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Moscow City Mayor orders police to arrest People for Singing Hymns
Three people were arrested in Moscow on Wednesday evening for participating in an outdoor worship service. We might expect this in Moscow Russia but not Moscow Idaho. In total, five people were cited by police for being in violation of Moscow’s mask mandate and social distancing orders as they sang church hymns.
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Yesterday evening citizens of Moscow Idaho gathered outside the city hall in the parking lot for a hymn sing, roughly 150 people attended and sang hymns consisting of writings from the book of Psalms. The event was organized by Christ Church of Moscow and was meant to protest the mandatory mask order handed down by the Moscow city council.
According to local sources the event followed all protocol including prior notification to the city of the event’s place and time.
A local resident Gabe Rench, a candidate for county commissioner was arrested on suspicion of violating the city’s mask order, and 2 other citizens were arrested on suspicion of resisting an officer, (whatever that is.)
Research this evening reveals little details but early morning radio reports on KIDO radio say that the order to arrest was given by Moscow mayor Bill Lambert. The arrest and citations were carried out under the direction of Moscow police chief James Fry and Captain Will Krasselt was the arresting officer.
Chief Fry is quoted as saying, “We have been very lenient on enforcing the mask policy, but at some point in time you have to enforce.” Quoted from today's edition of the Moscow-Pullman Daily News
Christ Church Pastor Ben Zornes said the gathering was meant to start pushing back against “largely groundless” laws being passed and enforced without giving heed to what residents want. Christ Church Pastor Doug Wilson warned attendees at the start of the event that they could be cited by police for not wearing a mask or social distancing. God Bless those who were willing to come and not only stand for their beliefs but exercise their Constitutionally protected rights in the face of threat.
There could be miles of speculation on why this occurred, but the why is largely insignificant at this point in time, what is significant are the facts. People were arrested for exercising their rights to congregate, peaceably gather, to worship in the manner of their choice, and freedom of speech, protected by the First Amendment.
The actions of the mayor, police chief, and city officers are a clear civil rights violation, if the police chief is quoted as saying they have been largely lenient on enforcing the policy then why now, and why choose a congregation of church goers as your victims to be made an example of. There is without question more to the story, and we pray that the whole truth will be revealed in the days to come, but at this time I ask you to pray for those who have been affected by this egregious injustice, and equally important reach out and express your concern to those who are responsible.
Moscow City Mayor contact – email - [email protected] Phone: 208-883-7021
Moscow City Police Chief – email - [email protected] 208-883-7000
Written by Don Smith - People's Rights - September 24, 2020
Hundreds of people in protest came to Moscow and sang at City Hall
Doing the same thing that provoked Moscow City Police officers to arrest three people just a few days before, hundreds of people on both Friday and then again on Saturday demonstrated their rights to worship and sang church hymns in the parking lot at Moscow City Hall. As far we are aware, no one was arrested or cited for singing hymns this time around. It is still hard to believe that police officers in the United States would think to justify the arrest of Christians singing hymns in a parking lot...without a permit. The people of Idaho repsoned and made it very clear that they would not tolerate the action of the police officers in enforcing such violation to a person's rights. Never should a Mayor think he has the power to control people's lives this way.
MOSCOW CITY HALL PROTEST - Saturday 26th, 12 - 2 pm
Sep 26, 2020, 2:53 pm MDT
Area 2 is planning a peaceful assembly and asking that we support and assist them in securing their right to assemble.
Because this happened in Idaho all people across the state should participate and show solidarity against these type of actions.
Meet at the Moscow City Hall parking lot at noon. Plan on singing and exercising your right to worship and assemble.
See you in Moscow Saturday!!!!!