'Protect our America'

COEUR d’ALENE — Cindy Abbott was beaming with pride as she held the American flag flapping through the sunroof of the SUV she was riding in Saturday.

Her shirt was also in the design of Old Glory and the driver next to her wore a hat that read, “Trump 2020.”

As their vehicle slowed to a stop on Sherman Avenue, and with her dog “Mr. Benji” in her lap, Abbott was more than happy to be part of the vehicle parade to show support for the president 10 days before the Nov. 3 election.

“I love President Trump,” she said, smiling. "He is the best thing to happen to America. We need to be patriotic in this country.”


Sandy and Chuck Carter, in a following vehicle, said they supported Trump “for freedom all the way. Freedom,” Sandy repeated.

When asked to give a few more reasons why they want the president to serve four more years, Sandy Carter said, “His policies. All his policies. We’re going on the gold standard, not many people know that,” she yelled as they sped up to keep traffic flowing.

Hundreds of trucks, SUVs and cars rallied for Trump at Cabela’s Saturday morning, then drove early afternoon to downtown Coeur d’Alene via Seltice Way and Northwest Boulevard.

On a cold but sunny day, with snow and ice still on streets and sidewalks from Friday's snowstorm, Trump banners, pictures and American flags were displayed as drivers and passengers waved and shouted. Lt Gov. Janice McGeachin was among the participants. One boy tossed candy to spectators. One woman stood up through a sunroof as the SUV rolled up Sherman and said, “Four more years.”

Several people watching took pictures and waved back. One man standing on Sherman Avenue shouted, “Vote for Biden.”

Two passersby watched and discussed what was going on.

“How often do they do this?” one asked

“I think every Saturday,” the other said.

Another man, Larry Miller, said he was a tourist.

“I heard this was Trump country,” he said. “I guess it is.”

John Huizinga, holding a firearm in one arm and wearing a Trump hat, directed traffic through the flashing red lights at Fourth and Sherman.

When asked why he was part of the event, he offered one word: “Freedom.”

He said he had heard through social media that other groups were planning to disrupt the parade, so he decided to be sure that didn’t happen.

He was pleased the parade passed peacefully through without incident, “which is what we want. No trouble, right?”

Huizinga said he supports the president because “He’s an outsider and he did what he said he was going to do, as much as he could get done, considering he was fighting the world.”

A few armed men walked up and down Sherman Avenue before the parade, also saying they heard there might be trouble and wanted to prevent it.

“If anybody decides to get goofy, we’ll be on the front line handling that,” said one man who declined to give his name. “This is my home. Why would I want to see somebody tear it up?”

He said they were not there to start anything and wanted to show their support for the president.

“I appreciate the fact he is restoring our country,” the man said. “I appreciate he is a man of his word and he doesn’t back down from any fight. I really appreciate the fact he is trying to protect our country.”

A woman with the armed men said her name was Bonnie and she lived in Coeur d’Alene.

“We’re making sure our town stays safe,” she said.

“We’re not here to mess anybody up, but if that’s what it comes to, that’s what we’re doing.”

Bonnie smiled when asked why she liked the president.

“What don’t I like about him?” she said. “He knows how to talk. Did you watch the debates? He’s doing what he said he would do. I hope he sticks around. I hope he wins this election because we need him.”

A woman who gave her name as “Butterfly” from Spokane carried a flag on the parade route and considered Coeur d’Alene her town, as well. She said she was “pro-life, pro-liberty and pro-Constitution.”

“I want to protect our America,” she said.

The entire parade took about 30 minutes to pass through Coeur d'Alene's downtown. Some drivers circled back, while most headed for their homes.

Some in the the parade, when stopped for traffic lights on Sherman Avenue, offered a few quick words on why they were there and why they supported Trump.

“We believe he’s a great president. He represents us as Americans,” said a man who shouted that his name was Ryan as he drove away.

Bill Guice said, “I support him because he supports me and the American people.”

Mike Souther didn't hesitate and said Trump "has done more for this country than any president in the last 100 years.”