Western States Center Responds to Ammon Bundy Protest at Home of Idaho Police Officer
Eric Ward, executive director of Western States Center, released the following statement:
“Ammon Bundy’s protest at the home of an Idaho police officer marks a dangerous escalation by anti-quarantine activists. Their message to law enforcement is clear -- enforce public health rules at your own risk.
This is particularly concerning given the history of deadly violence against law enforcement by anti-government groups. In 2014, anti-government extremists who had previously been at the Bundy standoff murdered two law enforcement officers. According to the ADL, 52 law enforcement officers were killed by right-wing extremists between 1991 and 2019.
“Bundy has endangered his supporters and the health and safety of the community with his reckless protests. Now he is endangering the rule of law. In the shadow of the 25th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, we call on public officials and law enforcement leaders to condemn this effort to intimidate law enforcement and divide the community.
“The officer targeted in the protest recently arrested a prominent anti-vaccine activist for openly and intentionally violating social distancing rules. The officer was performing his job and upholding common-sense rules that save lives.
“We must ensure that our elected officials and public health professionals -- not militia leaders - - decide when our communities stop social distancing. Anything short of that would be mob rule, not democracy.”