To The Women of America...
I was sent a video yesterday of a brave woman by the name of Dr. Teresa Borrenpohl. This video has been widely circulating over the weekend and I was sickened (but not surprised) by what I saw. Dr. Teresa Borrenpohl was exercising her first amendment rights at a town hall where Ed Bejarana was speaking when an off duty sheriff and two unmarked men dressed in black forcibly removed her and zip tied her wrists together and then charged HER with battery. I am putting the video below because I strongly believe that this needs to be shared FAR and WIDE. We cannot let something like this happen with no response.
Coeur D’Alene Idaho is a city that has a long history with hate groups and extremism. The bravery shown by Dr. Teresa Borrenpohl in making this statement cannot be overstated. Much has been said about how the audience reacted, particularly about the silence of the men present. While disappointing, their lack of response isn't entirely unexpected given this city's history. What truly surprised me, however, was that the women in attendance didn't collectively demand accountability—insisting these men disclose their occupations and clarify their involvement in forcibly removing a woman.
Ed Bejarana (a voice actor) states over the microphone while this was happening — “We’ve got to be a little aggressive with some of these folks right here. Your voice is meaningless right now…I can talk over all of you.”
No, Ed. Our voices are not meaningless.
We cannot let this stand.
We are the women of America.
To silence one woman is to awaken an unstoppable movement.
We are the women of America.
Our voices will not be muted.
We are the women of America.
When you diminish one, you strengthen all.
We are the women of America.
Our resilience is louder than your suppression.
We are the women of America.
Together, we are a force that cannot be silenced.
We are the women of America.
Our solidarity is unwavering, our voices unbreakable.
We are the women of America.
When faced with injustice, we rise unified.
We are the women of America.
We speak for her, for us, for all who come next.
We are the women of America.
Imagery
A Little History….
The history of women's suppression in America is long, painful, and deeply rooted. From the earliest days of colonial settlements, women who stepped outside societal norms were labeled witches—not because they practiced witchcraft, but because their independence, intelligence, or resistance to male authority challenged the patriarchal structures of power. The notorious Salem Witch Trials of 1692 exemplify this dark chapter, during which fourteen women were executed—many hanged, but historical accounts also reveal the horrific burning of women alive in some regions, driven not by actual witchcraft, but by deep-seated misogyny and fear of women's autonomy. These trials symbolized the lethal consequences of female defiance, branding outspoken women as threats to a rigid social order that sought to silence them by force.
Over centuries, women's suppression persisted through systematic disenfranchisement, limited access to education, economic subordination, and the denial of fundamental rights. Laws historically considered women property, denied them voting rights until 1920, and perpetuated wage inequality and limited reproductive autonomy, many of which continue today. Each generation witnessed women fighting for recognition, equality, and justice in the face of suppression designed to control their bodies, voices, and futures. Yet, these ongoing struggles, rooted deeply in historical violence, oppression, and persecution—including the brutal reality of women being burned alive under accusations of witchcraft—fuel an unyielding movement determined to reclaim women's power, autonomy, and voice in America.
Stand Together…
Now in 2025, the threat of women's suppression remains dangerously present, manifesting through persistent attempts to undermine reproductive freedoms, restrict access to healthcare, limit educational resources, and erode hard-won rights. Efforts to silence women's voices extend beyond policy debates into widespread cultural narratives that diminish women's autonomy and question their credibility and lived experiences. This climate of suppression threatens not just individual women but the progress achieved through decades of collective struggle, reminding us that hard-won freedoms are fragile and must be vigilantly protected.
Now more than ever, solidarity among women is imperative. Standing together transcends differences in race, class, religion, and political affiliation, creating a unified front capable of confronting systemic oppression. Our strength lies in collective action, in amplifying each other's voices, and refusing to let suppression isolate us. When one woman's rights are threatened, the rights of all women hang in the balance. It is essential that we rise united, acknowledging that only through unwavering unity can we effectively push back against these renewed efforts to diminish our power, voices, and place in society. Together, we are unstoppable, capable of building a future rooted in justice, equality, and respect for every woman.
Rachel Maddow sent a strong message to MSNBC on Monday night when she condemned their decision to remove Joy Reid’s show on air, citing that there are only TWO non-white anchors and both of their shows are being doxed. This is all the energy we need. Use your privilege to speak truth and do it with your whole heart.
Don’t just be a witness…
Here’s how we can collectively shift from being mere observers to active allies:
1. Educate Yourself
Knowledge is power. Clearly understand what constitutes harassment, discrimination, or violence.
Familiarize yourself with local laws, workplace policies, and community resources.
Attend workshops, seminars, or training sessions focused on gender justice and rights.
Engage with organizations advocating for women's rights to deepen your understanding.
Keep updated on changes to laws or policies that protect against gender-based injustice.
2. Ask Yourself - How Would I Respond?
Anticipate potential scenarios and plan your response.
Evaluate your comfort level with direct intervention, indirect action, or involving authorities.
Visualize and practice your potential responses to build confidence.
Consider the possible outcomes and implications of your chosen actions.
Ensure your planned response prioritizes safety—both yours and the targeted individual's.
3. Document
Safely and discreetly document the incident’s details, including time, location, individuals involved, and specific actions observed.
Use audio, video, or photographic methods if safe, permissible, and respectful.
Create detailed written notes soon after witnessing an incident to capture accurate memories.
Safeguard any evidence securely and share it with the affected person or relevant authorities with consent.
Documentation enhances the credibility of reports and aids accountability.
4. Accountability
Report inappropriate behaviors promptly to supervisors, HR departments, or authorities.
If your reports are not taken seriously, escalate concerns through formal complaint processes or external advocacy groups.
Challenge subtle and overt biases in your daily interactions and encourage others to do the same.
Regularly assess and confront your biases to continually improve as an advocate.
Foster an environment of transparency and accountability in your community and workplace.
5. Support
Privately express empathy and validate the experiences and feelings of the targeted individual.
Offer concrete forms of support, such as accompanying them to report incidents or accessing counseling.
Respect and honor their decisions regarding their response or next steps.
Maintain ongoing support through follow-ups and regular check-ins.
Advocate for them when they're unable or unwilling to do so themselves.
6. Organize Locally
Join or create community groups dedicated to promoting women's rights and social justice.
Organize and participate in events, educational workshops, and awareness campaigns.
Utilize social media platforms to amplify messages, create petitions, and mobilize support.
Encourage communal discussions and foster networks to support sustained advocacy.
Collaborate with other local organizations to maximize impact and resource-sharing.
We cannot let this stand.
We are the women of America.
To silence one woman is to awaken an unstoppable movement.
We are the women of America.
Our voices will not be muted.
We are the women of America.
When you diminish one, you strengthen all.
We are the women of America.
Our resilience is louder than your suppression.
We are the women of America.
Together, we are a force that cannot be silenced.
We are the women of America.
Our solidarity is unwavering, our voices unbreakable.
We are the women of America.
When faced with injustice, we rise unified.
We are the women of America.
We speak for her, for us, for all who come next.
We are the women of America.
You can donate to Dr. Teresa Borrenpohl here. This will help with the costs of her legal fight.
I personally decided to email all of the individuals involved in that video and I will leave that information for you below if you choose to do that as well.
The men who were unnamed/unmarked work for a private security firm called L.E.A.R. Asset Management Inc. (identified by Coeur d’Alene Press)
Off-duty Sheriff in the video: Robert Norria kcso@kcgov.us 208-446-1300
Speaker: Ed Bejarana ed@zenithexhibits.com 208-209-7170
Did you hear Mr. Ed braying in the background? Doing everything he could to mock and ostracize her so the crowd wouldn’t react? In what world does a politician speak to his constituents like that?
The few articles I’ve read about this have hesitated to slap a label on what occurred here. Some have taken the stance that she was disruptive and deserved what she got. It’s a calculated, cowardly move - they’re attempting to escape backlash.
I’d like to frame it in a different light. Let’s look at some of the other town halls that occurred this weekend. The ones gathering the most media attention are full of people speaking out. Those people were allowed to speak their fears and frustrations without fear of reprisal.
Ed’s response in Coeur d’Alene was taken straight from the playbook every elitist (almost overwhelmingly white) man has used since the dawn of time. Silence, threaten, demonize. Wash, rinse, repeat.
Whether she was right in speaking out in that moment, or waiting until a later point in the town hall (which assuredly is what the focus will be on); the reaction of those in charge is very telling.
We, the people, pay their salaries. We use our voice to give them their positions. They are there to assist us. They aren’t better than us. They aren’t our overlords. I believe anyone who uses that gifted position of power to weaken, silence, or suppress others should be immediately ejected from their platform.
This is me pleading with the people of Coeur d’Alene along with any comparable American population. Whether you agree with what the good doctor did here or not, do you want to live in a free America? Or would you rather live in a country where disagreeing with policy equals public shaming and prosecution? Do not allow this to go unanswered. It’s only the beginning.
I have absolutely hit the wall with this one. I'M DONE. MEN should fear me from here on out. I'm going to BURN THIS MOTHERFUCKING PLACE TO THE GROUND.