Concerns expressed at City Council meeting on possible disruptions planned for Saturday political gathering

January 6, 2016

Concerns were expressed at last night's Bonners Ferry City Council meeting that attempts may be made to disrupt a planned political gathering this Saturday. A group called the Concerned Citizens of Boundary County is planning a gathering this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at the Georgia Mae Plaza in downtown Bonners Ferry. This group was formed in response to the recent resolution passed by Boundary County commissioners regarding resettlement of refugees in the United States. During the public comment period of last night's city council meeting, Elsie Hollenbeck, a member of Concerned Citizens of Boundary County, stood and took her alloted time for public comment to make mention of the planned gathering, which is set to have speakers, musical performances, and a march across the Kootenai Bridge. The gathering was organized, she said, to show that "the resolution passed by the commissioners did not represent so many of us in the community," according to Ms. Hollenbeck. "They wanted the community to know that there are lots of people out there who did not agree with that resolution." Ms. Hollenbeck went on to state that her group has seen comments on social media sites where some have advocated finding ways to disrupt the planned gathering and march. "Everything from building a fort, to making snowballs to throw at us, to do things to disrupt us," she told the council. "So I wanted you to know that we are a peaceful group, that we just want to come together to hear these stories, to have this music, and to let the community know that there are those of us out there who don't agree with that resolution, that we are a welcoming community." Ms. Hollenbeck went on to add, "Many of us listened at the [county commissioner's meeting] to the people who were supporting the resolution, and we sat and listened to them respectfully. And we would expect the same from them, that if they want to come, they are welcome to come, but we do want them to act and to behave in a respectful manner and to listen to what is said." Bonners Ferry Police Chief Vic Watson, as he stood to give his report to the City Council, took some time to address the concerns expressed by Ms. Hollenbeck. "Regarding the event planned for this Saturday with the human rights group, I am up to date on security issues, I've been following the dialogue and the rhetoric, and we will do our utmost to ensure that it is a safe and secure event for all those involved."