"Why didn’t anyone try to stop the unidentified men who zip tied and dragged a woman out of the Idaho town hall?
Because no one prepared for this situation in this context, and no one was assigned to stop them.
Quick: what are the exact words you will say when a uniformed law enforcement officer knocks on your door and says, “Good afternoon. We don’t want to take up too much of your time. We were just checking up on your neighbor and we were wondering if you could help us.”
How do you know right then and there if they are standing on your doorstep because they were called to do a welfare check by a concerned relative or if they are there to capture and send your neighbor on a one way flight to Gitmo? How do you find out that information, and how do you respond? What if the welfare check is itself a ruse? Are you going to make things worse if you don’t cooperate?
This is what the people in the auditorium were trying to process. Who are these people, who is this woman, has she broken the law, are they breaking the law, will I be arrested for trying to help? Does she even want me to help? Will I make it worse? And crucially: if it's wrong, wouldn't others be trying to stop them?
This is why in 1964 a woman ran around outside her apartment screaming while 38 people witnessed her assault and murder. It’s called Genovese Syndrome, after this unfortunate woman. They didn’t stand by because they hated her; they just had no idea in that moment what to do, and everyone hoped someone else would act correctly.
Everyone likes to think they will do the right thing because they have the correct attitude, values, and intentions. But humans are shockingly bad at translating beliefs into action in novel periods of intense conflict and stress.
So you need to practice. Do it while you’re driving or riding to work or the store. Recite the following statements: “Am I being charged? Am I free to go?” and “I choose not to answer any questions without an attorney present.” And then practice shutting up when you are asked questions every which way. Practice asking people if they need help. Practice how to phone a hotline and an attorney.
Because the reality for most folks is that the social contract kicks in hard for encounters with authority, even dubious authority, and it can feel silly or scary to not cooperate.
YOU HAVE TO PRACTICE.
And you need to practice how you will respond in a multitude of scenarios. Write them down, say them out loud, and practice with another person.
Side note: if you are ever in the situation Dr. Borrenpohl found herself in, you have a better chance of someone intervening if you point at someone and say, “YOU! Help me!” It breaks through the Genovese Syndrome effect, and people will actually go to spontaneously courageous lengths when they know it’s their job to do so and people are witnessing them.
This isn’t to imply she was in any way at fault for not doing so, or that people should be excused for standing by when they should act. I’m simply pointing out a behavioral hack, one that you should also practice.
A lot of people will want to comment that there were malicious people in the room cheering on her assault, and that is true, too. Some people deliberately didn’t help and enjoyed watching. This is exactly why we all need to be ready to respond with reflexive aid and support, so we do not by inaction become as culpable as those who cheer on the advance of fascism."
We have to defend all women! I am practicing now, thank you.
My Mom was abused by her older brothers when she was young and I never knew until right before she died. She was very quiet woman but always told my 3 sisters and I stand up for yourself. I have and always will defend women everywhere.👩🏻🦳🙌🏻
It was a long time ago before women were taught to have a voice, in my college Us history class, in the midst of the "red scare"the professor called the campus police bc a male student would not take his assigned seat. I dropped the class.
Well stated. My generation had no help from anyone except our pack of girls. We didn't stand a chance against men who were too ignorant or insecure to be decent to women. We have gathered our will. Now we need to gather our posse when attending any event that incudes white republican men. This incident is nothing to these "big men" like the sheriff who is in retirement and had no right to say anything to that intelligent woman. Still free to have an opinion and speak out!
Gavin Newsome you has the ability to do something about injustice and it would be great PR FOR him. The incident On February 24, 2025, Norris was involved in an altercation with Teresa Borrenpohl, a woman attending the town hall meeting The ex-sheriff involved in the incident at a Republican town hall in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is Robert Norris, who currently serves as the Kootenai County Sheriff. Robert Norris is receiving disability payments from California. According to records from Transparent California, Norris currently collects $186,675.60 annually from the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA). SUE HIM FOR DISABILITY FRAUD
So very timely and excellent!!!
per Lily Starling:
"Why didn’t anyone try to stop the unidentified men who zip tied and dragged a woman out of the Idaho town hall?
Because no one prepared for this situation in this context, and no one was assigned to stop them.
Quick: what are the exact words you will say when a uniformed law enforcement officer knocks on your door and says, “Good afternoon. We don’t want to take up too much of your time. We were just checking up on your neighbor and we were wondering if you could help us.”
How do you know right then and there if they are standing on your doorstep because they were called to do a welfare check by a concerned relative or if they are there to capture and send your neighbor on a one way flight to Gitmo? How do you find out that information, and how do you respond? What if the welfare check is itself a ruse? Are you going to make things worse if you don’t cooperate?
This is what the people in the auditorium were trying to process. Who are these people, who is this woman, has she broken the law, are they breaking the law, will I be arrested for trying to help? Does she even want me to help? Will I make it worse? And crucially: if it's wrong, wouldn't others be trying to stop them?
This is why in 1964 a woman ran around outside her apartment screaming while 38 people witnessed her assault and murder. It’s called Genovese Syndrome, after this unfortunate woman. They didn’t stand by because they hated her; they just had no idea in that moment what to do, and everyone hoped someone else would act correctly.
Everyone likes to think they will do the right thing because they have the correct attitude, values, and intentions. But humans are shockingly bad at translating beliefs into action in novel periods of intense conflict and stress.
So you need to practice. Do it while you’re driving or riding to work or the store. Recite the following statements: “Am I being charged? Am I free to go?” and “I choose not to answer any questions without an attorney present.” And then practice shutting up when you are asked questions every which way. Practice asking people if they need help. Practice how to phone a hotline and an attorney.
Because the reality for most folks is that the social contract kicks in hard for encounters with authority, even dubious authority, and it can feel silly or scary to not cooperate.
YOU HAVE TO PRACTICE.
And you need to practice how you will respond in a multitude of scenarios. Write them down, say them out loud, and practice with another person.
Side note: if you are ever in the situation Dr. Borrenpohl found herself in, you have a better chance of someone intervening if you point at someone and say, “YOU! Help me!” It breaks through the Genovese Syndrome effect, and people will actually go to spontaneously courageous lengths when they know it’s their job to do so and people are witnessing them.
This isn’t to imply she was in any way at fault for not doing so, or that people should be excused for standing by when they should act. I’m simply pointing out a behavioral hack, one that you should also practice.
A lot of people will want to comment that there were malicious people in the room cheering on her assault, and that is true, too. Some people deliberately didn’t help and enjoyed watching. This is exactly why we all need to be ready to respond with reflexive aid and support, so we do not by inaction become as culpable as those who cheer on the advance of fascism."
We have to defend all women! I am practicing now, thank you.
My Mom was abused by her older brothers when she was young and I never knew until right before she died. She was very quiet woman but always told my 3 sisters and I stand up for yourself. I have and always will defend women everywhere.👩🏻🦳🙌🏻
It was a long time ago before women were taught to have a voice, in my college Us history class, in the midst of the "red scare"the professor called the campus police bc a male student would not take his assigned seat. I dropped the class.
Did I really see a man wave goodbye and a woman giving a thumbs up and another man clapping?
Well stated. My generation had no help from anyone except our pack of girls. We didn't stand a chance against men who were too ignorant or insecure to be decent to women. We have gathered our will. Now we need to gather our posse when attending any event that incudes white republican men. This incident is nothing to these "big men" like the sheriff who is in retirement and had no right to say anything to that intelligent woman. Still free to have an opinion and speak out!
Gavin Newsome you has the ability to do something about injustice and it would be great PR FOR him. The incident On February 24, 2025, Norris was involved in an altercation with Teresa Borrenpohl, a woman attending the town hall meeting The ex-sheriff involved in the incident at a Republican town hall in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is Robert Norris, who currently serves as the Kootenai County Sheriff. Robert Norris is receiving disability payments from California. According to records from Transparent California, Norris currently collects $186,675.60 annually from the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA). SUE HIM FOR DISABILITY FRAUD