To the men and women who are gathered on Sherman Avenue each night, heavily armed or carrying baseball bats and bows and arrows, did you ever stop to ask the businesses you’re “protecting” if they actually want or need your protection? I work in downtown Coeur d’Alene and based on what I’ve heard from downtown business owners, nobody ever asked you to “protect” their business.

I realize that you think you’re doing the city a favor, but did you ever stop to think about how your presence is harming our downtown businesses? In case you haven’t noticed, many of them have had to close one or more nights because either their employees or customers, or both, were too scared to remain downtown. Several others have boarded up their stores completely.

Our local businesses have already suffered tremendously due to closing or operating at reduced capacity for the past several months. Now they’re being forced to close their doors once again. This isn’t just affecting the business owners; it’s affecting their employees as well. Every time they close their doors or board up their windows, that’s money taken out of their pockets.

In case you haven’t heard, the rumors about truckloads of Antifa headed our way are NOT TRUE. Our downtown businesses do not need your protection; we have well-trained Police and Sheriff’s deputies who have and will continue to protect our beautiful city. Please go home and leave the protecting to the trained professionals.

LAURA TENNESON

Hayden