(DCWatchdog.com) – Over the weekend, several dozen members of an organization called Patriot Front were stopped near where an LGBTQ+ parade was about to take place in downtown Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, arrested and charged criminally with conspiracy to riot after being spotted loading into a U-Haul with homemade riot shields, masks, protective equipment, and at least one smoke grenade.
According to a local news station, KREM2, in a report headlined “‘They came to riot downtown’ | Police arrest 31 people with ties to hate group, found inside U-haul“:
“Police stopped a U-haul in downtown Coeur d’Alene on Saturday afternoon and arrested 31 people who were found inside. Police said they believe the people arrested have ties to a white nationalist hate group, Patriot Front.
“They came to riot downtown,” Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Lee White said at a news conference.
“Police were alerted to the group when a concerned person called police around 1:38 p.m. That person reported seeing the group loading into a U-haul that was parked at the Springhill Suites. The group had masks and shields and police said the caller told them it ‘looked like a little army.'” [emphasis added]
According to one reporter on the scene, the “truck was stopped about 1/8th mile from the pride event,” referencing an LGBTQ+ parade about to take place in downtown Coeur d’Alene.
What is your opinion about the arrest of several dozen Patriot Front members who have now been charged criminally with conspiracy to riot after being stopped near where an LGBTQ+ parade was about to take place in downtown Coeur d’Alene, Idaho? Please share your thoughts by emailing [email protected]. Thank you.
BREAKING: Authorities have stopped this Uhaul and detained approximately 20 people. They all have the same type of clothing on. Truck was stopped about 1/8th mile from the pride event. We’re working to get more info from police. @KREM2 pic.twitter.com/bez1msBz45
— Kyle Simchuk (@KyleSimchuk) June 11, 2022
UPDATE: Police say 31 people arrested, charged with conspiracy to riot. Chief Lee White says the group appears to be Patriot Front based on patches, clothing and documents found during the search of the uhaul. Police found shields, shin guards and 1 smoke grenade.
— Kyle Simchuk (@KyleSimchuk) June 11, 2022
