Maria's fight for Justice in Canyon County
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I am setting up this fund for Maria Boutte and her daughter, to help with legal fees as they seek justice here in Canyon County, Idaho. Here's what happened:
Maria Boutte's daughter, Samantha, was hired by the Federal Census Bureau for door-knocking work. One house they were directed to visit was poorly marked and they pulled into a driveway to check the address on the mailbox. They'd been there less than a minute when a woman pulled in behind them in a large SUV, to inform them they were trespassing. Samantha showed the woman her census credentials and explained why they were there.
Maria clarified that they would be happy to leave, but the woman would need to move her SUV, so they could get out of the driveway. While waiting for the woman to let them out, a second large vehicle drove up and parked behind the woman. Now they had two vehicles trapping them at the address.
With the current vigilante militia so prominent in Idaho, my friend and her daughter were understandably frightened. They called 911 and waited for local law enforcement to arrive.
When Canyon County deputies showed up, they profiled Maria and her daughter, and went to talk to the white women who had my friends trapped. Officers did not ask for any proof of identity or property ownership from the white women, but they immediately treated Maria and her daughter as criminals. They asked for all documentation and even then, the deputy on scene tried to say that a Federal Census ID was not a valid form of identification.
The officers told Maria and her daughter that they were not suspected of any crime, but when Maria asked to be allowed to leave, the officers refused.
Even after the officers understood that Samantha was working for the federal census, Officer Chamberlain told them they were in violation of Idaho's trespassing laws. Officer Parker continued telling Samantha that she was in the wrong and the property owners had filed a complaint of trespassing, so she was under no circumstances allowed to return to the property.
When asked what would happen to the women who held them captive, Officer Chamberlain smirked and said the property owners had agreed to let the trespassers go.
Maria asked to file a complaint against the home owners, for holding them against their will, and the deputy refused to make a report.
After this experience, Samantha was too shaken and afraid to continue working for the census bureau.
This is a portion of the letter sent out to local law enforcement officers by The Federal Census Bureau:
"In carrying out their duties under Title 13 of the U.S. Code, Census employees are required to approach homes and businesses to gather information, an Inherently risky interaction that subjects the employees to potential violence. Over the years, Census employees working in communities across the nation have been victims of a variety of crimes, including robberies, carjackings, and kidnappings. During the 2010 Census, employees visited 47 million homes and were the victims of more than 700 reported acts of violence across the United States. While some of these crimes were ultimately investigated and successfully prosecuted, others were not. Additionally, it is likely that other criminal acts against Census employees may not have been reported. Together with the Office of Inspector General (OIG), a federal law enforcement agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, we seek your assistance in aiding in the detection, reporting. and prosecution of violent crimes against Census Bureau workers."
In a red state, officers apparently feel justified in enforcing the laws they like and interfering in a census that might damage their sheriff's chances of reelection.
Please help me raise funds for Maria and her daughter, to help pay for legal costs in fighting this injustice!
https://2020census.gov/content/dam/2020census/materials/partners/2020-02/law-enforcement-memo.pdf
Maria Boutte's daughter, Samantha, was hired by the Federal Census Bureau for door-knocking work. One house they were directed to visit was poorly marked and they pulled into a driveway to check the address on the mailbox. They'd been there less than a minute when a woman pulled in behind them in a large SUV, to inform them they were trespassing. Samantha showed the woman her census credentials and explained why they were there.
Maria clarified that they would be happy to leave, but the woman would need to move her SUV, so they could get out of the driveway. While waiting for the woman to let them out, a second large vehicle drove up and parked behind the woman. Now they had two vehicles trapping them at the address.
With the current vigilante militia so prominent in Idaho, my friend and her daughter were understandably frightened. They called 911 and waited for local law enforcement to arrive.
When Canyon County deputies showed up, they profiled Maria and her daughter, and went to talk to the white women who had my friends trapped. Officers did not ask for any proof of identity or property ownership from the white women, but they immediately treated Maria and her daughter as criminals. They asked for all documentation and even then, the deputy on scene tried to say that a Federal Census ID was not a valid form of identification.
The officers told Maria and her daughter that they were not suspected of any crime, but when Maria asked to be allowed to leave, the officers refused.
Even after the officers understood that Samantha was working for the federal census, Officer Chamberlain told them they were in violation of Idaho's trespassing laws. Officer Parker continued telling Samantha that she was in the wrong and the property owners had filed a complaint of trespassing, so she was under no circumstances allowed to return to the property.
When asked what would happen to the women who held them captive, Officer Chamberlain smirked and said the property owners had agreed to let the trespassers go.
Maria asked to file a complaint against the home owners, for holding them against their will, and the deputy refused to make a report.
After this experience, Samantha was too shaken and afraid to continue working for the census bureau.
This is a portion of the letter sent out to local law enforcement officers by The Federal Census Bureau:
"In carrying out their duties under Title 13 of the U.S. Code, Census employees are required to approach homes and businesses to gather information, an Inherently risky interaction that subjects the employees to potential violence. Over the years, Census employees working in communities across the nation have been victims of a variety of crimes, including robberies, carjackings, and kidnappings. During the 2010 Census, employees visited 47 million homes and were the victims of more than 700 reported acts of violence across the United States. While some of these crimes were ultimately investigated and successfully prosecuted, others were not. Additionally, it is likely that other criminal acts against Census employees may not have been reported. Together with the Office of Inspector General (OIG), a federal law enforcement agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, we seek your assistance in aiding in the detection, reporting. and prosecution of violent crimes against Census Bureau workers."
In a red state, officers apparently feel justified in enforcing the laws they like and interfering in a census that might damage their sheriff's chances of reelection.
Please help me raise funds for Maria and her daughter, to help pay for legal costs in fighting this injustice!
https://2020census.gov/content/dam/2020census/materials/partners/2020-02/law-enforcement-memo.pdf
Organizer and beneficiary
Johanna Harness
Organizer
Nampa, ID
Maria Boutte
Beneficiary