Caldwell issues release on anti-ICE gathering at site of kids’ ice skating event
After an immigrant-rights organization announced an informational gathering at a Caldwell outdoor community space, social media backlash led to the city of Caldwell releasing a statement and planning a police presence.
The organization that announced the event, Idaho ICE Community Watch, says that it provides resources about what people can do if they are approached and questioned by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and notifies people of possible ICE sightings around the Treasure Valley, according to its website.
The organization posted on Facebook and Instagram about a planned “ICE Out of Idaho” event for Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Indian Creek Plaza in downtown Caldwell. The post reads that it is an “open mic for community members to speak about how ICE presence in Idaho is affecting their families.” Additionally, the post said there would be free whistles, resources and “know your rights” information.
At the same time Friday, Indian Creek Plaza already had a “family-friendly” event scheduled for 5-9 p.m. at the plaza’s ice rink: Superhero Skate Night, part of the plaza’s regularly scheduled ice skating program on Friday nights.
After people took to social media to express concerns about ICE Watch’s gathering, the city of Caldwell released a statement, making it clear that the city was not “sponsoring, organizing, or endorsing” that event.
The statement said Caldwell upholds the rights to peaceful assembly and free speech guaranteed in the First Amendment, and said Caldwell Police Department officers and other public safety agencies would be present.
Char Jackson, a spokesperson for the city, told the Statesman in an email that the city issued a short press release because it felt the need to “reassure the community that (it) is aware of the gathering and to set our clear expectations for lawful and peaceful conduct.”
Jackson also said city officials noticed the comments on social media about the events taking place at the same time Friday night.
The far-right Idaho Liberty Dogs posted on Facebook a direct message received from Indian Creek Plaza stating that the city-owned property was made aware of ICE Watch’s event and wanted help spreading the word that the anti-ICE gathering was not sanctioned by Destination Caldwell, which manages the plaza.
“We do not rent to political activists, demonstrators or protests. We are a family friendly event center where safety is the number one priority,” part of the message read.
Indian Creek Plaza is a community area in downtown Caldwell that houses an ice rink, a stage for live entertainment and a splash pad. It’s owned by the city and run by Destination Caldwell, an economic development and tourism nonprofit, according to its website.
As a 501 (c)(3), Destination Caldwell may not support or oppose any political campaign or movement, so the nonprofit will not host any political campaign-based events at the plaza, the website says. Jackson confirmed with the Statesman that although it is a city-owned property, anyone organizing an event at the plaza would have to contact Destination Caldwell.
However, Jackson told the Statesman that community members showing up to demonstrate or gather would not be denied access to the property.
ICE Watch went to Instagram amid the backlash and stated that its event also is meant to be family-friendly and to allow people to “build community, mutual aid and defense.”
The event was not planned as a protest, but organizers planned to set up a table with resources and information for community members, who would be allowed to speak publicly about their experiences with ICE, an organizer told the Statesman in a message.
