Five people were arrested and one injured in a pedestrian-vehicle accident during the “No Kings” protest in downtown Kalispell on Saturday, June 14.

The demonstration was one of nearly 2,000 held across the country and two dozen in Montana in opposition to President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies. The Kalispell protest was organized by Flathead Democracy and 50501. Over 2,000 people attended the event, according to Leanette Galaz, an organizer with Flathead Democracy.  

One demonstrator walking on a crosswalk suffered a concussion and a broken tail bone after being struck by a slow-moving car turning right on U.S. 93 by Depot Park, according to Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio.  

While the cause of the accident is still under investigation, Venezio said that the collision did not appear intentional. No one has been charged. 

“We have no information that it was an intentional act or aggressive driving behavior,” Venezio said.  

It will take the Kalispell Police Department throughout the week to comb through video evidence, he said. 

The collision happened while a large group of protesters were walking along a crosswalk on Main Street to make their way toward Depot Park. 

While protestor Bobby Oshaben did not see the accident, he said he was crossing the road at the time and observed the vehicle inching forward in an attempt to make its way through the crowd.  

“I looked behind me and see the older lady lying on her back on the ground, and she was saying she hit her head and was in pain,” he said. “And the gentleman in the car was just sitting in his seat with a blank expression on his face.”  

Oshaben ran over to support the pedestrian’s head before law enforcement was beckoned over and first responders arrived at the scene, he said.  

Shutting down Main Street to vehicles during the protest would have been impractical, according to Venezio. “We can’t really close down [U.S] 93, it’s just too busy.  If that were to be the case, the permit probably wouldn’t have been approved for that,” he said.  

“We do the best we can with the information we have to control certain things. But at the end of the day, there’s only so many police officers. There’s only so many resources we have,” he said.  

Law enforcement was in active communication with event organizers, but Galaz said that if police were present to direct cars amidst heavy foot traffic, the pedestrian accident could have been avoided.  

“They could have helped with helping pedestrians cross safely,” Galaz said. “Why not participate in helping us, instead of just watching and waiting for something bad to happen?” 

Four officers were stationed at the event, Venezio said. Keeping a low profile was the goal.  

“That’s something we had to navigate and find the balance of having a police presence but also not having an overbearing presence where people don’t feel comfortable to express their rights to free speech,” he said. 

THE PERMIT allowed for the protest to start at 2:30 p.m., but Venezio said some arrived as early as 10 a.m.  

Five people, both protesters and counter protesters, were arrested throughout the day. All were charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and booked into the Flathead County Detention Center, according to Venezio.  

Law enforcement also pulled over and ticketed drivers for spewing exhaust – known as coal rolling – over protesters.  

Despite the arrests and pedestrian incident, Venezio said the vast majority of the demonstration was peaceful.  

“Overall, I would say, with the amount of people that were there, from the protest to the counter protests ... Everything went pretty smooth,” he said.  

City Councilors during a Monday night meeting rebuked those who participated in aggressive behavior.  

“If you have that kind of animosity toward your fellow community members, you’re wasting your life,” said Councilor Sid Daoud. “You’re not going to be on your death bed going, ‘Well I’m really glad I blew smoke in the face of those protesters.’” 

Daoud and Mayor Mark Johnson urged people to participate in civil conversation.  

“Like my mom told me over and over again, you catch more flies with honey, not vinegar,” Daoud said.  

Reporter Jack Underhill may be reached at 758-4407 or [email protected].

SEE MORE PHOTOS: 'No Kings' protest in Depot Park in Kalispell

    People gather at Depot Park in Kalispell for a "No Kings" rally protesting the Trump administration on Saturday, June 14. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider