About 100 protesters burned masks outside the Idaho Capitol in Boise on Saturday as a statement against restrictions on the pandemic, according to officials and people who tweeted the scene.
No one was arrested and the organizers were allowed, but the demonstration was being reviewed because a fire was started, Idaho State Police said in a statement.
“During the event, an open flame was lit in a barrel,” said police. “Those involved with the event were informed before and during the event that open flames are not allowed on the grounds of the State Capitol.”
Video and photos shown kids gifts and even participating.
One person responsible for the demonstration, conservative activist Darr Moon, the husband of state deputy Dorothy Moon, said it was one of multiple Burn the Mask demonstrations across the state on Saturday, organized by various groups. He posted photos on Facebook of a similar event in Rexburg.
Moon said that since the state is predominantly rural, the number of Covid-19 infections is low and masks and other restrictions on the pandemic are not always necessary.
“Certain health districts are demanding or certain cities are demanding the use of masks and we just don’t have the numbers here,” he said. “Covid’s numbers are very low. We flattened the curve a long time ago and people want to go back to work, they want to have a normal life.”
According to the Coronavirus Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University, about 1 in 4 people who tested for the virus last week in Idaho tested positive. This is below the state record in the week of December 6, when two-thirds of those tested tested positive.
The state reported 1,876 pandemic deaths, according to the NBC News count.
The state “strongly recommends” masks, but they are not mandatory, although some cities and counties require them. Internal and external meetings are limited to 50 or fewer people. Tables in bars and restaurants must be at least two meters apart and all customers must be seated.
Republican Governor Brad Little tweeted Thursday, “Keep practicing the things we know will work. Wear your mask. Wash your hands. Stay home if you’re sick.”
On Tuesday, the Idaho House State Affairs Committee paved the way for debate on a bill that would ban masking mandates by government officials.
“We are not against masks,” said Moon. “You know, some people may need to protect themselves. Some parts of the population are elderly … they have problems. For people with a healthy body, we want to go back to work.
“Our livelihoods have been put at risk because of all executive orders and mandates.”
The Associated Press contributed.