Story and Photos By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
A chorus of car horns filled the afternoon of Saturday, June 14, as approximately 150 citizens from across Carbon and Emery County took to Price Main Street for the ‘No Kings’ rally.
Organized by the Carbon County Democratic Party, the event coincided with the military parade held in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Military. The parade also aligned with President Donald Trump’s birthday.
The gathering remained peaceful throughout the afternoon, with the only police involvement coming when a counterprotester was pulled over for impeding traffic.
United Mine Workers of America International District Vice President Mike Dalpiaz invoked an old union adage,” An injury to one is an injury to all. A wrong against one is a wrong against all,” prompting applause from the crowd.
“Politics have divided Carbon County,” said Donna Dmitrich, daughter of politician Mike Dmitrich. “But my father believed – and I believe – that we still share core values. And he would want us to lead with those values. Because this division is not putting food on the table and it’s not bringing back good jobs. And frankly, it’s making us sick and tired.”
Following each speaker, chants of “no kings” rang throughout the audience.
Talin Hansen addressed the crowd,” Years ago, this area was dominated by UMWA in elections and culturally. We have had success across Carbon and Emery. In the 1976 election when Jimmy Carter was elected, only two counties in Utah voted him for president, Carbon and Emery.”
He continued,” We are a statewide party. We are going to have success up and down the ballot in Carbon, in Emery, and across the state. People are angry and upset, and we need to capitalize on that. Bring them into the fold. Let them know we don’t hate them; we just love everyone.”
Event organizer and Carbon County Democratic Chair Allan Sumnall spoke on growing the movement: ” I am asking you, please, look for grace for our neighbors. Ask for our neighbors to give us grace. Ask for those who we have offended to give us grace. We must come together and understand that thousands and thousands of dollars of projects are held up simply because the legislative body has forfeited its power.”
Rounding out the speakers was former Carbon County Democratic Chair and Congressional hopeful Than Woodward. “Donald Trump speaks like a child because he is. He uses fear and intimidation because he lacks character. He cannot inspire hope, so he inspires hate.”
Woodward went on,” We are in a moment in history where we have to decide who we are as a people … This isn’t a fight we’re having for our opinions. This is a fight we’re having for our hopes; this is not a fight for our wants or desires. For many of us, this is a fight for our lives. This is a fight for the soul of our country and the soul of our planet.”
He closed by stating,” I’m fighting because my heart requires me to fight. I’m going to fight for my children. I’m going to fight for anyone who can’t fight for themselves. But I can’t do this alone. I don’t know why you’re fighting; all that I care about is that you fight. If you need rest, I will stand up and give you that rest … Our generation is faced with a difficult choice here, but it is one I am happy to make.”
