SANDPOINT — From the entrance to town to Pine Street, more than 800 people packed First Avenue on Saturday as part of the community's “No Kings” rally.

One of several thousand rallies held across the United States, organizers said the No Kings rally was meant to send a clear message to current and future elected officials: Democracy matters, and Americans must stand up for their rights.

“People are here to support the Constitution and the rule of law,” said Rachel Castor, one of the Sandpoint rally’s organizers. “We’re all worried. People are worried that [President Donald] Trump is creating rights for himself that are above the law and above what the Constitution allows the president to have. The actions are concerning if we want to keep a democracy.”

Jean Gerth, a member of Sandpoint Indivisible — which helped organize the rally and a corresponding community forum — agreed. She noted that the diversity of attendees reflected the depth of concern over the current political climate and direction.

“Yes, there’s partisanship, and yes, we’re never going to agree on everything,” Gerth said. “I think most Idahoans are caring, compassionate people who want others to have things like health insurance and want middle-of-the-road policies.”

Organizers with Sandpoint Indivisible and 1 Million Rising Sandpoint emphasized that the rally was a nonpartisan, peaceful day of action that attracted people of all political beliefs and ages.

“The energy is so much bigger and more exciting than I could have predicted,” Castor said, looking toward First Avenue, which was packed several people deep on both sides of the entrance to Sandpoint. “It’s exhilarating to be a part of something like this. It gives me hope.”

In conjunction with the rally, organizers held a community forum at Sandpoint Community Hall, featuring booths on reproductive rights, voter registration, and food insecurity.

Despite concerns about how some might view their participation, Castor said it was important to take a stand and show support for the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The event attracted everyone from first-time voters to veterans to longtime residents, drawing honks of support — and the occasional middle finger — from passing motorists.

“It means there are a lot of people who love America and want to see our laws upheld — and they’re willing to speak out about it,” Castor said. “They’re not so scared that they’re not going to speak out when things start falling apart.”

While most of the reaction was positive, Gerth and Castor said they hope public officials and political representatives hear their concerns and understand the fears many have about the direction the country is taking.

“I believe we are in an autocracy now, and if we don’t act immediately and decisively, we are going to lose our democracy,” Gerth said.

Like Castor, Gerth said she can live with what a majority of the people want, but said recent actions by Trump — including a crackdown on immigration and the deployment of troops into U.S. cities — are troubling. At the state level, she expressed concern about what she described as the Idaho Legislature’s continued efforts to erode the state’s initiative process, which was used to successfully expand Idaho’s Medicaid program.

Both Castor and Gerth said they appreciate all viewpoints and encouraged residents to stay informed and educate themselves about the issues. They emphasized the importance of talking — and listening — to one another.

“Don’t be afraid to talk to people,” Gerth said. “Because if you don’t come on angry or strong, and you ask people for their opinion and listen to them, you’ll form a bond and realize we have far more in common than we don’t.”

Castor also highlighted the diversity of those attending the rally, saying it attracted people from across the political spectrum — all Americans who love their country.

“They’re not all Democrats. They don’t call themselves feminists. They don’t call themselves leftists or liberals,” she said. “They’re here because they see their liberties and their rights being eroded, and they’re willing to take a stand — even if that’s outside their political party, their religion, or what the pundits on TV are saying.”

They are grandparents. They are teens. They are veterans.

“These are just regular people who are worried that their rights are being taken away, and I think they have a right to be concerned,” Castor said.

She pointed to the military being sent into U.S. cities to confront fellow Americans based on political whims.

“I think if we don’t grab onto our rights now, we’re going to lose them,” Castor said. “We’re on the cusp of losing them — of losing our right to free speech.”

    A bicyclist rides down First Avenue holding a sign during Saturday's No Kings rally in Sandpoint.
  

    A few of the estimated 800 people pack the sidewalk in front of the Sandpoint Community Hall during Saturday's No Kings rally.