by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

About 100 people braved triple digit temperatures at Shelton Park Saturday in a protest billed as “a rally for the Constitution.”

The event, spearheaded by the Foothill Coalition for Democracy, included remarks from protesters, a skit commenting on what organizers say is an attack on democracy by the Trump administration, and the delivery of several petitions to the Claremont Police Department, “asking for police support and protection for our peaceful protests,” according to organizers.

Declan Floyd, a district director for California District 41 Assemblymember John Harabedian, speaks at Saturday’s “rally for the Constitution” at Shelton Park. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

“The goal of this event is to bring together people from different political perspectives, but who share a concern about what’s happening to our democracy,” said Claudia Strauss, media liaison for the Foothill Coalition for Democracy and a Pitzer College professor of anthropology. “What’s alarming to me is this administration’s disregard for the rule of law, for the Constitution that President Trump was sworn to defend. He doesn’t care that the Fifth Amendment gives everybody residing in the United States, citizens or not, the right to due process. That is really alarming; that’s what you see in dictatorships.”

“Let’s fight this for the principle of democracy,” said Claremont resident Mel Boynton. “And let’s fight this because our planet is done if we don’t do something.”

Declan Floyd, a district director for California District 41 Assemblymember John Harabedian, also spoke at the event. “So … let me make sure we’re all on the same page about a few things … about why we’re here: do we think it’s OK for Elon Musk to be running the federal government? Do we think it’s OK for Donald Trump to be telling women what they can and cannot do with their own bodies?” Floyd asked.

11-year-old Claremont resident Huxon Margiotta presents petitions to Claremont Police Department records clerk Corrina Robles, concluding Saturday’s “rally for the Constitution.” Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

Claremont McKenna College sophomore Eli Jobrack Lundy, president of the 5C College Democrats, speaks at the “rally for the Constitution” Saturday at Shelton Park. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

Mel Boynton speaks at Saturday’s “rally for the Constitution” at Shelton Park. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

A skit, “A Crack in the Statue of Liberty,” followed, highlighting the power and purpose of the Constitution.

At about 3 p.m. the demonstrators walked to nearby Claremont police station and delivered the petitions, which were presented to CPD records clerk Corrina Robles by 11-year-old Claremont resident Huxon Margiotta.