As noted, the rally also attracted indivduals in opposition to the purpose of the gathering, which means they supported the Commissioner's resolution.
Several Bonners Ferry Police officers, and Bonners Ferry Police Chief Vic Watson were also on duty at the meeting.
Several speakers addressed the assembled crowd from a microphone set up on the gazebo at Georgia Mae Plaza in downtown Bonners Ferry. Some shared accounts of discrimination and prejudice, some expressed opinions about the resolution, and some spoke on how the issue has proven to be divisive in the community.
"I'm not against proper security or vetting, I'm not even against not using county funds to support refugees, just using federal funds," said Brent Dehlbom, the first speaker at the rally. "Those are really the only two things that this resolution that we're talking about has to say. When you get right down to it, I kind of don't disagree with either side on some of the issues. I'm not against many of these things, but the way that we've been treating each other in this community for simply speaking our opinions is downright wrong. All of us should be a little bit ashamed of ourselves."
Former Bonners Ferry Mayor David Anderson, who also addressed the group, referred to the principle of religious freedom and its importance in our country's history: "This country has spent 250 years fighting racial and gender discrimination. But the seeds that were planted here that grew this great nation, were religious tolerance. That's why we came here. Our forefathers came here seeking it, the First Amendment totally states it , and the fight will go on and on to preserve it," said Mayor Anderson.
Bonners Ferry High School teacher Linda Hall, who identified herself as a Japanese American, recounted a story of how her family experienced a great deal of prejudice as she was growing up, including how her family was evicted from the ranch they owned in Wyoming shortly after the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack.
Several other speakers, as noted, shared their perspectives and opinions on the issue. Several of those who were present in opposition to the rally carried signs, some of which stated:
"They Do Not Want to Coexist"
"Islam Hates the United States"
"Resistance is Fu-Tile, You Will Be Assimilated"
"Level 1: Recruit, Level 2: Infiltrate & Corrupt, Level 3: Kill the Infidel"
"Refugees Are a Trojan Horse"
"ISIS Will Be Among Them"
"Vett 'Em or Forget 'Em"
In spite of some concerns expressed in recent days that attempts might be made to physically disrupt the meeting, no such activity occurred. At several points during the speeches, the opposition group shouted out comments that were generally against refugee resettlement, but for the most part, speakers were allowed to make their comments without significant interruption.
Following the approximately 45 minute gathering, organizers led a march across the Kootenai River Bridge, and back again into the downtown area.
Following are several short audio clips recorded at the meeting. You can hear these short clips by clicking on one of the audio icons, either MP3 format or WAV format, as listed below.
