Hundreds join 'Hands Off' protest in Coeur d'Alene

HAILEY HILL | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 months, 1 week AGO

A protester holds a colorful sign during Saturday's "Hands Off" rally in Coeur d'Alene.
KAYE THORNBRUGH/Press

Several hundred people, many with signs, lined U.S. 95 in Coeur d'Alene on Saturday as part of a nationwide protest against the Trump administration.

Hundreds of people gathered along U.S. 95 in Coeur d'Alene to protest the Trump administration.

Demonstrators waved at passing motorists during the 'Hands Off' rally Saturday.

Duane Nansel, a veteran, holds a sign during Saturday's protest in Coeur d'Alene.

A woman holds up Canadian, American and Mexican flags as a motorist drives by flying “Trump 2024” and Confederate flags during a protest along U.S. 95 in Coeur d’Alene on Saturday. Flying an American flag upside down, as in the photo, is a symbol of distress.

Protestors are enveloped in smoke as motorists emitted clouds of exhaust in an apparent counter-protest on Saturday.

Several hundred people, many with signs, lined U.S. 95 in Coeur d'Alene on Saturday as part of a nationwide protest against the Trump administration.

COEUR d’ALENE — Much like the several hundred other protestors that lined U.S. 95 near Appleway Avenue on Saturday, Duane Nansel had several concerns over recent cuts to federal programs.

Nansel, a veteran, said the Trump administration’s cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the uncertainty surrounding the future of Social Security worry him — enough so that he joined Saturday’s protest, which was part of the national "Hands Off!" movement that took place across the country.

“We’ve got to do something,” Nansel said.

Nansel had decorated his wheelchair with American flags and held a sign that said, “this veteran supports the Constitution, due process, civil rights, (and) human rights.”

Eighty-eight-year-old June Paxton donned an American flag sweater as she stood among the other protestors.

“I have been protesting for women’s rights my entire life,” Paxton said. “I’m happy to be here.”

"Hands Off!" protests were attended by hundreds of thousands of people nationwide Saturday.

In an apparent counter-protest, at least a dozen large trucks and other vehicles repeatedly drove in front of the protestors while flying pro-Trump and Confederate flags.

Some motorists also emitted clouds of exhaust as they passed the protestors.

Coeur d’Alene Police Captain Dave Hagar said police officers on site addressed the behavior and issued several tickets to drivers.

"Our main priority is safety and alleviating tensions," Hagar said.

Longtime Coeur d’Alene resident Diana Klybert said Saturday’s protest was bigger than any local movement she had seen in recent years.

“A lot of people didn’t expect this turnout, but this is an opportunity for us to be a part of something as big as this country,” Klybert said. “I actually expected this.”

“Today is really about defending democracy,” said Ethel Steinmetz-Marmont, one of the protest organizers. “We don’t believe in kings.”

• • •

Kaye Thornbrugh contributed to this article.