An outpouring of hate and obscenity against a statue of Abraham Lincoln in a Boise, Idaho park has led to charges against a leader of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Activist Terry Joe Wilson, 37, was arrested March 23 and accused of smearing Abraham Lincoln’s statue in “poop and paint.” A warrant had been issued for his arrest last week, following the late-February vandalism of the bronze statue in Julia Davis Park, the Idaho Statesman reports.
Wilson has identified himself online as an associate professor and student at Boise State University, but the school told The Daily Wire he is “not a current student nor employee of the university.”
A statement from the Boise Police Department said that Wilson fled from officers when he was first approached, having been identified as a suspect through physical and electronic evidence.
What Dark Goals Hide Behind BLM’s Shouted Slogan?
“Officers chased after Wilson and were able to stop him and take him into custody, at which time Wilson was found to be in possession of a firearm, marijuana and drug paraphernalia,” the police statement reads. “Wilson was taken to the hospital and was medically cleared before being booked into the Ada County Jail.”
The activist was charged with misdemeanors including injuring monuments, ornaments and public improvements, resisting and obstructing officers, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also found to be in possession of a firearm.
Crews from the Parks and recreation department were able to clean the statue, which was not permanently damaged.
“At a time when our democracy is fragile, this is particularly disturbing as President Lincoln sought to keep our fractured nation together and to address the scourge of slavery — losing his life for it,” said Mayor Lauren McLean at the time of the desecration.
Boise police say the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.
