New York businessman Donald Trump was elected to be the 45th president of the United States Tuesday night, and not everyone on the Palouse was happy about it.
Within hours, protests broke out across the nation against the president-elect and his policies. Saturday, residents of Moscow and Pullman joined together and raised their voices in Friendship Square for the protest rally, “Idaho Against Hate.”
The protest was organized by University of Idaho students in both the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) and Young Democrats. Within minutes, hundreds of students and locals arrived downtown.
“People are really scared and upset right now,” said Tasia North, one of the organizers of the protest at a preparation meeting. “There is value in solidarity, and we need to show that to the people.”
Diamond Koloski | Argonaut
Community members, university students from WSU and UI, as well as families gathered in Friendship Square in Moscow Nov. 12 for the “Idaho Against Hate” rally.
The organizers wanted the protest to be peaceful above all else, focusing on solidarity and allowing it be a place for the discussion of ideas, not people, said Keegan Kylstra, another organizer. The protestors wanted to make sure their rights are enforced through legal policies.
At the rally, people shared stories of things that have happened to them and their loved ones that made them scared. One woman talked about her daughter, and another brought up the multi-cultural children they work with.
Protestors often held hands and gave hugs to those who were emotional. Various chants broke out within the initial minutes, with locals shouting, “Build bridges, not walls,” and “Idaho thinks Trump should go.”
One protestor was angry at Trump and cursed at the president-elect. In response, the crowd chanted back, “Love trumps hate.” However, the protests remained non-violent, and a Moscow police officer said the locals were well-behaved.
Few counter protestors came out against the rally, and none of them stayed long or became violent.
“We will repeatedly tell people ‘Do not engage counter protesters,’” Kylstra said.
The protest wasn’t supposed to be about specific individuals but about supporting others, North said.
More than 200 people stood together in Friendship Square at one time. Many people who had no idea what was going on started participating as well, cheering for those who stood up to tell their stories.
People were talking to strangers, sharing anecdotes and motivating each other. Many of those who shared personal information with the crowd got emotional, some even began to cry. One couple came forward to lead the protestors in the song, “We Shall Overcome.” Protestor Silas Merrick said she was encouraged by the turnout and felt proud and loved by the community she lived in after she heard what others had to say.
“I think it’s important, that people feel safe, that they feel OK in their community and we just want to let them know that we’re here,” said Bailey Ellis, president of the Young Democrats.
Mary Emert can be reached at [email protected]