NIR CONFERENCE: No one was threatened

On April 20, 2023, the North Idaho Republicans called a news conference in Coeur d’Alene to announce the establishment of their new organization. The group was formed in response to a growing frustration of area Republicans. Specifically, the group was formed to counter the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) whom the North Idaho Republicans claimed had been hijacked by Libertarians, Constitutionalists, John Birchers, Redoubters and other extremists.

During the press conference, a man with a large sign containing the words “Fake Republicans” jumped in front of the presenters blocking the speakers from the assembled media and completely disrupted the meeting. Toward the end of the news conference, several other people in the crowd that had come to disrupt the event jeered and further caused chaos at the meeting. Now, no one in our area law enforcement community demanded that those that disrupted the conference be arrested for trespassing. No one physically grabbed the protestors threatening to pepper spray them. No one summoned goons to have the protestors removed.

However, on Feb. 25, in Coeur d’Alene at an event open to the public and sponsored by the KCRCC, several people voiced their frustration for not being able to express their opinions to assembled Idaho state lawmakers. One of those persons was singled out by our sheriff, Bob Norris. Norris threatened to arrest the individual. He threatened to pepper spray her and attempted to physically remove her. Then, Norris summoned individuals employed by a shady security company reportedly hired by the KCRCC to remove the woman. During the process of removing the woman, she was partially disrobed and injured. Apparently, whether or not our KCRCC-aligned constitutional sheriff will take enforcement action depends on whose meeting is being disrupted. This should concern all of us.

JIM BURKHARDT

Post Falls