Stand With Christa Thompson | Rathdrum Protest
Christa Thompson is an out-of-work bartender. Her husband, Peter, is a truck driver. Thankfully he is still employed. He indicated he is is working hard to keep our stores stocked to the best of their ability. Just as this Wuhan virus pandemic was kicking into high gear here in the U.S., Peter’s father died. They were facing severe bills and thought they could remain home and do a yard sale of some of his father’s stuff.
Initially, very few people would come by their home — one or two at a time, and out in the open. No one enters their home; visitors would come by the yard, grab a few items, and leave. Basically a lot less than any day at Costco. However, their neighbors across the street decided to report the Thompson family to the authorities.
The Rathdrum police came by and warned them that they could not stay outside, in their yard, and sell their stuff. On their property. Their economic plight was deemed “non-essential.” The Thompson’s appear to continue to allow people to buy items while they sorted through a lifetime of stuff. They were staying at their home, just holding a small yard sale. It seems that the Rathdrum police received several additional complaints from apparently the same people. The Rathdrum Police Chief Tomi McLean reports that his deputies came by the Thompson’s home multiple times. After being called several times, the Rathdrum police wrote the Thompson couple a “ticket” or citation for breaking Republican Governor Little’s stay-at-home order.
Then several people, including Casey Whalen, a local citizen journalist, the Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF) and several others heard about this issue. They publish information across their various extensive email list and on social media accounts. A small number of people showed up at the Rathdrum Police department to protest the police citing the Thompson household for holding a yard sale during the Idaho State “stay-at-home” order. The Rathdrum police refused to have any spokesman come and talk to the tiny group of 10 or so people. They even locked the door to the police department so that no one would go in. Thus American citizens wrote in chalk outside the police stations messages encouraging officers to respect the constitution.
After the tiny protest in front of Rathdrum, the small group went over to the Thompson’s residence. At this point, we met a couple of Idaho State Police (ISP) officers who just happened to be across the street. A few of us went over to talk to them. The officer who we spoke to was professional and courteous. I explained to the officer that there is a question if the orders to place under house arrest the entirety of the American / Idaho population will be found constitutional under either the Idaho constitution or the US constitution.
While Idaho’s Attorney General Lawrence Wasden has suggested that all the orders the Governor has issued are “completely legal and constitutional,” other lawyers disagree. One lawyer suggested that Idaho Code 56-1003(7)(c) has never been used to lock the totality of the Idaho citizenry into their homes. Previously it was used on a limited number of people who had well-defined health risks for a minimal time. Currently the State of Idaho is attempting to use this code to deny an entire healthy population of people their rights to work, assemble or travel. Thus the State of Idaho may be skating on thin ice. However, conversations with the Idaho State police were cordial. Most of the returned to the Thompson’s residence, purchased a few items, and went on our way.
I am happy to stand with Peter and Christa Thompson as a private citizen like I have stood with many others. I look forward to being their voice in Boise as their State Senator. I like my government small, my taxes low, my borders strong, and my speech free if you agree, vote freedom. Vote Alex Barron for District 3!
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