Mayor: Protest OK if laws are obeyed

Plans are underway by local activists to hold at least two protests this week in Coeur d’Alene denouncing police brutality.

Mayor Steve Widmyer said Monday the city is preparing.

One protest is scheduled to be Thursday on the corner of U.S. 95 and Appleway. It would join protests across the country in response to the May 25 death in Minneapolis of George Floyd.

“Honestly, I just saw what happened after George Floyd died,” Coeur d’Alene resident and organizer Laurali Strong said. “I saw people posting on Instagram, and yeah, it’s spreading the message, but we need to get out there and take action. We need to get involved in a way that takes time. I want it to be more meaningful than something you just post in a few seconds and forget about.”

Strong said the video of Floyd’s death will resonate with her forever.

“It makes me feel so emotional just thinking about it,” she said. “We need to be the generation of change. We can’t stay silent, because silence is betrayal.”

News of local protests came after violence erupted Sunday night in Spokane following a peaceful display of more than 1,000 protesters.

In Spokane, rioting began in the downtown area moments after the protest ended. Businesses were vandalized, and rioters tried to target a Wells Fargo bank branch.

“The message I want to pass on to everyone is that I don’t want rioting or violence,” Strong said. “I want unity and peace. I think we should stand up and spread awareness, but I don’t think that message should include violence.”

An organizer of another protest reported she is working with the city to navigate the permit process and comply with the law before scheduling her event. As of press time, no time, date or location has been scheduled for that protest.

Widmyer said he, too, was shocked by Floyd’s death. He understands the need for locals to voice their concerns.

“The George Floyd death is a great tragedy for the Floyd family and for all Americans,” Widmyer said. “It’s time to stop simply talking about being better with race relations. It’s time to act and develop a plan to be better.

“We don’t have that plan right now. But I’m willing to be a part of the planning effort by getting together with the members of our community who are living in fear — along with local, state and federal leaders — to develop reforms in our system.”

Widmyer added, however, that rioting and violence seen during protests in metropolitan areas will not be tolerated.

“We respect everyone’s right to peaceably protest,” he said. “...Our police will monitor the situation to insure the safety of the protesters and the safety of all our citizens. Unlawful behavior will not be accepted and will be dealt with accordingly.”