thankfully the man is being charged – and his earlier attempts to obtain gun permits were turned down.
The 2nd Amendment calls for a ‘well-regulated militia: these groups are not regulated in their operations at all, and they must not be allowed to undermine the remit of police or to threaten peaceful protest.
We sent messages of support to Michigan’s governor over events in the capital building, we will now send support to Governor Grisham.
ACTION:
Please contact Governor Grisham through one of the channels below and give them the following message, personalized to your liking:
Dear Governor
I wanted you to know I stand with your condemnation of the extremists who showed up heavily armed to intimidate protesters in Albuquerque last week.
These self-styled ‘militias’ undermine the authority of legitimate, well-regulated militias such as the national guard. I agree with your assessment that they were operating in Albuquerque to suppress legal, constitutionally-protected rights.
Thank you for taking a clear stance on this phenomenon; America cannot be over-run by maverick groups that are heavily armed; the shooting that occurred in the city proved that something must be done.
or suggested tweet:
Thank you for taking a clear stance on the phenomenon of self-appointed, heavily-armed militias; America cannot be over-run by maverick groups that are heavily armed; the shooting that occurred in the city proved that something must be done.
Phone: (505) 476-2200
Email: (form) https://www.governor.state.nm.us/contact-the-governor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GovMLG/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GovMLG
Once you have made contact, fill out the three fields below and click the orange banner to report taking action!