Idaho 'Patriot' group to go 'head-to-head' against Coeur d'Alene Pride

Saying, “If they want to have a war, let it begin here,” a Coeur d’Alene, Idaho “patriot” group promises to “go head-tohead” against Pride in the Park, claiming, “They are trying to take your children.”

Ultra-conservative Idaho State Rep. Heather Scott, R-Bonner County, held a forum on Thursday titled “Gameplan to Remove Inappropriate Materials from Our Schools and Libraries” at the Regeneration Calvary Chapel, saying, “There’s a war going on, and the scariest thing about this war is that these tactics that are being waged against society, most people are just unaware it is even happening. It’s good versus evil … I’m not sure how this battle’s gonna end, but I always go back to is ‘all evil needs is for good men to do nothing.’”

Scott then introduced representatives of Panhandle Patriots Riding Club to the stage. They wore their club’s patches with a graphic of skulls using stripes and stars of the U.S. flag and an assault weapon in the front.

“In Coeur d’Alene, on the 10th of June, there is Family Day, where they are promoting family values, activities, and everything. The very following day, they are having Gay Pride Day,” a representative with the name patch “DeadDog” said as a murmur went through the church. “In the very same park, the very next day. And they will be allowed to parade through all of Coeur d’Alene, drag queen dancers, education hour, making all this material available for all the kids, in a park that is designed for kids.

“We are having an event the very same day,” he announced. “That very same day, we intend to go head-to-head with these people. The line must be drawn in the sand. Good people need to stand up. [Scott] was talking earlier about repercussions. We say, ‘Damn the repercussions,’ Stand up, take it to the head. Go to the fight. “

“Our event is called Gun d’Alene because it is the anniversary we stood to protect our community. We are standing again to protect our community. We shifted our date to be available to go headto-head with these people,” he said. “They are trying to take your children.”

Flyers for their event show the theme as “Gun d’Alene: Protect our Children” and encourage the carrying of firearms and say “If they want to have a war, let it begin here.” According to the flyers, the group will march through downtown Coeur d’Alene and rally in a different park.

Coeur d’Alene City Clerk Renata McLeod told the Coeur d’Alene Press in an email, “I have not received any special event/street closure, nor parade request for that day yet.”

City of Coeur d’Alene city code says “parades, public assembly, block watches and street are required for any event requiring street blockages, or activity occurring whereby traffic/pedestrian travel will be impeded. A 21-day advance application is needed for parades.”

Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Lee White would not comment to the press about the department’s plans to handle the two groups.

“To ensure operational security, CDA PD will not be providing comment on our planning or response to the events scheduled on June 11th,” he told The Press.

According to city code, “It shall be unlawful for any person to have in his possession or to have in any vehicle any weapon while participating in or attending a parade or public assembly.”

PRIDE WILL GO ON

Pride in the Park organizers say they won’t be “intimidated or deterred” from gathering with their community.

The annual event is organized by North Idaho Pride Alliance as part of CDA4Pride, a month-long celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. It is a free, family-friendly event this year scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 11 at the Coeur d’Alene City Park and bandshell.

North Idaho Pride Alliance Board President Sam Koester said in a news release that CDA4Pride is about bringing people together for inclusive, fun and educational events during the month of June.

“Our leadership strongly encourages the public NOT to engage with protestors they may encounter outside events or online. We ask that supportive community members and partners focus on promoting events with positivity for a successful Pride Month celebration.

“Our highest priority is to have a fun and safe event. We have confidence that strong early interventions and keeping law enforcement aware will ensure a successful Pride month and safety for all who choose to participate.”

WAR OF PERVERSION

Scott kicked off the meeting by comparing the issue of LGBTQ materials in schools and public libraries to 9-11.

“There’s another tragedy I want to talk about tonight,” she said. “it is a war of perversion on our children. It is an orchestrated attack on their minds and their souls.”

“Does anyone else remember when local school boards across the country began promoting having the girls use the boys’ bathrooms and the boys using the girls’ bathrooms and showers? Do you know when ‘Drag Queen Hour’ started and the drag queens were reading to little children? When did school counselors start counseling children to change their sex and then hide it from the parents? I went to Taco Bell the other day, and this boy had the longest fingernails I ever seen, and they were painted, lipstick … when did this happen?” she asked. “And when did we allow a law in this state to say that it was okay for libraries across Idaho to promote pornography?”

“I know what’s comin’. When you see the GLBTQ — plus — you know there’s more comin’,” she said. “You know what Satan wants for the kids, and it’s not good.”

The forum was recorded live but was edited Monday at noon, removing the segment where the Panhandle Patriots RC spoke. A short segment is available on TikTok from a user named Lindsay, username SocialistlyAwkward.