The Law caught up with Idaho City over arresting Christians from singing hymns as a protest during Covid-19 restrictions
A recent settlement has been reached in Idaho, where the city will pay $300,000 to resolve legal claims brought by Christians who were arrested in 2020 during a protest against COVID-19 restrictions. The incident sparked controversy and raised concerns about constitutional rights being violated.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit were Gabriel Rench and Sean and Rachel Bohnet. They filed their legal complaints against the city of Moscow, Indiana, along with certain city employees, asserting that their constitutional rights had been infringed upon. The Christian Post reported on this development, shedding light on the issues at hand.
The settlement was made possible through the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program, the liability insurance provider for the city. They decided to pay the settlement fees and dismiss all claims brought against the city and its employees.
A significant factor in the resolution was the ruling by a judge, who declared the arrests of these Christians as "wrongful," pointing out that the city had misinterpreted its own code. This ruling brought an end to a distressing chapter, but it came at a substantial cost to the city taxpayers. Gabriel Rench lamented that the city had spent approximately $500,000 of its resources during this legal battle, including the mediated settlement.
The events leading to the arrests took place in September 2020 when the Moscow Police Department detained several individuals during a "Psalm Sing" protest held in the city hall parking lot. The protest was organized by Gabriel Rench, who is also a church deacon. During the protest, three Christians were arrested, and two others were issued citations.
Moscow Police Chief James Fry stated that the arrests and citations were made because those involved were not wearing masks or adhering to social distancing guidelines. The attendees were accused of resisting or obstructing an officer during the incident. An estimated 150 to 200 people participated in the protest.
At the time of the protest, the city had an Amended Public Health Emergency Order in place, which required attendees of public gatherings to maintain six feet of physical distance or wear a face mask. This order aimed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
Douglas Wilson, one of the attendees, recounted his experience on the church's Facebook page. He mentioned that police were "waiting for them" and that an officer informed him and others about the requirement to maintain social distancing or wear masks, threatening citations for non-compliance. Despite being informed, the protesters chose to go ahead with their hymn singing, resulting in the arrests and citations.
This settlement serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding issues related to COVID-19 restrictions and how they can impact people's rights and freedoms. As society continues to navigate the challenges brought on by the pandemic, finding a balance between public health measures and safeguarding individual liberties remains an on going discussion.
