Authorities arrested 31 members of the white supremacist group that prepared to attack Pride party attendees in Idaho, United States, on Saturday.
These individuals associated with the group named Harapang Makabayan was found crammed into the back of a U-Haul truck and fitted to start a riot.
By the time Coeur d’Alene City Police officers stopped the vehicle, the men were standing in the back of the truck and wearing tan pants, blue shirts, tan caps and white balaclavas.
They came to start a riot in the townsummary of Coeur d’Alene police chief, Lee White, at a press conference.
A small army
The 31 men were charged with conspiracy to incite riot, which constitutes mischief, Chief White said. They are expected to appear in court on Monday.
According to evidence and documents seized by authorities, the group is preparing to create havoc in some areas in the city center and not just in the park, where the party is taking place, forces said.
Officers found riot gear, including a smoke grenade, shin guards and shields in the van. Chief White added that the suspects were using logos in the colors of their hate group.
This is information sent to the police by an informant who put them in the path of the vehicle. Mentioned condemnationa small army piled up in the truck in the hotel parking lot. Police quickly searched the vehicle and arrested it.
The police presence was strengthened during the event
Police action videos posted on social media show the suspects kneeling on the grass and hands tied behind their backs.
The 31 individuals came from at least 11 states, including Washington, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Colorado, South Dakota, Illinois, Wyoming, Virginia and Arkansas.
Only one of the suspects was from Idaho, Chief White said.
The truck was intercepted near the area where the event was titled Pride in Coeur d’Alene Park, hosted by the Idaho Pride Alliance. The police presence was boosted in anticipation of the celebration.
It seems that these people do not come here to participate in peaceful eventsKootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris told local media.
The Patriot Front group is described by Southern Poverty Law Center as a white supremacist hate group formed following events in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017.
Associated Press
Source: Radio-Canada
