Several rallies will be staged in eastern Idaho to protest the forthcoming military parade in Washington, D.C

Updated On:
Several rallies will be staged in eastern Idaho to protest the forthcoming military parade in Washington, D.C

POCATELLO – Several communities in eastern Idaho will join the rest of the country in protesting on the president’s birthday.

On Saturday, 14 different “No Kings” protests will take place across Idaho as part of a nationwide day of protest, which will coincide with a military parade in Washington, D.C. Three of these protests will take place in eastern Idaho: one in Pocatello, one in Idaho Falls, and one in Driggs.

“Protesting was at the foundation of our country when we were protesting against the king,” said Elmer Martinez, an organizer with Southeast Idaho Citizens for Democracy, which is coordinating Pocatello’s national day of protest events.

The military parade will cap off a week-long celebration of the United States Army’s 250th birthday on June 14, which also happens to be President Donald Trump’s birthday. The “No Kings Host Toolkit” states that the president’s goal in holding this parade is to “solidify his image as a strongman.”

“Instead of allowing this military parade to be the center of gravity, we will make action everywhere else the story of America that day: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption,” according to the tool kit.

Several protests have taken place in eastern Idaho on other national protest days this year. All three cities saw “Hands Off!” protests on April 5, as well as protests on International Workers Day, also known as May Day, on May 1.

According to a graphic distributed by Idaho 50501, a grassroots political movement that stands for “50 states, 50 protests, one day,” the first No Kings protest will begin at 10 a.m. at the intersection of East Little Avenue and North Main Street in Driggs.

The second will begin at 11:30 a.m. in Pocatello’s Caldwell Park. The Idaho Falls protest will take place at 4 p.m. on the Broadway Bridge.

A graphic showing the locations and times for every No Kings protest in Idaho. | Courtesy Idaho 50501

Pocatello’s protest will begin at the park before marching to the intersection of South 5th Avenue and East Center Street, directly outside the Bannock County Courthouse. Idaho Fall’s protest will take place on both sides of the Broadway Bridge.

While EastIdahoNews.com was unable to contact the organizers of the Driggs protest, both organizers in Pocatello and Idaho Falls stated that they would take precautions to protect protesters and would not participate in any potential violence.

“We will not engage with counter-protesters. They’ve been violent towards us, and we just want to make sure that everyone knows we’re not a part of the violence,” said Miranda Armenta, the local protest organizer in Idaho Falls who works with Idaho 50501. “If there is any destruction or fighting, we would all like to sit down. “Everyone sit down and record the altercation.”

“If we get people who want to engage, and yell at us and scream at us and try to create tension, I’m asking people to not buy into it, to not engage, to find positive ways to support the people that are standing next to them,” Martinez went on:

Martinez and Armenta both want the protests to be welcoming environments in which people can express themselves.

“We’ve always made the effort to welcome Republicans, Democrats, independents — anybody,” Martinez told reporters. “Even if they supported the current administration, but now they think that it’s gone way too far and extreme in different directions, they are more than welcome in our effort.”

“I’ve been going to rallies and protests since the 2016 administration, and I have found so many new friends, and it’s just a really big community building opportunity,” Armenta told the crowd. “I recommend you stop by. I’ll make sure you have someone to be with, and I’ll just make sure everyone is friendly, as they always are.”

Both organizers believe that everyone driving by should see a crowd of people protesting the Trump administration.

“You’re not alone,” Martinez said, addressing those who may agree with them but have not joined the protest. “There are other people who think the same way you do.

If they’re willing to put their face out there, make a sign, and stand up for their beliefs, it shows other people that it’s acceptable.”

When asked about those who support the Trump administration, Armenta says, “They’re not the majority that they think they are.”

“Most Americans do not want a king. So I just want to show them that we’re coming together, organizing, and working to create a better future for ourselves,” Armenta said.

SOURCE

Leave a Comment