UPDATE: Boise State University told The Daily Wire on Thursday that despite Wilson identifying himself as a student and an associate professor at the school, he is “not a current student nor employee of the university.”
Original story:
A Black Lives Matter activist in Boise, Idaho, has been arrested in connection to a vandalized statue of former President Abraham Lincoln.
Terry Joe Wilson, 37, was arrested late Tuesday night after a warrant was issued for his arrest last week, The Idaho Statesman reported.
Wilson has identified himself online as an associate professor at Boise State University and has been described by the press as the Boise Black Lives Matter chapter spokesman.
Both physical and electronic evidence were reportedly used to identify suspects in the vandalism incident, which occurred in February.
“[T]he bronze statue of Lincoln in Julia Davis Park — known as ‘Seated Lincoln’ — vandalized with feces, paint and signs,” The Idaho Statesman reported. “Parks and recreation staff were able to clean the statue, which was not permanently damaged.”
The suspect fled from officers when he was first approached for his arrest, the Boise Police Department said. When he was tracked down, Wilson was found in possession of a firearm, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
“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,” said a press release from the department. “Wilson was taken to the hospital and was medically cleared before being booked into the Ada County Jail.”
“Wilson was charged with several misdemeanor counts, including injuring monuments, ornaments and public improvements, resisting and obstructing officers, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia,” The Idaho Statesman reported.
An account for Wilson describes himself as an associate professor at Boise State University.
On Wilson’s Instagram page, one captioned photo from November railing against “fascist Donald Tump and neoliberal Joe Biden” identifies himself as “a student & faculty” at the university. The post, which also includes support for Black Lives Matter, reads as follows:
Like the fascist @realdonaldtrump, the neoliberal @joebiden wants to increase police funding despite decades of research to support the position that police do not prevent crime. In-fact policing perpetuates crime & criminality with the support of the courts and corrections.
As a student & faculty, I take matters on campus very seriously, not only for the safety of our students, but staff and faculty.
The discussion around contemporary policing needs endless improvement, b/c the decision not to impeach current ASBSU President over concerns of anti-blackness under the guise of public safety is an absolute travesty. This is not over, as this should be taken very seriously b/c contemporary policing is a matter of public health. Therefore, shame on boisestateuniversity marlenetromp, as @angel_cantu6 should have been impeached.
Black Lives Matter❗️
#fuck12 #ACAB #ASBSU#fuckwhitesupremacy#fuckbigcitycoffee @astridwilde#blacklivesmatter #blmboise #blm#blacktranslivesmatter
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In an August 2020 report on a protest at the home of Council President Elaine Clegg, The Idaho Statesman described Wilson as the Boise Black Lives Matter chapter spokesperson.
“Activists with the Boise chapter of Black Lives Matter drew chalk figures with chalk blood on the sidewalk while demonstrating in front of Council President Elaine Clegg’s North End home,” the report said. “… They also drew what appeared to be chalk outlines generally associated with homicide investigations on the sidewalk in front of her house. The outlines had red smears over where the hearts would be.”
The report added: “Terry Wilson II, the spokesperson for the Boise chapter, said in a phone call the demonstration at Clegg’s home was because she was one of the four council members who voted to approve Mayor Lauren McLean’s 2021 budget. The 2021 budget allocates more money for the Boise Police Department, even though the overall budget decreased from 2020. … Wilson said the chapter wanted to hold Clegg accountable for her vote, which he called ‘bad policy.'”
More arrests in connection to the vandalism incident are expected to be forthcoming.