Opposing sides on Syrian refugees rally at Idaho Capitol

BOISE – About 1,000 protesters and counter-protesters on opposite sides of the Syrian refugee resettlement issue demonstrated in front of the Idaho State Capitol in Boise on Saturday.

Officers with the Boise Police Department estimated the crowd on the pro-refugee side on the steps of the Capitol at about 700, and counter-protesters across Jefferson Street at about 300.

About half a dozen officers appeared when the two sides started encroaching on Jefferson Street and impeding traffic, but otherwise authorities reported no problems on the sunny November day.

Supporters of the Syrian refugees titled the event “The Rally for Solidarity with Refugees in Idaho.”

“The people are being forced from their homes and are looking for a new one,” said 21-year-old Lindsay Jordan of Boise, holding a sign that said “Idaho is Too Great for Hate.” “If they can make it here my doors are open.”

A group called Idaho 3 percent coordinated the counter-protesters who carried signs that said “We Must End Refugee Programs” and “No Trojan Horses,” a reference to the fear that terrorists could slip in with refugees.

“We don’t want to see another Paris happen,” said the group’s spokesman, Chris McIntire, 25, of Boise, referring to the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris that killed 130 people and wounded hundreds more.

He said the group wasn’t against Idaho taking in refugees, but that taking shortcuts with Syrian refugees was “a threat to national security.”

Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter on Monday called for the immediate halt of resettling new refugees until vetting rules can be reviewed and state concerns about the program can be addressed.

Otter urged Congress to allow states to opt out of the refugee placement program.