An Idaho mother arrested for refusing to leave a playground closed due to coronavirus concerns has sparked protests at a local city hall.
Sara Brady, 40, was allegedly captured on video instructing an officer to arrest her during a small protest with other people, including her two children, at a closed playground in Meridian, Idaho, defying coronavirus stay-at-home orders, according to Fox News.
“Arrest me for being difficult. Do it! Record it!” she can be heard saying in a video that was captured on Facebook Live, but has since been taken down, and made the rounds on social media earning tens of thousands of reactions, according to KTVB Boise.
? BREAKING ?
Mother arrested in Meridian, Idaho for letting kids play in park
This has gotten out of control
Stop arresting free Americans for being outside with their families
RT!! pic.twitter.com/TUsbgat0D2
— Rogan O’Handley ?? (@DC_Draino) April 22, 2020
The police reportedly warned Brady that the playground is closed several times, at one point saying, “Exit the playground area now. I’m really trying to be nice about this.”
Brady was arrested and charged with misdemeanor trespassing and booked into jail Tuesday afternoon. She has since been bailed out.
Her arrest inspired a group of around 100 people to protest at Meridian City Hall.
“These are very trying times and the Meridian Police Department supports the public’s right to assemble for peaceful protest, however, the right does not include damaging public property or ignoring closures of City property and facilities,” the Meridian Police Department said in a statement.
Brady’s arrest is part of a national conversation that has been unfolding as protesters in several states have started pushing back against stay-at-home orders they believe to be unnecessary and overbearing.
