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Health Freedom Idaho
AbbreviationHFI
Formation2015
Founder
  • blank
  • blank
PurposeAnti-vaccination group
Region
Idaho
Official language
English
Executive Director
Miste Gardner-Karlfeldt
Executive Director
Sarah Clendenon
This article is part of a series on
Alternative medicine
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Controversies
Classifications
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Health Freedom Idaho is a grassroots health freedom organization dedicated to preserving the freedom of choice for health care decisions of all individuals, preserving parental rights, defending natural rights, and protecting citizens' access to toxin-free living in the great state of Idaho. [1] They believe that mandates for medical procedures have no place in a free society supporting individuals' freedom to make medical choices for their families with informed consent. Concerns about mask requirements[2], restrictions on the operation of businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic[3], and vaccine mandates for employment[4] and other COVID pandemic reactions have the organization leaders, volunteers and members attending and speaking out at events across the state. Founded in May 2015, the organization describes its mission as including "preserv[ing] our freedoms regarding the health care of our choice." While the group's activities have mainly taken place in the Boise area, the organization has a northern chapter hosting several educational events in 2020-2021.[5]

Leadership

As of 2021, the organization as a long standing executive board and was headed by co-executive directors Miste Gardner Karlfeldt and Sarah Clendenon.[1][2][3][4]

Faith healing

Health Freedom Idaho has opposed the changing of Idaho state laws regarding children and faith healing.[5][6][7][8] On October 3, 2016, several Health Freedom Idaho members attended a meeting of the Children at Risk of Faith Healing working group to provide testimony against changing the laws under discussion.[5][6] The working group included state legislators and was formed at the request of then-governor Butch Otter to examine laws that exempt parents from the requirement to seek emergency medical care for a child in the case of a health emergency if they instead attempt to use faith healing.[7][6][8] In the five years prior to the hearing, there were several cases of children dying in such circumstances.[6] The working group ultimately opted not to submit a recommendation to the Idaho Legislature on whether or not to change the laws.[8]

Anti-vaccination views

Heath Freedom Idaho are frequently described in the media as an anti-vaccination group and have had anti-vaccination materials on their website, although they have stated that they are not an anti-vaccination group.[4][9][10][11][3]

In November 2016, the group's blog posted a false claim, originating with a flawed 2013 study, that the flu shot increases risk of fetal death.[12] The claim is contradicted by the bulk of research on miscarriage and the flu shot and the post was rated False by Politifact.[12] This post would go on to circulate widely on Politifact in 2019.[12]

During Idaho's 2017 legislative session, Health Freedom Idaho advocated a bill at the state level that would allow parents to provide a letter written by the parent to exempt their child from vaccination requirements rather than using a school-provided form to do so.[11] Some anti-vaccination activists, including Health Freedom Idaho's Sarah Walton-Brady, opposed the use of school forms that included a field for parents to acknowledge that “I am aware that my child may contract a vaccine-preventable disease.”[13] The bill died without receiving a hearing in the Senate.[11] In January 2018, an Idaho Senate panel introduced a bill similar to the 2017 bill with the support of Health Freedom Idaho, which never received a hearing.[14]

In 2019, Heath Freedom Idaho opposed a new state administrative rule requiring students entering 12th grade to get a meningitis booster shot.[15] The rule was ultimately adopted.[15]

Health Freedom Idaho has organized, co-organized, and participated in several protests of health measures taken by the Idaho state government and the City of Boise in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These have included protests of the stay-home order issued by governor Brad Little in April 2020, of mask orders issued by the City of Boise, and of emergency legislation considered by the state legislature related to mail-in voting and protection from COVID-19 related liability for businesses and government bodies.[16][3][4][17][18][19][20][21] They also organized a demonstration at a hospital in protest of the hospital's decision to require staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19.[22]

They co-organized these protests with a range of other organizations including the Idaho Freedom Foundation, the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance, Ammon Bundy and his supporters, and the John Birch Society.[3][23][24][9][16] These events featured speakers including Washington State Representative Matt Shea, Idaho State Representative Heather Scott, and Ammon Bundy.[25][26][18]

Some protests included demonstrations outside the homes of officials, such as those of governor Brad Little, the health officials participating in a Central District Health meeting, and a police officer who arrested former Health Freedom Idaho member Sarah Walton Brady for refusing to leave a park that was closed due to the pandemic.[4][27][28][29] Other locations of demonstrations included the Idaho State Capitol, outside the Boise City Hall, and a park.[9][19][17]

Some demonstrations included setting a fire in which masks were burned, and the open carrying of firearms was noted at some protests.[19][30][21][31][23][25][3]

One of the more distinctive demonstrations was a self-styled special legislative session called by Health Freedom Idaho and other organizers in opposition to the governor's response to the pandemic.[9]

Another notable protest occurred on August 24, 2020, at the Idaho State Capitol. The demonstration garnered national media attention after participants broke a glass door and entered an area of the House Gallery reserved for legislators with health concerns. Health Freedom Idaho members heckled legislators and several were arrested.[16][3] Some participants carried weapons while participating in this protest of a special legislative session to consider bills on early voting and shielding businesses and government bodies from legal liability related to COVID-19.[16][3]

Health Freedom Idaho's executive director also urged group members to participate in a protest of Biden's visit to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise on September 13, 2021, a demonstration was on behalf of several causes, including opposition to the vaccine mandate announced by President Biden the previous week.[32]

See also

References

  1. ^ Parris, Joe (October 15, 2018). "CDC report shows that Idaho kindergartners have lower vaccination rates". KTVB 7. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; November 3, 2018 suggested (help)
  2. ^ Bustillo, Ximena; Brown, Ruth (22 April 2020). "UPDATE: Anti-vaccination Idaho activist arrested after group gathers at closed playground". East Idaho News. Idaho Statesman. Archived from the original on April 5, 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; April 6, 2021 suggested (help)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Ames, Michael (December 21, 2020). "How Ammon Bundy Helped Foment an Anti-Masker Rebellion in Idaho". Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2021. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; March 28, 2021 suggested (help)
  4. ^ a b c d Simmons, Tommy (April 7, 2020). "Ammon Bundy, health freedom group organize events to protest stay-home order". Idaho Press. Archived from the original on March 29, 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  5. ^ a b Dentzer, Bill (October 10, 2016). "Idaho lawmakers finish faith-healing review, won't make recommendations". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d Russell, Betsy Z. (October 10, 2016). "Dozens offer emotional testimony for and against Idaho's faith-healing laws". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on May 5, 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  7. ^ a b Brown, Ruth (October 10, 2016). "Residents remain divided on faith healing rights". Idaho Press. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; April 22, 2021 suggested (help)
  8. ^ a b c Brown, Ruth. "Idaho panel punts on faith-healing". Idaho State Journal. Archived from the original on May 5, 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  9. ^ a b c d Richert, Kevin (June 22, 2020). "Little's critics organize 'special session' of Legislature. But will it even be a session?". Idaho Ed News. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2021. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; April 3, 2021 suggested (help)
  10. ^ "Pandemic backlash drives exodus of public health leaders". PBS News Hour. December 17, 2020. Archived from the original on April 4, 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; April 5, 2021 suggested (help)
  11. ^ a b c Webb, Anna (September 11, 2017). "She fought West Ada over her son's vaccination exemption. Now she wants an apology". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  12. ^ a b c Funke, Daniel. "Instagram post falsely says flu shot causes fetal death". Politifact. The Poynter Institute. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; March 1, 2021 suggested (help)
  13. ^ Brown, Nathan (February 24, 2017). "Health and Welfare proposes new vaccine opt-out form". MagicValley.com. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  14. ^ Tomtas, Justyna. "Idaho Has High Rate of Vaccination-Exempted Students". usnews.com. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  15. ^ a b Brown, Nathan (January 11, 2019). "By 1 vote, House panel backs new meningitis vaccine mandate". Idaho State Journal. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  16. ^ a b c d Russel, Betsy (December 17, 2020). "Idahoans with disabilities raise legal concerns about plans for upcoming legislative session". KTVB 7. The Idaho Press. Archived from the original on March 30, 2021. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; March 31, 2021 suggested (help)
  17. ^ a b King, Jake (May 2, 2020). "Protesters voice support for full reopening of economy at Saturday rally". Idaho Press. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; December 29, 2020 suggested (help)
  18. ^ a b "Angry protests, baby face shields, cautious planning: News from around our 50 states". USA TODAY Network and wire reports. April 20, 2020. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; April 30, 2020 suggested (help)
  19. ^ a b c Biefeldt, Chase (July 3, 2020). "As Boise hands out face masks for Mayor McLean's health order, protesters say it encroaches on their freedom". KTVB 7. Archived from the original on April 4, 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; April 21, 2021 suggested (help)
  20. ^ CBS2 News Staff. "Health Freedom Idaho protests Boise's mandatory mask order". 2 Idaho News. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; August 16, 2021 suggested (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ a b Boone, Rebecca (July 7, 2020). "Cases of coronavirus in Idaho spike after businesses reopen". Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; December 31, 2020 suggested (help)
  22. ^ Coronado, Ricardo (July 20, 2021). "Protest held in Meridian over COVID-19 vaccine requirement at local health systems". Idaho News 6. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  23. ^ a b Bustillo, Ximena (April 17, 2020). "Hundreds rally at Idaho Capitol to protest Gov. Little's stay-home order". East Idaho News. Idaho Statesman. Archived from the original on April 4, 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; April 5, 2021 suggested (help)
  24. ^ Sewell CYNTHIA SEWELL, Cynthia (April 16, 2020). "Conservative groups plan to violate stay-home order with Friday protest at Idaho Capitol". Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  25. ^ a b Northrup, Craig (June 10, 2020). "'Something to think about'". Coeur d'Alene/Post Falls Press. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  26. ^ Fay, Trevor (June 25, 2020). "Health Freedom Idaho on COVID-19: 'individuals should have the right to choose'". 2 Idaho News. Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  27. ^ Gostanian, Ali (December 9, 2020). "Idaho health board ends meeting after protests outside site, members' homes". NBC News. Archived from the original on March 28, 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  28. ^ Boone, Rebecca (December 8, 2020). "Idaho health board meeting halted after 'intense protests'". ABC News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 28, 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  29. ^ Walters, Daniel; Criscione, Wilson. "While Washington state forges alliances, Idaho battles the coronavirus its own way". Inlander. Archived from the original on April 7, 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; April 8, 2021 suggested (help)
  30. ^ Carmel, Margaret (July 8, 2020). "Criticism of Boise Mayor McLean from Treasure Valley conservatives mounts". Idaho Press. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2021. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; April 1, 2021 suggested (help)
  31. ^ "Group to protest Boise mask order: 'Don't be bullied into wearing a mask!'". CBS 2 Idaho News. July 2, 2020. Archived from the original on April 5, 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2021. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; April 6, 2021 suggested (help)
  32. ^ Ridler, Keith; Boone, Rebecca (September 13, 2021). "About 1,000 protest President Joe Biden's visit to Idaho". AP. AP. Retrieved 25 September 2021.

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