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