Anti-government activist Ammon Bundy shows up to son's football game forcing it to be canceled at halftime because he refuses to wear a mask or leave
An Idaho high school football game was canceled after anti-government activist Ammon Bundy refused to wear a mask or leave school grounds.
The game on Friday in Caldwell between the Emmett Huskies and Caldwell Cougars was called off after Bundy, 44, violated coronavirus health protocols, KTVB-TV reported.
The Emmett resident, whose son is a linebacker on the Huskies' team, ignored a request by school officials to wear a mask in the stands and then moved to a fence in the parking lot near the field to continue watching the game.
Anti-government activist Ammon Bundy on Friday caused his son's football game to be canceled by refusing to wear a face mask
Bundy, 44, later shared a series of videos from Caldwell High School. One clips shows the man arguing with his son's coach, saying that standing up for people's rights is more important than a football game. Police were called but refused to arrest or remove Bundy
A group of angry parents confronted Bundy on their way out of the stadium
A school principal and athletic director repeatedly asked Bundy to wear a mask and then requested that police arrest the man for trespassing, authorities said.
Officers told school officials they would not arrest or remove Bundy because he 'wasn’t out of control and didn’t appear to be a threat to anybody.'
School officials stopped the game at halftime, with Emmett leading 35-0, after Bundy refused school and police requests to leave the property, reported Idaho Statesman.
Bundy recorded a series of cellphone videos documenting his standoff with school staff.
In one video, Bundy is seen arguing back-and-forth with his son's football coach, who tries to explain to him that if the game is called and the Huskies end up forfeiting the game, they will not go to the playoffs.
The Emmett school superintendent tacitly blamed Bundy for derailing the Huskies' season
'When are you gonna stand for freedom, coach?' Bundy demands. 'Is it worth a football game? Yes, it's worth it...I'm not just doing it for my boy; I'm doing it for you and your family.'
The coach warns Bundy that his actions will harm a lot of people.
'You know what's going to harm more people? Allowing this stuff to go on,' Bundy shoots back. 'You know that, you're a history buff.'
The last comment apparently refers to Bundy's penchant for drawing comparisons between the perceived violations of rights related to the enforcement of face mask rules, and the atrocities committed by the Nazis during World War II, as well as to the treatment of African-Americans in Jim Crow South.
As angry parents were leaving the stadium on Friday evening, some confronted Bundy about his conduct.
'I will not put on a mask! I have a right not to put on a mask!' he yelled. 'You guys should be brave enough to do the same thing.'
Bundy is best known for leading a 2016 occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon along with his rancher father. He is pictured meeting with Harney County Sheriff David Ward during the 41-day standoff
Police said they planned to submit a report to the Canyon County prosecutor.
Speaking to NBC News, Bundy sounded a defiant note and expressed no regret for causing the cancellation of his son's game.
Bundy was arrested but ultimately acquitted of all federal charges by an Oregon jury
'I have a strong belief in my right to choose to wear a mask or not,' Bundy said. 'And If they think somehow there's a safety issue, then they need to section off a part of the bleachers to accommodate for those of us who believe differently than others.'
Emmett Superintendent Craig Woods later released a statement, tacitly blaming Bundy for the incident without calling him out by name.
'This is incredibly sad for the Emmett High School football team, high school and community,' she wrote. 'They were winning the game. They've been having a great season, and they've worked hard.
'We were the visitors. We should respect the host's policies and procedures. Whether you agree or not when it comes to masks, the football team should not have to suffer the consequences. I am proud of the Huskies. They did not ask for this.'
Ty Jones, executive director of the Idaho High School Activities Association, said that if it is determined that Caldwell High School officials properly enforced their rules and clearly explained them to Bundy and Emmett officials, the Cougars could be declared winners by forfeit.
Bundy was among those who pushed their way into the Idaho Statehouse chambers on August 24
This image taken from video shows Bundy, rear, being wheeled into an elevator in a chair following his arrest in Boise on August 25
Bundy is dragged and then carried from the Idaho Senate Chambers gallery by Idaho State Police after returning to the Idaho Statehouse on August 26
Bundy is best known for leading a 2016 occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon along with his rancher father, Cliven Bundy, as a show of support for state rights, planning to dissolve the federally-managed refuge.
He and others were ultimately arrested, ending the 41-day occupation. Bundy was acquitted of all federal charges by an Oregon jury.
Bundy was arrested twice in two days in August for protests at the Idaho Legislature.
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