In October of 2020, the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force joined with other community members and signed an open letter stating that we trusted local law enforcement to provide protection in our community and did not need armed militias on our sidewalks, questioning and intimidating anyone. This action was taken after just such incidents occurred — spurred by a spontaneous demonstration by high school students in support of “Black Lives Matter” – and an ill-founded rumor that “Antifa” was stockpiling bricks and coming to smash through the windows of local businesses. The letter urged law enforcement to take a firm stance against groups who would unlawfully seek to intimidate our neighbors and visitors.

Currently there is a bill in the Legislature, HB 475, that seeks to make such unregulated militia action legal. HB 475 was passed by the House and sent to the Senate, where it's in their States Affairs committee.

The Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection wrote a six-page letter to the Idaho Legislature advising that the basis for the bill – namely that the current statutes restricting militias are unconstitutional — is erroneous, and citing many examples. The Supreme Court, in a landmark decision in 2008, reiterated that “military organization and drill and parade under arms are subjects under the control of the government … they cannot be claimed as a right independent of law.” Despite this – HB475 is being supported by Governor Brad Little, and the head of the Idaho National Guard.

In 2020, following the publication of the open letter, members of the BCHRTF contacted the Bonner County Sheriff, and the chiefs of police in Sandpoint, Ponderay and Priest River regarding our concern about local militias and the need for law enforcement to discourage their actions — for everyone’s safety, including their own. Wheeler, in a public statement, warned citizens to “refuse to take the bait by rushing into the streets to make a show of force; it is not necessary.” He stated that he “advised all who called him to stand down and not to respond to the unsubstantiated threats of violence.” Task force members also met with Chief Corey Coon in Sandpoint, who said he would make a public statement. There were no public responses made by the other law enforcement chiefs.

HB 475 was passed by the House and sent to the Senate where its in their States Affairs committee. The BCHRTF has had over 275 people sign onto this letter. People can still add their signatures on our website. The first letter has been sent to all the state senators and the governor.

ICAP suggests that: “It would be particularly useful to get law enforcement to make some public statements or perhaps organize their own letter to the legislature about the danger of unauthorized private militia groups, both to the public and to law enforcement themselves."

This might need to be accompanied by legal challenges. We recommend that those who see this bill as posing a threat rather than enhancing the safety of people in Idaho, to do what they can to prevent it from becoming law. If that is not successful, other action will need to be taken.

The BCHRTF will be sending an open letter to all of the Idaho state senators and Governor Little – stating our concerns and asking them to oppose this bill.

If you would like to have your name added to this letter – go to the task force website: bchrtf.org. There will be a place for you to sign on.

The BCHRTF has had over 275 people sign onto this letter. People can still add their signatures on our website. The first letter has been sent to all the State Senators and the Governor.

BRENDA HAMMOND

Bonner County Human Rights Task Force

Sandpoint