About 100 protesters burned masks outside Idaho’s Capitol in Boise on Saturday as a statement against pandemic restrictions, according to authorities and people who tweeted from the scene.
No one was arrested, and organizers had permission, but the protest was under investigation because a fire broke out, Idaho State Police said in a statement.
“During the event, an open flame was lit in a barrel,” police said. “Those involved in the event were informed before and during the event that open flames are not allowed on the State Capitol grounds.”
Video and photos shown children present and even participate.
Conservative activist Darr Moon, the husband of the Republican rep. Dorothy Moon, said it was one of several Burn the Mask events in the state organized by several groups on Saturday. He posted photos on Facebook of a similar event in Rexburg.
Moon said because the country is mostly rural, he has a low number of infections in Covid-19, and masks and other pandemic restrictions are not always necessary.
“Certain health districts are compulsory or certain towns are required to wear masks and we just don’t have the numbers here,” he said. “The Covid numbers are very low. We have flattened the curve a long time ago and people want to go back to work, they want a normal life.”
According to the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, about 1 in 4 people who tested for the virus in Idaho last week showed positive. This is off to the state’s highest time the week of December 6, when two-thirds of those tested were positive.
According to NBC News, the state recorded 1,876 pandemic deaths.
The state recommends masks ‘strongly’, but it is not mandatory, although some cities and provinces need it. Both indoor and outdoor events are limited to 50 or fewer people. Tables in bars and restaurants must be at least six meters apart, and all customers must sit.
Republican Gov. Brad Little tweeted Thursday, “Keep practicing things we know work. Wear your mask. Wash your hands. Stay home when you are sick.”
Idaho’s State House Committee has paved the way for debate on a bill banning mask mandates by government agencies.
“We are not against face masks,” Moon said. “You know, some people might have to protect themselves. There are certain sections of the population that are elderly … they have problems. For healthy people, we want to get back to work.
“Our livelihood has been jeopardized because of all the executive orders and mandates.”
The Associated Press contributed.