by Stephanie Mendez
Saturday was a celebration of activism in rural Northern New Mexican lead by the always hard working Dimid Hayes. Several ISF members responded to Dimid’s message at Monday’s meeting by making the trip to Abiquiú for a roadside protest and rally. Both the protest and rally brought out many local Indivisible activists but the highlight of the event was 93 year old Truman Nabors who recounted his experiences with Dr. Martin Luther King in Selma, Alabama. Those experiences in Selma are impressive enough on their own. But add to that his current activism, sitting alone weekly for a year alongside highway 84 until others began to join him. A true, living hero held a sign that said Save Democracy
Reclaiming the Dream - Abiquiu
by Mitch Chapman
The "Reclaiming the Dream" event in Abiquiu, celebrating a year of weekly rallies along Highway 84, drew at least 40 participants. In addition to the originators of the rally from Indivisible Abiquiu / Youngsville, attendees came from other Indivisible groups including Jemez Springs, Santa Fe, Española, and Chama. (Shoutout to the Chama Chicken!)
In the course of the morning, cars passed from New Mexico, Colorado, and California. Quite a few honked and waved. After the rally, many attendees walked to the Abiquiu Inn, guided single-file by the ISF safety team (Shoutout to Linda Flatt for organizing the safety team!)
50-70 people attended the luncheon. The setting was ideal, with cool weather and blue skies under the cottonwoods at Abiquiu Inn. Guests staying at the Abiquiu Inn, including one from California, stopped to ask about the event and to express support.
Dimid Hayes of Rural Indivisible served as master of ceremonies.
Charles Carrillo, anthropologist, santero, and Abiquiu resident, gave the opening prayer. He also spoke about Abiquiu as an early example of a successful diverse community. He described the (re)establishment of Abiquiu by Governor Tomás Vélez Cachupín, who brought peace between Spaniards, Utes, Comanches, and Genízaros.
Guest speakers included Juan De Jesus Sanchez III, a candidate for New Mexico State Land Commissioner; Amanda López Askin, a candidate for New Mexico Secretary of State; and deCoy Gallerina, who sang and gave the closing blessing.
Phil Factor, who started Abiquiu/Youngsville Indivisible, introduced the main speaker – the inspiration for the event – Truman Nabors.
As they ate, each table of attendees tried to complete a homework assignment: introducing themselves, explaining why they were attending, and developing ideas, plans, and goals for actions to be taken after the gathering.
As promised, there were door prizes. Peter Black and his band played throughout the luncheon. Both the Raging Grannies and ISF's own Brian Johnson (accompanied on melodica by a friend) led sing-alongs.
Links
Video of the talk by Phil Factor and Truman Nabors:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvBmUyw4ZmM
Photos and short videos by deCoy Gallerina:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DXSILi_jz2C/
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DXSU6UUEhkJ/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXR_nDziBQU/
A bit more about Mr. Carrillo:
Abiquiu - a Genízaro Community:
"Valley of Shining Stone: The Story of Abiquiu," by Lesley Poling-Kempes, includes a long section on the relationship between Genízaros and Abiquiu:
