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10 ways Idahoans can fight back against the federal raid in Wilder

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Photo of rural yard with green shops in background and about 50 heavily armed federal agents in the foreground, under dramatic clouds.
Over 200 federal, state and local police dressed like soldiers raid a Sunday afternoon horse race in Wilder, Idaho on October 19, detaining over 100 spectators, including children, separating families, and terrorizing a community. (Idaho News 6 photo)

Idahoans are fighting back against the massive raid on a horse track in rural Wilder, Idaho on October 19 where hundreds of families were enjoying a day at the races. Can you imagine being at a Sunday sporting event when over 200 heavily armed federal and state police storm the venue and start grabbing and zip tying random spectators, including children?

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“The government came in full force, military-style, helicopters, drones and arrested and handcuffed, everyone … including children. No person, no Idahoan, no American should ever accept whenever a government does this to its own people.” - Leo Morales, ACLU of Idaho

YOU don't have to accept this behavior. Here are 10 things you can do now to make sure this never happens again in our state:

  1. ☎️ Call the governor and demand a full investigation: 208-334-2100; (you can also use this tool from the ACLU to write to Gov. Brad Little): Who authorized this raid on a family-friendly sporting event? What Idaho agencies or officials cooperated? Why were children and spectators detained and zip tied? Why were over 200 law enforcement needed for a small gambling investigation? Why was there such a show of force? How can Idahoans be sure that their rights to a Sunday at the track will be protected in the future?
  2. 💸 Donate to the Idaho Familias Assistance fund, set up by the ACLU of Idaho, Idaho Organization of Resource Councils, PODER, and Wrest Collective. (More ways to take action: https://linktr.ee/wildersupport.)
  3. 💻 Follow these accounts to stay informed and share verified information:
    1. ACLU of Idaho (Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook)
    2. PODER of Idaho (Instagram, Facebook)
    3. IORC (Insta)
    4. Comentario Con El Chupacabras (Facebook), KTVB en español (FB), Idaho Capital Sun, @socialistlyawkward (TikTok)
  4. 🥑 Go to Latino events and shop at Latino-owned business and support mutual aid (Emilio, Luis Angel, check out Plaza Mexico on the Boulevard in Caldwell).
  5. ✊ Protest: Follow us and the accounts above to be alerted of future actions to demand accountability and release of everyone who was illegally detained in Wilder so that families can be reunited.
    1. ICE Out of Idaho rally, 1pm, Sunday Nov. 2 at Boise City Hall
  6. 📚 Learn more about ICE and the unprecedented funding they are getting.
    1. ICE detentions out of control, from NILC.
    2. National immigrant rights groups are fighting back in court.
    3. Read ProPublica. Seriously.
  7. 🏛️ Know your rights! Order or print a red card.
  8. ✒️ Support Latinx journalists in Idaho via the Voces Internship!
  9. 📅 Take ACTION on Nov. 1-2, the Disappeared in America Weekend of Action... plan a local protest and let us know about it.
  10. 🌴Check on your neighbors. See what they need. Hug your kids. Touch grass.