A mom in Meridian, Idaho was arrested earlier today after bringing her children to a public playground, subsidized by her tax dollars, so they could play in the sunshine. Sarah Walton Brady was arrested in front of her kids and cited for trespassing, according to the Meridian Police:

After receiving several calls to Ada County Dispatch, Meridian Police responded to Kleiner Park on April 21 2020 at around 3:50PM. Upon arrival, officers saw that metal signage and caution tape announcing the playground closure due to COVID-19, was removed. Additionally, officers observed numerous individuals gathered on the closed playground area. Officers informed those gathered several times that the play structure was closed, and that they were welcome to utilize other areas of the park if they chose. After being told to leave the playground multiple times, forty (40) year old Sarah BRADY of Meridian refused to leave and was arrested for one (1) count misdemeanor trespassing.

Meridian officers made several attempts to help BRADY adhere to the rules. She was non-compliant and forced officers to place her under arrest to resolve the issue. She was arrested for trespassing.

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.

Video:

I thought Brady was pretty civil, considering. You can make the argument (some have on Twitter) that Brady pulled a stunt by disregarding the tape and signage noting the closed playground, thus deserved to be arrested, but isn’t that just making the case for her First Amendment protections? That argument is consistent however, if you also believe that refusing firearm confiscation orders in the name of the “public good” is also an arrestable offense. The argument “the city closed the playground” also doesn’t fly because as a taxpayer, Brady is part of the city. This defense also blindly justifies any action taken by the state because the state has taken it.

As I’ve written before, “the change in circumstances doesn’t reduce rights to anachronistic privileges granted only by government.” Natural rights are not predicated upon condition. To call the 5-0 because some moms took their kids to the playground is some real United States of Karen garbage. This is how you make enemies out of reasonable people. Everyone was happy to follow sensible guidelines until little tyrants across the country couldn’t resist expanding their authority.

Two additional things: First, not all cops are these cops. They are allowed discretion. The good news is that I’ve seen more stories of LEOs proclaiming they won’t enforce this nonsense than not. Second, if you’re serious about stopping the Karening of America, only being mad at police won’t do it. They’re simply enforcing the laws written by the blockheads you elected. Start there.

Idaho’s stay-at-home order expires April 30th at which point the state will shift into entering phase one of the federal reopening plan.

Quick note: Who is this dude in the video (around the four minute mark)? He’s the biggest Karen of them all. Apparently he’s someone with the parks that takes his little fiefdom thuper theriously. As he lectures the mom recording him that this is about keeping people safe, note that he isn’t wearing a face mask or gloves, and at other points in the video is seen not keeping six feet of distancing. Tsk, tsk.