WSC Statement on the Conviction and Sentencing of Susan Lang

In response to the conviction and sentencing of Susan Lang for charges related to disturbing the peace outside of the home of Central District Health board members in Boise, Idaho, Western States Center Deputy Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives Amy Herzfeld-Copple issued the following statement.

“Susan Lang’s efforts to harass and intimidate local officials and their families are profoundly disturbing. In December, 2020, Lang, then an area assistant leader with Ammon Bundy’s anti-democracy People’s Rights network, was arrested after she and her collaborators created an environment of chaos and fear for the targeted commissioner, her children and neighbors where the group blasted air horns, banged on buckets, and played clips from the movie Scarface. Lang is one of several People’s Rights leaders to be arrested in recent years for threatening behavior or violence, ranging from harassment of government officials, shootouts with law enforcement and participation in the January 6 U.S. Capitol assault.

“It could not be clearer that the goal of anti-democracy groups is to unravel democratic institutions, undermine community safety, and escalate the potential for violence. Government officials and civil society leaders at every level must treat the threat of bigoted and anti-democracy groups and political violence with the urgency it demands. Our communities need a robust response that includes serious accountability and the firm rejection of this type of harassment. Our government must hold extremist organizations and individuals accountable, to ensure the stability of our democratic institutions, safety of our neighborhoods, and protection of our most vulnerable community members.”

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