OPINION: Abusive power

Saturday started with high hopes. More than 400 people filled the Coeur d’Alene High School auditorium, optimistic about the opportunity for a town hall-style back and forth with their elected representatives. 

In his invocation, Rev. John Padula implored that we “connect with each other in a meaningful way.”

Democrats and Republicans applauded his hopeful sentiment. Dialogue is, after all, the purpose of a town hall.

But it all went downhill from there. 

With every bout of raucous applause for scripted MAGA talking points, it became clear: This was never a town hall designed to connect with each other in a meaningful way. This was a pep rally in a Conservative echo chamber. 

The lawmakers who represent North Idahoans in Boise weren’t going to address complex questions about the things that mattered most to the majority of Idahoans: school funding and Medicaid. 

When dissenting voices entered this Far-Right echo chamber, Sheriff Norris directed private out-of-state security to physically haul people away. The event MC, Ed Bejarana stirred up the crowd by hurling vulgar, insulting and provocative comments instead of trying to calm things down.

Instead of respecting a constitutional right, the KCRCC said, “not in my house” and became physically violent. Trying to zip tie a woman’s hands and forcefully ejecting her from a legislative town hall is about as un-American as it gets. 

The Extreme Right’s heavy-handed approach to peaceful dissent is unacceptable in a nation where free speech and assembly are enshrined parts of who we are.

The GOP and the sheriff are now scrambling to avoid responsibility for this assault. 

You are going to hear a dizzying amount of spin from the KCRCC in the next few weeks. That’s OK. Between 400 eyewitnesses, numerous cellphone videos, and an avalanche of impending lawsuits — the truth will come out. We are also confident that justice will prevail for Teresa. Attorneys from coast to coast are lining up to take this case. The KCRCC and the sheriff will have their hands full defending themselves.

Now we are left reflecting on this incident and wondering what’s next. People in Kootenai County deserve to feel safe in public political spaces. We must live in a place where Constitutional rights still matter. 

How could we have prevented this, and how can we promote connecting with legislators in a meaningful way moving forward?

We know it is possible to have different opinions co-exist at political events. The first step is simply acknowledging that someone thinks differently than you, and that they are allowed to do so. This really isn’t that hard. 

We promote meaningful conversation by agreeing to listen. If it’s a political rally, call your event a political rally. But if it’s a public town hall, agree to make the bulk of the event centered on listening to constituents. 

Nobody has to shout if they already know that they are being heard. 

Kootenai County is home to Democrats, Republicans and Independents. There are a lot of people here who don’t fall in lockstep with the KCRCC. Once elected, our legislators MUST represent all of us. We need to learn how to be in the same spaces as people who disagree with us. 

Keep engaging peacefully. Make signs, call your representatives. Peacefully participate in town halls until they know just how many of us there truly are who disagree. Too many have hidden in the political shadows for too long, fearful that their moderate learnings would make them a pariah. If something like this doesn't wake you up to the dangers of collective silence, I don’t know what will. 

It’s past time for the Far Right to figure out how to create a More Perfect Union for all of North Idaho — not just the KCRCC faithful.

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Evan Koch is chairman of the Kootenai County Democrats.