EXTREMISTS: Leaders, step up now

This is an open letter to our public officials. Coeur d’Alene Mayor Widmyer, Coeur d’Alene City Council, Kootenai County Commissioners, Kootenai County Sheriff Ben Wolfinger, Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Lee White:

Our community is under siege by groups of right wing extremists. These people do not represent the majority of North Idaho residents. They are operating under the guise of “protecting us” and of defending people’s rights. They are using the excuse of the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter demonstrations to be able to gather, rally and march in our streets without impunity and consideration for the health and safety of the general public.

These are bullies and antagonists who are driving our best and brightest away from our community with threats of death and intimidation. They are dangerously pushing and challenging public authority. Is this the kind of community that you want?

Many of us are outraged by this behavior. Is it acceptable to you? They claim to be “patriots.” Patriots do not parade with guns, intimidate and threaten others. Patriots do not protest and fight actions that would help and actually protect others.

As leaders in our community, you must realize that what they are doing is harmful to us all. Please do something to make our community safer and more secure. This has nothing to do with Second Amendment Rights. I support those rights as do many of the people I know. With “rights” come responsibilities.

ALICE ARAMBARRI

Coeur d’Alene