Rallies set for Capitol steps over the coming days

Two big rallies have been announced for the Capitol steps in the coming days: An “Add the Words” rally on Saturday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.; and a “Stop Tuition Hikes” rally, supporting a ballot initiative to raise cigarette taxes and lower college tuition, is set for Monday at 12:30.

The “Add the Words” rally, in support of adding the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the Idaho Human Rights Act to ban discrimination based on those factors, will feature live music from Rebecca Scott and the Boise Gay Men’s Chorus, with Ken Bass as the rally MC. “We have widespread support – religious folks and clergy stand with us as they share their message of love; straight allies like myself are standing up and making it clear that discrimination against any group is harmful to all,” said Add the Words Chair Lisa Perry. Legislation to make the change was introduced last year, but died in committee on a party-line vote.

The “Stop Tuition Hikes” rally Monday will include speakers from both parties. Organizer William Moran said the group has seen strong interest, including from college students who will be off that day for the Martin Luther King Jr./Idaho Human Rights Day holiday.  “We have 342 confirmed guests as of this time and we expect a lot more,” he said.