He was spurred, too, by a letter dated Jan. 13 from Missoula County commissioners to the U.S. Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration. It was in support of Soft Landing’s quest to help resettling “approximately 100 refugees per year” through the International Rescue Committee’s Reception and Placement program.

Monday’s rally, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., ended in the cold shortly after 11:30 a.m. At least a dozen people used a sidewalk cornerstone to argue against such a move, as co-organizers constantly asked supporters to keep the middle of the sidewalk clear.

Buterbaugh said speakers would have to speak loudly to make themselves heard as they were told they couldn’t use a sound system he brought for fear it would interfere with proceedings inside the courthouse.

Soft Landing said in advance it wouldn’t hold a counter-rally, but along with the Montana Human Right Network issued statements before it began.

"We're saddened to see a group that's not from our community come in to tell us we shouldn't help people fleeing from violence," said co-founder Mary Poole. "Compassion is a Missoula value, Missoula successfully took in refugees for decades, and we know that once again our community will overcome the politics of fear in order to provide safe haven for war-town families."