See, this is the kind of stuff that causes protests for authoritarian over-reach
Idaho woman faces jail for holding yard sale in violation of coronavirus stay-at-home order
A northern Idaho woman with six kids is facing six months in jail on a charge of holding a yard sale in violation of the state’s coronavirus stay-at-home order.
The misdemeanor summons was issued to Christa Thompson, 33, of Rathdrum on Friday, according to Rathdrum police and local media reports.
“The Rathdrum Police Department attempted to educate and warn prior to issuing a citation,†Police Chief Tomi McLean said Friday in a Facebook post that has generated more than 1,400 comments.
“Rathdrum PD has also received several complaints from the public in regard to the yard sale,†she said. “This was a large non-essential yard sale that filled the entire front yard and spilled into the back yard as well. These yard sale items could be seen from Highway 41.â€
Under Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s stay-at-home coronavirus order, garage sales and yard sales are not an essential business and are prohibited. Violations of the order are misdemeanors punishable by a 6-month jail sentence or a $1,000 fine.
“Officers were on scene on April 9, 2020 when the owner asked if the yard sale was in violation of the Governor’s orders,†McLean said. “The officer educated the homeowner that the yard sale was in violation of the Governor’s stay-at-home-order, and they were admonished not to have the yard sale.â€
So, there were some snitches, eh? Why is this there business? And then law enforcement comes by? What if everyone was still social distancing? Regardless, this is someone doing this on their private property. A yard sale. Are people not disturbed that law enforcement is coming to arrest someone having a yard sale? That the Governor (who is a Republican, let’s not that, because it apparently isn’t just Democrats being little Fascists) can simply deem everything not liked as non-essential, and have a citizen arrested like this? With the potential for 6 months in jail.
Also in Idaho
Coronavirus: Idaho mother’s arrest at closed playground area sparks protest
The arrest of an Idaho mother who allegedly refused to leave a playground area closed by the coronavirus pandemic sparked a protest at Meridian City Hall Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
Sara Brady, 40, was allegedly captured on video telling an officer to arrest her as she participated in a smaller planned protest at the park with a group of people and her two children nearby, according to reports.
“Arrest me for being difficult. Do it! Record it!,” she was allegedly heard saying. Police gave her a count of five to leave, according to Boise’s KTVB.
Now, this isn’t quite so black and white for liberties. Parks, and areas of parks, are closed periodically for reasons. In this case, it was the play equipment, which has plastic, and reports say bat soup virus can stick to plastic and metal and such for several hours to several days (which is interesting, because they also say that we shouldn’t worry about it sticking to stuff we buy at the supermarket, which can be in plastic containers). Kids play on it, someone gets it, they pass it on to older people. And, the rest of the park was open. There’s a time to make a stand and a time not to. This was in the “not to”, in my opinion.
Her arrest prompted about 100 people to demonstrate in front of Meridian City Hall.
This is not the hill to die on, as the saying goes, but, you know what? They can do them, because the Idaho Constitution says so. Article I section 10. #9 is freedom of speech. #2 is about power being inherent in the people.
There is a much bigger protest planned at the Idaho capital for Friday.
Read: Bat Soup Arrests: How Does 6 Months In Jail For Holding A Yard Sale Sound? »