Idaho woman arrested for trespassing in park, accused of violating city order
04/23/2020 12:06 pm PDT
via KBOI:
MERIDIAN, Idaho (KBOI) -- A Meridian woman was arrested Tuesday after police say she was violating city orders by trespassing on closed city playground equipment at Kleiner Park.
Sara Brady, 40, was arrested and charged with one count of misdemeanor trespassing.
"I feel like I was singled out because I was the only person that was arrested," Brady said. "I wasn't the only person standing on the park. I definitely wasn't playing on the playground equipment. I wasn't swinging, never touched them. But yeah, I do feel like I was singled out and maybe it was because I asked too many questions."
The playground was wrapped with caution tape and signage announcing the playground was closed due to COVID-19. Officers said they informed several people gathered on the closed playground equipment that they could move to the other areas of the park.
Meridian officers say they made several attempts to help Brady adhere to the rules and that she was not complying with the requests.
VIDEO: Anti-vaccination activist arrested at Kleiner Memorial Park - East Idaho News
"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," MPD said.
TRUE CRIME DAILY: Coronavirus-related crime coverage - TCD
On March 23, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the city of Meridian closed city playgrounds and outdoor exercise equipment, while allowing walking paths to remain open, East Idaho News reports.
Brady is an activist for parental medical rights at the Idaho Statehouse, according to East Idaho News, and she runs Idahoans for Vaccine Freedom, a Facebook group, and has been outspoken in the past about parental rights and government-imposed restrictions.
MORE:
