BOISE, Idaho — A group of students and community members have been protesting on the Old Ada County Courthouse lawn near the state capitol since May 5, promoting humanity, a cease-fire and support for Palestine while protesting genocide, war and anti-Semitism.
A woman was arrested on the evening of May 10. According to the Idaho State Police (ISP) she was arrested for not moving from the area while police conducted grounds maintenance, resisted arrest and refused to give her identity.
"There was a 6:30 p.m., notice to vacate the grounds for maintenance. At about 9:45 p.m., ISP returned to the area (with asst from BPD) and protesters had not left. Most left with police presence, except the female. She was booked into jail as she refused to identify herself. There were tents, tables, & food that were impounded," ISP Public Information Officer Aaron Snell said.
One of the protesters, who did not want to be named for fear of retribution, told KTVB some police have been rough with protesters.
"They hit a couple women as they did so and then two nights ago they came out in full on riot gear and had an ambulance on standby. They had face masks and guns at the ready," he said.
He said they have been peacefully protesting and that the police have been forcibly removing things, and the woman arrested was trying to grab a painting before moving off the grounds.
"One of my friends went to grab a painting off the lawn. They were trying to clear and they dragged her into the building. She was bailed out of county jail early this morning," the protester said. "The last couple nights on Wednesday the police forcibly removed our things from the capital during a sweep after they said we could be there."
KTVB was unable to find if the woman had bonded out at the time of this publication. ISP said sweeps is a "is a bit of a misnomer." Snell added that the police have been communicating with the protesters since the beginning.
"They (ISP) have, and continue, patrolling the state grounds. There have been numerous conversations, education and warnings. Many of our efforts are rebuffed by some, but others interact to learn about the rules so any potential conflict is minimized,' Snell said.
There have been similar protests across the U.S. and around the world in recent weeks, many on college campuses.
According to the Associated Press (AP), following the attack on Israel by Hamas, the Palestinian death toll has grown and the people are now facing famine like conditions.
"The Israel-Hamas war has driven around 80% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million from their homes and caused vast destruction in several towns and cities. The death toll in Gaza has soared to more than 34,500 people, according to local health officials," the AP stated.
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