31 people arrested in Idaho for conspiracy to riot near pride parade

31 people arrested in Idaho for conspiracy to riot near pride parade

After being discovered piled into the back of a U-Haul truck with riot gear near an Idaho pride event on Saturday, authorities detained 31 members of the white supremacist group Patriot Front.

When Coeur d'Alene police stopped the U-Haul and began arresting the men on the side of the road, they were dressed in khakis, navy blue shirts, and beige hats with white balaclavas covering their faces.

At a press conference, Coeur d'Alene Police Chief Lee White remarked, "They came to riot downtown."

According to White, all 31 were charged with conspiracy to riot, a misdemeanor. According to him, the males were going through the booking process on Saturday afternoon and will be arraigned on Monday.

Authorities discovered that the gang was intending to riot in various parts of downtown, not only the park, based on evidence and documents, White said.

Inside the van, police discovered riot gear, one smoke grenade, shin guards, and shields, according to White. They had arm patches and cap emblems that identified them as Patriot Front members, he claimed.

According to White, police learned about the U-Haul from a tipter who stated "it seemed like a little army was loading everything into the car" in a hotel parking lot. Soon after, officials noticed the truck and pulled it over, he added.

The men are shown kneeling on the grass with their hands zip-tied behind their backs in videos released on social media.

On the back of one of the shirts was printed, "Reclaim America." The men were led one by one to the front of patrol cars, where they were stripped of their masks and taken to a police van.

At least 11 states were represented in the arrests, according to White, including Washington, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Colorado, South Dakota, Illinois, Wyoming, Virginia, and Arkansas.