Democrats condemn Liberate America as ‘undemocratic and damaging’

The Kootenai County Democrats have condemned Saturday’s Liberate America, saying in a statement it poses a danger to the community while marking the moment as a call to action in opposition to the right-wing event.

“As protests and unrest have occurred across the world, we have seen anti-democratic groups attempt to steal the spotlight and take advantage of the opportunity to spread their message and expand their base,” the Thursday statement reads. “The upcoming event on June 13th features some of the most notorious extremists across the region, including those known for violence and domestic terrorism.”

Liberate America, sponsored by the watchdog media channel North Idaho Exposed, is a daylong free event at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds that brings together conservative speakers — some of whom have made national headlines — to engage Saturday’s audiences along with musical acts, food, activities and an auction.

Speakers include Idaho Rep. Heather Scott, who actively promoted Idahoans to resist Gov. Brad Little’s stay-home order while calling the mandate unconstitutional, and Ammon Bundy, who led an armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon in 2016.

Casey Whalen, the North Idaho Exposed activist who organized Liberate America, said the opposition that Kootenai County Democrats express toward the event falls under the same freedom Liberate America attendees will enjoy.

“Personally I support the Kootenai County Democrats right to free speech and hope they will support our right in the exercise thereof,” Whalen said. “I hold out a heartfelt invitation to any in our community and nation to join us on celebrating in the preservation of liberty this Saturday at Liberate America.”

The statement argued that the events of the past few weeks — the killing of George Floyd and the subsequent protests across the country — should inspire a more inclusive response from county residents, rather than an armed militia in the streets of downtown Coeur d’Alene and an anti-government message at the fairgrounds on Saturday.

“As Kootenai County Democrats, we value equal treatment, justice and inclusive democracy,” the statement reads.