(Press Staff Photo by Makayla Grijalva)The community-organized freedom drive parades down Bullard Street on July 4, led by a vehicle occupied by Helen and Leif Nordell. The traditional town-sanctioned parade was canceled this year due to concerns about COVID-19.

Red, white and blue still painted Silver City streets and Old Glory flew from the beds of pickup trucks Saturday morning, despite Silver Citys officially sanctioned 2020 Fourth of July parade being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nearly 40 vehicles gathered around Gough Park on July 4 for a community-organized freedom drive, caravanning down Hudson and Bullard streets. A few onlookers along downtown streets witnessed the festivities.

This is the Fourth of July. This is a time where were not Republican, not Democrat were Americans, said Andy Housley, one of the organizers of the drive. This is the first time in history that we would cancel a parade, and it broke my heart, to be honest with you.

All town property, including Gough Park, was closed to July Fourth events earlier last week to prevent large gatherings. On the morning of the drive, caution tape surrounded Gough Park, and police patrolled the area to enforce the rule.

Housley said that he saw the event as a form of protest to protect American freedoms.

The Constitution doesnt stop because of sickness. The Constitution doesnt stop because of a virus, Housley said. We have the right to assemble. We have the right to protest. We have the right to bring our grievances to the government.

Housley said that he began planning the freedom drive which he initially envisioned as a march when the town announced the cancellation of the annual in-person parade. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the group decided to turn the demonstration into a drive instead of a march.

Mask-wearing was not enforced at the event, and few participants were seen wearing masks while mingling prior to the drive. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced last week that those not wearing masks in public spaces could be subject to $100 fines, and encouraged local police to enforce the mandate.

While the event was intended to be nonpartisan, some vehicles donned Trump 2020 campaign flags and other President Donald Trump-themed decorations.

Weve asked no politics, just American flags to support our country, Housley said, adding that he saw most participants following that rule.

One car had a cutout of Trump which they placed in the passenger window, and another convertible had a plush animal bearing the likeness of the president in the back seat between two American flags. However, most vehicles were decorated solely with American flags.

People are going to do their own thing, and thats part of the great thing about being American is that you have that option to do that, Housley said. If somebody wanted to come and put a [Joe] Biden flag. It would be all right. Its about America.

Two participants sporting Trump election merchandise were event organizer Helen Nordell and her husband, Leif Nordell. The couples car led the drive with signs expressing slogans such as God Bless America, and Make 4th of July Great Again.

Everything seems to be running away from us and being taken away from us, Helen said. If we dont stand up now, tomorrow is going to be too late.

Leif said he immigrated to the United States from Sweden, adding that it was a dream of his from the time he was a child to come to this country.

I want to live free, Leif said. I dont have any people to control my life. Thats why I left Sweden.

While the in-person parade was canceled by the town this year, the Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce-organized virtual parade can be viewed online on the Silver City Museum YouTube channel.

MAKAYLA GRIJALVA

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Citizens hold 'freedom drive' in place of parade - Silver City Daily Press and Independent