Panhandle Patriots Hold Fundraising Event for Local Community with Politicians, Activists and Families
The Panhandle Patriots, a motorcycle riding club based in North Idaho, recently held a community fundraiser where freedom, liberty and and God were the center of conversation. The Panhandle Patriots aren’t your typical ‘biker-gang’, the Panhandle Patriots are focused mainly on patriotism, Christian morals and ensuring North Idaho remains free from the wiles of a runaway federal government. This is precisely what has given them a ‘bad rap.’
The event was kicked off with a prayer, quickly followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, performed by a group of children. Soon after, a grand piano player from Romania, Bogdan Ota, gave a moving speech on his personal experiences with socialism in his home country, and the similarities he sees within the United States.
“These things are happening here, and the people believe they are free, but they are not” he said to the crowd, adding “in my country, it is the same, the people do not know what freedom is because they lost it so long ago.” Ota then explained that Idaho in particular understands, more than any other place in the world, what freedom really is, and that protecting freedom here in Idaho is crucial to protecting freedom throughout the rest of the United States.
The considerable crowd was filled with familiar faces, such as members of local government, including Leslie Bjerke - CDA school Board, Rachelle Ottoson - Post Falls Library Board, and mayoral candidate Joe Alfieri. Members of the local KCRCC were also in attendance, such as Dan Bell, Beverly Gunnette, and our friend Alan Golub made an appearance as well.
Numerous speeches were given on the topics of Freedom, and how to effect change on the local level within our communities. One speaker noted the liberal media, who have “painted a negative picture” of the group, and how they’ve only done so because it is precisely groups such as the Panhandle Patriots who will go door to door on behalf of candidates, hand out fliers, hold events — doing the volunteer leg-work for political candidates many others have a hard time finding.
Local political activist, Nina Beasley, gave a moving and articulate speech on the concept of liberty, and the importance liberty holds to our state of Idaho, adding that our founding fathers would be “spinning in their graves” if they knew what the government was doing to their people today.
We sat down with ‘Viper’ of the Panhandle Patriots, for a quick interview on their group and what sort of things motivate them to be so involved within the community.
What do you think about the media who has slandered you and your group over the years?
“Ive been called everything under the sun, but if you went to our website you would see that we stand for the precise opposite of the sort of things the (liberal) media says about us. We stand behind the constitution 110% — We don’t back down from that. I’m an old jar-head, i served in the marines too damn long, and i took an oath to protect the constitution and we do just that.”
What would you say is most important to you and your group?
“We want to ensure Coeur d’Alene stays a safe place and that our community is not changed into places like Portland or L.A. — over 100,000 people died last year of opioid overdoses, that is darn near double the number that died in the Vietnam war, a war that i had personally served in, and it is up to the community to ensure that these issues do not become issues in our towns. We have freedom in Idaho, and we need to work together to protect that. This is why we are so involved, and love to help our community.”
Viper, the president of the Panhandle Patriots ended the night saying “If you need help, we are there for you. You can call us, email us or find us at an event, and if you need something, we will be there.”
