Liberate Moscow City Council Protest

“People need to stop being ignorant about how serious this is just because we’re not seeing severe, widespread problems here in our immediate area,” one person said about a protest event called Liberate Moscow Peaceful Protest. 

According to the event page, the protest is planned for Monday April 20 at 6:15pm and is organized by Gabe Rench. The protest will take place at Moscow City Hall’s sidewalks and public areas (206 E 3rd Street).

The description for the event says “We have prayed, emailed, texted, and communicated peacefully with our city council.” The description also appeals to the US constitution: “we are going to peacefully “assemble to petition our government’ to reverse the course of action, as is our right under the constitution.”

The description cites a study on Latah County which reports that the county has lost over 3000 jobs with an economic impact loss of over $22 million (https://restartnow.io/us/idaho). 

Currently there are only three reported COVID-19 cases in the county and no deaths. 

The description also suggests that the city council has been using “bad modeling on initial data from China, Iran, and Italy.” It goes on to say, “the more reasonable approach in all this, is for the elderly and others vulnerable to COVID-19 to self quarantine.”

It concludes saying, “Our government was made by the people, and when the government turns on its citizens and threatens our freedoms and way of life, it is time for us to peacefully say enough is enough.”

Some sign ideas were posted on the event page which read: “Security w/o Liberty is Prison” and “Facts not Fear.” 

One sign said “Uphold the Constitution Restore Liberty.” In response, one person wrote, “You still have rights… find other ways to have gatherings. It’s 2020. Zoom. Call. FaceTime. Facebook live.”

There were several counter protest comments on the event page. 

One person posted on the event page saying, “OK, let’s try this again: What people should be protesting is the lack of comprehensive COVID testing & contact tracing. That is the key factor causing these social distancing measures to be necessary and drawn out.”

In response to that comment, another person said, “They aren’t mutually exclusive. We can do those things and let people make their own decisions about which is worse, going in public, or descending into social and financial decay sitting at home.”

Another comment made by a person who identified as “a volunteer in Michigan doing contact tracing,” said, “Protests at this time are irresponsible. People who are a part of them should identify themselves so the public health officials can trace people and see if they spread COVID. If they played a part in it thanks to the protest, then they shouldn’t receive healthcare coverage for their illness and medical practitioners should have the option of opting out of putting themselves at risk to care for careless people.” 

Another comment on the event said: “We have 3 known cases because the city council and Mayor did the right thing! Kuddos for keeping us safe!”

In response to that comment, another person said: “We only have 3 cases. I know more than 3 people who have lost their jobs…I have another friend who was diagnosed with cancer as this shutdown started.. The appointments to determine his treatment has been postponed due to the virus. Do you think the unemployed and terminally ill feel safe?”

The description of the event includes these instructions: 

• Keep the recommended physical distance of six feet by family unit.
• Wear a mask if you feel compelled.
• Bring respectful and fact-based signs to the protest if possible, but PLEASE don’t let that keep you from coming. Just having people showing support will speak volumes.
• No yelling allowed.
• Pray for our council to change their minds.