Protesters are nothing new to Maricopa’s busiest intersection.
Typically dominated by the Maricopa Republican Club with MAGA flags and attire (and the city’s most known anti-Trumper) the corner of John Wayne Parkway and Smith-Enke Road saw a few new faces today.
And this time, none of them wore a poodle mask.
Seven locals wrote their beliefs about President Donald Trump’s executive orders on signboards with Sharpies and planted themselves at the popular intersection at 11 a.m. as “a message to Congress,” according to Homestead resident James Todd.
Todd was wearing a portable oxygen machine and a Vietnam War veteran cap. He was holding a “SUPPORT UKRAINE” sign. The back of the sign read: “HONK IF YOU’RE HORNY!”
“I’m not warlike…They’re the ones dying, they just need help,” Todd said, referring to the Ukrainian forces.
Province resident David Schneider’s difficulty walking did not stop him from protesting today. He said he worked as an assistant to onetime Senator Donald Riegle in Flint, Mich., before moving to Maricopa.
“Walking is not as serious as where this country is headed right now,” Schnieder said while taking a rest on an electrical box, his walker sitting next to him. “When you get into politics, when you see real Republicans and you see real Democrats actually go in the House like I have, and negotiate stuff, and to see what’s going on right now, it’s not right.”
He was joined by his sister-in-law Christina Spear, another Province resident who said she was there to “inspire people to really care.”
“Do your own research. No matter which side it comes from, don’t believe it,” Spear said. “Just because you saw it on Facebook doesn’t mean it’s true.”
Province resident Joyce Sigel echoed that if there’s one thing she hoped Maricopans would learn driving by, it’s to “do a little research on what’s going on … when Trump tells you something, look it up.”
Homestead resident Jason Kuehnl came equipped with a sign reading “THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT YOU OR YOUR EGGS.”
“The American people got exactly what they wanted,” Kuehnl said. “The First Amendment works two ways, so that’s why I’m out here, to be that voice.”
Terry Yoshii, a resident of The Lakes at Rancho El Dorado, had advertised the protest. He said the response had been mixed, but mostly positive. He was holding a sign that read: “Diversity Equity & Inclusion are American Values!”
“It’s been about a dozen positive honks and one, a couple of birds,” he said. “It’s pretty positive, keeps us motivated and keep going.”
Yoshii said he hoped to organize peaceful protests every week, with the possibility of changing locations.
“I’m going to be out here for maybe three hours, once a week, just to grab some attention, and be out here and be crazy,” Yoshii said.
