Volusia, Flagler marchers demand Trump release taxes

DAYTONA BEACH — While some people scurry to finish their taxes as the Tuesday deadline to file fast approaches, a group of residents in Volusia and Flagler counties joined protesters nationwide on Saturday in demanding President Donald Trump release his federal tax returns for examination. 

About 100 people turned out to the march organized by various Indivisible groups from the two counties. Marchers stood with their signs at the corner of Beach Street and the International Speedway Boulevard bridge holding signs with slogans such as "Honk 4 Trump Taxes,” “What is Trump hiding?” and “I care about your taxes, Mr. President.”

Feroza Tretsch of Port Orange attended the march with her husband Saturday. Tretsch held up a sign at the corner of Beach Street painted with chalkboard paint that read, “Follow the money” on one side and “Don the Con, showed you mine now you show me yours.”

“Why is he the first president in modern history (who) has not released his tax returns?” she asked. “What is he hiding?”

Since his presidential campaign, Trump has stated he does not want to release his tax returns while they are under audit. There is no law stating he can't release them while he is being audited, but there is also no law that requires Trump to release his private tax returns. 

Trump was the first major-party presidential nominee in over 40 years not to do so. More than 1 million people have signed a White House petition demanding Trump release his returns. 

More than 130 marches were organized nationwide to protest the president not releasing his tax returns. Thirteen of those marches were throughout Florida Saturday. 

There was a steady stream of honks and waves from passing cars as marchers chanted "No more secrets, no more lies. Show your taxes, show them now."

Marty Price of Ormond Beach said he believes Trump providing the public with his tax returns should be a non-partisan issue.

“This is an American problem,” he said.

Sarah Jones of Port Orange said she thinks Trump gave up his privileges as a private citizen when he became president. 

"I believe very strongly that when you enter public service you give up certain privileges," she said. "I believe his taxes would show us he pays very little. He could easily dispel that belief by releasing them."