Event in support of law enforcement shifts from a walk to barbecue at Lewiston park

Plans for a Saturday walk to show support for law enforcement officers have been modified, but the organizer says the event is still a go.

"The Blue Line, stand together united walk" will instead be a memorial gathering at Kiwanis Park, still at the originally planned time from 3 to 6:30 p.m.

Organizer Anthony Amoss said he was not able to obtain the $1 million insurance policy required by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to secure a permit for using the levee system.

Instead, participants will gather at Kiwanis Park, just east of the levee in Lewiston. Amoss plans to speak and play recorded music at an informal memorial for fallen officers. He and fellow organizers will provide hot dogs, hamburgers, salads and drinks.

"We decided if we can't get the permit and do the walk, then we would do a barbecue with a memorial," Amoss said.

He was inspired to organize the event following a sniper attack July 7 at a Black Lives Matter rally in Dallas that left five police officers dead and nine wounded.

Amoss said members of a group promoting adherence to the U.S. Constitution, called Idaho 3 Percent, had offered to provide security for the event. But a 3 Percent member contacted Wednesday afternoon said he had deemed a security presence unnecessary.

"I don't feel the need to do security for something like this," Matt Dillard said, noting he knew of no threats or protests directed toward the event.

Dillard, who serves as a zone leader for the group in north central Idaho, said he and other 3 Percent members will simply be in attendance to show support for law enforcement officers.

"We absolutely support our police departments," Dillard said.

A Black Lives Matter rally in July drew threatening comments on that event's Facebook page. But area law enforcement leaders said there have been no threats in the lead-up to Saturday.

Lewiston Police Department Lt. Joedy Mundell said officers who are on patrol will stop by to participate and provide security, if necessary.

Mundell said the police department has not been involved in preparing for the event, but described the atmosphere surrounding it as "peaceful" and "well-intentioned."

"We don't have any specific direct concerns of any kind," Mundell said. "We see no need whatsoever to have the 3 Percent or any other organization provide security."

Asotin County Sheriff John Hilderbrand said he plans to attend.

He's interested to see what the community response is like, Hilderbrand said, "and if I don't agree with the agenda, then I can leave."

He expects no problems, though.

"I don't have any concerns, if the agenda goes the (way) that it sounds like it should go," he said. "I wish him (Amoss) well with it."

Additional information can be found on the event's Facebook page under "I Support the Blue Line Stand Together United Walk."

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Stone may be contacted at mstone@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2244. Follow her on Twitter @MarysSchoolNews.