COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — A recent legislative town hall organized by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) descended quickly from orderly proceedings to chaos during which Teresa Borrenpohl, a known local activist, was forcibly removed by unidentified security personnel. The incident, which raised significant questions about civil liberties and free speech, has ignited outrage and concern among attendees and observers alike.
On Saturday, tensions boiled over at Coeur d’Alene High School during the meeting, which was aimed at discussing various legislative matters including the potential repeal of Medicaid expansion. Borrenpohl, who had run for Idaho’s House of Representatives as a Democrat and frequently criticized local Republican leadership, expressed her dissent vocally. According to reports from the Coeur d’Alene/Post Falls Press, she was initially encouraged by the mixed reactions of the audience but escalated her comments after specific remarks from Rep. Ron Mendive, R-Coeur d’Alene, about public lands. "Phil Hart stole timber from public land!" she shouted, prompting the response of law enforcement and security.
Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris was seen on video urging Borrenpohl to leave the venue. The sheriff reportedly declared, "Get up or be arrested," and shortly thereafter, mayhem ensued as security personnel from LEAR Asset Management, hired by the event organizers, intervened to drag her from her seat. Witness Mary Rosdahl described the scene as "violent and traumatic," stating Borrenpohl was wrestled, pushed, and laid face down on the floor before being forcibly removed.
The clearing of Borrenpohl sparked backlash from bystanders, many of whom left the event expressing their discontent at the treatment of the speaker. Ed Bejarana, the event's emcee, attempted to maintain control, admonishing Borrenpohl "Look at this little girl over here, everyone," which elicited boos from attendees supportive of her position. During the upheaval, Borrenpohl yelled, "Women deserve a voice," as security officers continued their actions.
With numerous videos of the occurrence circulating on social media, it has become evident there are conflicting narratives surrounding what transpired. Sheriff Norris claimed it was necessary to maintain order and accused Borrenpohl of disrupting the meeting, stating the security response was warranted due to the disturbance she was causing. Consequently, Borrenpohl faced backlash and threats, leading her to question the fairness of coverage surrounding her removal.
Citing First Amendment rights, Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Lee White commented on the incident, transitioning the emphasis to the fundamental rights of citizens attending public forums. “We have to respect everybody’s First Amendment rights,” he said. “There’s very little we can do with regard to First Amendment protections.” White emphasized the importance of ensuring all voices are heard, contrasting with the apparent disregard for Borrenpohl's dissent as described by other attendees.
The fallout from this incident has reached beyond the individual experience of Borrenpohl. Following the uproar, the Coeur d'Alene Police Department confirmed they are conducting an investigation to assess the actions of both law enforcement and the security team. Notably, LEAR Asset Management had its license revoked for violating city laws requiring security personnel to wear clearly marked uniforms. The company’s owner, Paul Trouette, declined to provide comments to media inquiries following the incident.
Statements from the Idaho Democratic Party and KCRCC have echoed differing interpretations of the events. The Idaho Democratic Party Chair, Lauren Necochea, criticized the circumstances leading to Borrenpohl’s removal, framing the incident as indicative of broader issues concerning the stifling of free speech and political dissent. "If we can’t question leaders elected to represent us without fear of reprisal, we are not free," Necochea stated, advocating for more inclusive dialogues at political gatherings.
Legal repercussions for Borrenpohl also loomed large. Initially, she received a citation for misdemeanor battery following allegations she bit one of the private security officers during her removal. Coeur d’Alene police later announced they would dismiss this citation based on the review of newly emerged video evidence depicting the incident.
Many voices within the community remain rallying against what they view as unlawful tactics used to control public dissent and dictate the tone of political discourse. Borrenpohl’s friend, Laura Tenneson, expressed deep concern, noting how chaotic messages during town hall events have previously silenced voices and stifled important discussions about community governance.
With this incident serving as recent fodder for discussions about civil rights and public discourse, the aftermath sheds light on the responsibility of community leaders to uphold democratic values. It raises pertinent questions about how the rights afforded to citizens are respected—or violated—in politically charged environments and public forums.
Borrenpohl herself indicated the significant impact this encounter had on her, stating, "I could have never imagined my right to free speech and my right to assemble could be stripped in such a violent way," referencing her future intentions to advocate for individuals who face similar disruptions of their civil liberties.
The Coeur d’Alene town hall incident is expected to resonate throughout the Kootenai County region and beyond, challenging local leaders and citizens to navigate the delicate balance between order and freedom of expression, and shining light on the necessity for accountability when handling public dissent.