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Protestors carried signs bearing impassioned slogans at a Black Lives Matter rally in Moscow’s Friendship Square Sunday evening.

Event organizer Brianna Smathers said although some may interpret the movement’s name to suggest otherwise, Black Lives Matter does not value black lives over others. Instead, she said, it is about a community that is fighting for black lives to be valued as much as all other lives.

University of Idaho student Jessy Forsmo-Shadid performed a spoken-word piece on the trials she faces as a black woman.

“This is the way to make the emotions of a woman of color, in this case, a black woman, comical, or outrageous,” she said. “But a white man, a white woman, even a man of color, aren’t seen to be as crazy as I am.

“People will call them daring, powerful, and in the case of Donald Trump, they will call him ‘Simply speaking his mind.’”

She went on to express the fear she feels for her life and her siblings’ lives, as well as of the local KKK and even police.

“I’m afraid of being silenced forever,” she said.

UI Black Student Union President Dorothy Apai, who said she was privileged and never felt unsafe around a police officer, implored listeners to deeply consider the presidential candidate they’re voting for. She advocated for better representation in police departments to forge strong community relationships.

“I honestly feel a lot of hope,” she said. “We all want change. Rallying brings up conversations we should be having. We need to be aware and educate our peers.”

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The event also provided a platform for other issues minority groups face. Other participants gave speeches or performed spoken word pieces about being an ally, shared struggles, community engagement and awareness.

Mohamed Salem, co-chair of the WSU Middle Eastern Student Association, talked about racial profiling at airports, while Sequoia Dance, a WSU alumna, spoke of the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline taking place at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North and South Dakota.

Police were present to deescalate any potential conflicts. Counter protesters were asked to move across the street from the Black Lives Matter protestors by Moscow police. Among them was James Allsup, president of WSU College Republicans, who said they were called racists. The counter protest was not associated with the College Republicans, but consisted of local residents and students.

Cars honked as they drove by the group, which carried American flags and Donald Trump flags and signs thanking police officers for their service and lamenting the injustices faced by internet memes Pepe the Frog and Harambe.

One counter protestor, Jacob Heinen, a WSU sophomore studying agriculture technology and production management said he’s read about other Black Lives Matter protests using anti-police rhetoric.

“We came out here today to show support to our law enforcement officers,” Heinen said. “We wanted to show our law enforcement officers that not everyone is anti-police.”

Moscow resident Jodie Nicotra, 44, attended the event with her children to expose them to current events and show support for the movement. She said she expected the event would draw counter protesters, which she said was indicative of the attention directed toward the current conversation surrounding policing and race in America.

“I’m not surprised, but disappointed,” she said of the counter protestors across the street. “But it shows this (issue) has energy.”