| Saturday, Aug. 1 in Nezperce
When Peoples Rights announced they would be in Nezperce on Saturday, Aug. 1 to “demand justice for Sean,” the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Nezperce got prepared for the worst. Only about 40 participants came to town for the rally which was held in Memorial Park and there were no incidents. David Bennett who served as the emcee at the rally stated from the stage of the pavilion in the park, “They closed this little town down for this. They were afraid of us,” pointing out the event had been described as a “protest” when in reality it was a “patriotic rally” seeking justice for Sean Anderson and wanting to know the truth about what happened Saturday, July 18. According to a release from the Idaho State Police: Sean L. Anderson, 52, Riggins was stopped by a Lewis County Deputy on Highway 12 (Kamiah) at approximately 2:47 a.m. on July 18. The driver initially stopped for the Deputy but then drove off which began a pursuit. Other local agencies including a second Lewis County Deputy, an Idaho County Deputy and an Officer with the Nez Perce Tribal Police assisted in the pursuit. The driver eventually stopped in a residential area outside of Ferdinand in Idaho County where Anderson is accused of using a shot gun and firing it in the direction of a Lewis County Deputy after which the officers returned fire. Anderson was hospitalized for injuries and was charged with aggravated assault upon a peace officer, firearms enhancement. Peoples Rights posted on social media they are planning to meet in at the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office in Nezperce on Aug. 1 to “demand justice for Sean” and “all officers involved must be charged with attempted murder.” The Nezperce City Council held a special meeting July 29 and passed a “Local Emergency Proclamation” discouraging participation in the Aug. 1 event and asking residents to stay home. The Only Store and the Nezperce Pool were both closed (with The Only Store opening at 3 p.m. Saturday after everything was over with). The Lewis County Horse show scheduled for the Cecil Hill Arena in Nezperce Aug. 1 was moved to a private arena out of town. The event was scheduled to be in front of the Sheriff’s Office on Oak Street but was moved to Memorial Park to keep the road clear and allowing more room for those in attendance. Along Oak Street Aug. 1 were people from area communities, most in blue shirts and armed, to show support for the local sheriff’s department and to help make sure things did not get damaged downtown. There was also a large presence of area emergency services personal that set up on the Nezperce School grounds. The main speaker at the rally was Ammon Bundy from Emmett who got known nationally after organizing an armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Burns, Ore. in 2016. Sean Anderson and his wife Sandy were with Bundy in Burns, Ore. and were two of the last to leave. The rally started around 12:30 p.m. and wrapped up by 1:45 p.m. The rally participants then paraded through town twice with most then leaving. Bundy and some others stopped on Oak Street where Bundy took the time to shake hands with the officers located in front of the courthouse/sheriff’s office. Lewis County Sheriff Jason Davis did talk at the rally in Memorial Park stating, “Thank you for coming out and being peaceful today,” adding the events of July 18 were tragic for all involved. The Rally was broadcast live on the internet and can probably still be found on Youtube. Reprinted from this week’s Lewis County Herald.  A SWAT team came to Nezperce, just in case things turned ugly.  Ammon Bundy, right in cowboy hat, and some of the rally supporters are seen stopping downtown after the rally.  Some of rally supporters listen to the speakers at Memorial Park in Nezperce. All photos this page courtesy of the Lewis County Herald.  Some the rally attendees at Nezperce Saturday with the rally being filmed for YouTube. Lewis County Herald photo.  Lots of armed support for the Lewis County Sheriff’s Dept. to help keep the peace. All photos courtesy of the Lewis County Herald.
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