Boise mayor slams Black Lives Matter counterprotesters; police investigating incidents
Mayor Lauren McLean condemned the actions of counterprotesters on Wednesday after they used “physical violence and intimidation” at a Black Lives Matter rally Tuesday evening at Boise City Hall.
The rally, themed “Defund the Police, Fund Social Services,” drew hundreds of attendees and counterprotesters while the Boise City Council met three floors up.
“I condemn those who showed up in our community under the guise of ‘protection’ and instead intimidated, shouted epithets and white nationalist slogans, and in some cases physically assaulted protesters,” McLean said in a release Wednesday morning and on social media. “There is no room for this in our city. There is no room for this in our democratic society that enshrines the right to protest peacefully, dialogue constructively, and come together to build a stronger and more just community.”
Her posts came the morning after the protest.
Sidewalks quickly filled with people Tuesday evening, and shouting matches and physical altercations took place. Police shut down Capitol Boulevard quickly and later worked to de-escalate any confrontations, forming a barrier between the two groups.
According to video and photos posted online from the scene, at least one counterprotester had SS Bolts, which are common white supremacist/neo-Nazi symbol, tattooed to his arm. Another wore a green patch with the same symbol on his clothing. Another shouted “heil Hitler, white power” during the event.
Boise Police issued a statement about the protest on Wednesday morning over Twitter.
“BPD does not condone acts of violence. In anticipating a rally or protest similar to those experienced here recently, the amount of confrontation that we saw last night was unprecedented here in Boise.”
Boise Police did not make any arrests on Tuesday night, the department said. “We are, however, following up on reported incidents and reviewing video to pursue charges and hold people accountable for any criminal actions conducted during the protests.”
“We hold dear people’s rights to peacefully assemble and exercise their first amendment rights. We regret if people did not feel safe protesting last night and know it’s our job to ensure a safe environment for everyone,” BPD said Wednesday.
Despite the piercing sound of a siren used by counterprotesters, which resembled a police siren and was used to try to drown out speakers, individual Black Lives Matter attendees made some remarks to the crowd — as some of the other group yelled, “Go home!”
Angel Mora-Carrillo gave a speech titled “Letter to the Countless,” with personal examples of his struggles, and explained how despite personal hurdles, he wants to support the BLM movement.
“I can always revisit my issues, but I cannot always support my community,” Mora-Carrillo told the Idaho Statesman. “I really want to allow visibility to be seen. We are all going through stuff, but right now, the Black community needs us to be present. We aren’t going to be able to go back and be there when there may not be a tomorrow for a lot of these people.”
Alex Mwibey, a refugee from Africa, said his family lives in fear of prejudice.
“I didn’t come here for myself. I came to support my country as a Black man,” Mwibey told the Statesman. “Especially as a refugee in this country, it’s tough. My parents didn’t want me to come here because they thought I would be killed. But I tell my parents, ‘I am going to go to represent my family, my community.’”
Mwibey said people need to understand that the movement, which has gained steam nationally since the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis — and other killings of African Americans — is to make the country better and forge equality, not stand against anyone.
“This is for our future kids,” Mwibey said. “I want to tell my kids when this was happening I was there to protect my community, my skin. I want people to know Black lives matter.”
Counterprotester Dawane Harris, of Kuna, said he got “goosebumps” by the “amazing” turnout. Some protesters on that side wore President Trump MAGA hats, and carried signs and guns, and one stood in the street in full body armor, carrying an assault rifle. Very few of them wore masks to shield from the coronavirus.
“I am tired of the rhetoric around Black Lives Matter. I mean, I agree Black lives matter, but so do white lives and brown lives and everybody’s life. And especially police lives,” Harris said. “The police are here to protect us and we want to make sure this type of thing doesn’t go too far. I don’t want Boise to turn into Minneapolis.”
The rally was cut about a half-hour short due to a few altercations. Much of the crowd dispersed soon after, though there were some people lingering.
Black Lives Matter protests have been held in Boise over the past six weeks, most of them at the Idaho Capitol. They have often been met by counterprotesters, even at one event that was simply meant to be a vigil for Floyd and others.
Reporter Hayley Harding contributed to this story.
This story was originally published June 30, 2020 at 9:22 PM.
