Protesters a no-show at Trumped Store

By Mike Leiby, White Mountain Independent

HOW LOW — The owners of the Trumped Store on the Deuce of Clubs had the American Guard standing watch over the store Sunday night after they got word that protesters were on the way to Show Low with the Trumped Store as their target.

Co-owner of the Trumped Store Steve Slaton said they were told by a person who had been on Instagram that he learned on that site that a bus of protesters was supposedly on its way to Show Low from California on Sunday, May 31. Allegedly, they were coming to protest the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police and to demand social change.

There is at this time in America a united effort, by young and old alike, for law enforcement reform and an end to racism. This is especially true among members of law enforcement who some protesters and activists say have too much power in a free society.

Show Low Police Public Information Officer Shawn Roby said the only reason the PD contacted Slaton was to let him know that the rumors about protesters coming to Show Low Sunday and Monday were unvalidated, and were most likely just rumors. Such rumors have been showing up on Facebook for other cities and small towns across the country.

But because there was some speculation by Slaton that it could be true, the American Guard stood watch over the store all night Sunday. There was no activity and no protesters ever showed.

Slaton said they received word again on Monday that a group of protesters were on their way to Show Low, but once again no one showed and it was a night without incident at the Trumped Store.

Roby did say that if protesters come to Show Low and become violent or disruptive in any way, or violate any curfews, they will be dealt with appropriately by police.