IDAHO – Police arrested 31 people this past Saturday on riot charges in relation to a local Pride event. Authorities believe that the suspects are affiliated with White supremacist organization Patriot Front. The 31 individuals were caught wearing riot gear while packed into the back of a U-haul truck near a Pride event in Coeur D’Alene.
Coeur D’Alene Police Chief Lee White stated that it was clear that the individuals sought to riot downtown based on the gear and paperwork that were in their possession. The men were covering their faces with white balaclavas when they were arrested. They were all charged with conspiracy to riot, a misdemeanor.
Police have made it clear that evidence suggests that the men were planning to riot several areas of downtown. Suspects wore shirts with the phrase “reclaim America” when arrested on Saturday and have since posted bond. The FBI is currently assisting the Coeur D’Alene police with this investigation.
Out of the 31 men only one is from Idaho, authorities have revealed, the rest are from Oregon, Washington, Utah, Colorado, Texas, Arkansas, Virginia, Wyoming, Illinois and South Dakota.
The Southern Poverty Law Center describes Patriot Front as a “white nationalist hate group” that is known for its hateful rhetoric. One of the organization’s leaders was among those arrested Saturday.
The arrests were made near where the Idaho Pride Alliance’s “Coeur D’Alene Pride in the Park” event was being held. Authorities have stated that no violence or disruption took place at the event prior to the arrests.