Sunday op-ed: Rainbow Squad, you're not in this alone

By KOOTENAI COUNTY TASK FORCE on HUMAN RELATIONS

The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations is deeply concerned and troubled learning of the vocal protest directed at teens and their parents at the Post Falls Library. Rainbow Squad members and their parents were simply attempting to enter the library for their monthly meeting to participate in various crafts, activities and games.

The vocal actions and signs by the adult protesters toward the teens and their parents were clearly intimidating and caused trauma in some of the young people. It is sad and of great concern when we reach the point in our society that some individuals feel unsafe and are targets of intolerant adults. That can lead to lifelong harm to the victim’s self-esteem and wellbeing.

It is very disturbing when a group attempts to violate the rights of their fellow citizens, especially young people. The fact that the protesters have constitutional protections and guarantees of free speech and peaceful assembly does not detract from the negative impact those actions have on the youth.

As some of the protesters held religious signs to support their cause, may we remind the protesters of two verses in the Christian Faith admonishing us how to treat our fellow human beings:

Matthew 7:12 (English Standard Version of the Bible)

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the law and the prophets.”

Matthew 12:31 (English Standard Version of the Bible)

“The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

On Thursday, Dec. 2, the KCTFHR Board of Directors appropriated $500 to the Community Library Network to cover the purchase of refreshments for Rainbow Squad monthly meetings for all of 2022.

The KCTFHR Board also released this statement: “We stand firmly behind our theme: That All Human Beings Have Rights. And we oppose discrimination or harassment of any of our fellow human beings.”