Kudos to the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Prosecutor and city leadership for upholding their constitutional responsibilities

Recent events in our state highlight the need for Idahoans to firmly reject political violence while protecting free speech.  

In Coeur d’ Alene, local police were on hand at a public legislative forum to protect a legislator who was receiving violent threats.  At the same event, however, a local resident was unlawfully detained by unidentified security personnel for exercising her free speech at a public forum. Coeur d’Alene police have since revoked the license of the unmarked security firm and affirmed the right to free speech

In a democratic society, free speech is a fundamental right that allows individuals to express their ideas, advocate for change, and challenge those in power. To preserve our constitutional freedoms, we must reject violence while ensuring that free speech remains protected.

Our First Amendment right protects free speech in public spaces. The CDA prosecutor rightfully recognized that this was a public event in a public high school gymnasium.

A strong society can and must reject political violence while upholding the right to free expression. This requires principled leadership, fair law enforcement, and a commitment to the values that make democratic governance possible. Kudos to the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Prosecutor and city leadership for upholding their constitutional responsibilities..