Sixth Panhandle Paddle set this weekend

Wild Idaho Rising Tide and allied climate activists invite area residents to participate in annual Panhandle Paddle activities in Sandpoint.

Activities begin today and run through Sunday.

Friday, the #No2ndBridge talk will be held from 4-6 p.m. at the Gardenia Center, 400 Church St.

At this informal presentation and public discussion, participants can exchange issue information and brainstorm creative opposition and regulatory and legal recourse to the myriad, significant impacts of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway’s Sandpoint Junction Connector project.

Those attending are encouraged to bring ideas about campaign organizing and railroad monitoring and protesting, and gather for conversations, snacks, and beverages.

On Saturday, direct action training will take place from 2-5 p.m. at the Gardenia Center. Local and West Coast trainers will hold interactive presentation and practice workshops on topics such as knowing your rights, strategizing, affinity group dynamics, target selection, scouting, action design and roles, media and police interactions, de-escalation, security, safety, self-defense, and jail solidarity. RSVP to request particular, adapted sessions, and join WIRT and guests, to learn, share, and strengthen frontline skills, tactics, and insights.

On Sunday, the sixth annual Panhandle Paddle will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at City Beach and Dog Beach parks.

Those interested should meet at the south boat ramp at City Beach, for a flotilla demonstration around present and proposed Lake Pend Oreille railroad bridge sites, launching after participants arrive by land and water. At noon, another rally will converge after paddlers reach Dog Beach Park, before a return voyage.  Bring friends, family, canoes and other manual watercraft, and distantly visible banners and signs.

Information: phone, 208-301-8039;, Facebook, WildIdaho.RisingTide; and online, wildidahorisingtide.org