Moscow City Officials have received ample “disturbing” phone calls and emails from across and outside of the U.S. in response to arrests made at a psalm singing event on Wednesday, according to Moscow Police Department (MPD) Chief James Fry.
Fry said he has received “almost up to 400 emails” in the past few days, some of which Fry called “very disturbing.” These messages were vulgar, and while not physically threatening, they insinuated violence, Fry said.
The calls and emails have come from almost every U.S. state, Australia and Canada, according to Fry. City officials who feel threatened and request it will be offered police protection, Fry said.
Fry said if further anti-mask protests arise over the coming weeks, MPD will act in a manner similar to last weekend.
“We’re trying to let things calm down a little bit. We don’t want to continue to keep things riled up. It’s time to keep things calm and build our community,” Fry said. The Police department’s current reaction to protest has been to keep a “presence in and around the area to make sure that it maintains a peaceful protest so that it doesn’t get out of hand.”
MPD became involved in Saturday’s protest after a physical altercation broke out. No arrests were made on the scene, according to Fry, but the City of Moscow may press charges against those involved in the altercation in the upcoming days after video evidence has been reviewed.
This article has been updated to correct formatting errors.
Cody Roberts can be reached at [email protected] or @CodyRobReports.