The Rights Stuff Newsletter

Aryan Nations Trial Set to Begin

Gary Payton
In the weeks ahead, the spotlight of national media attention will again focus on North Idaho and its white supremacists.
On Monday, August 28, the trial begins in the Kootenai County courtroom of Judge Charles Hosack. Victoria Keenan and her son, Jason, are seeking monetary damages stemming from a July 1998 incident where they were allegedly shot at, chased, and assaulted by Aryan Nations' guards outside the group's Hayden Lake compound.
Representing the Keenans are Morris Dees of the Southern Poverty Law Center and Coeur d'Alene lawyers Norm Gissel and Ken Howard. Defending the Aryan Nations and Richard Butler, the 83 year old founder of the organization, is Edgar Steele of Sagle.
While the media will indeed address the specifics of the case, it is the involvement of Morris Dees against the Aryan Nations which has attracted the most attention. Over the years, Dees has successfully argued civil rights cases against racist organizations winning monetary settlements such as the $7 million judgment in 1987 which crippled a chapter of the Ku Klux Klan in Mobile, Alabama. It is the expectation that Dees might again win a major suit against a racist group like the Aryan Nations that will attract the largest coverage.
The strain of the pending case may already be showing. On the Aryan Nations' website, Butler asserts the "costs of defending against a 'contrived' trial brought solely for the purpose of bankrupting a small Christian organization are enormousÖ" Claiming the costs have "overwhelmed us," Butler has asked for financial help from his supporters to "expose the fraud on our Race perpetrated by Morris Dees SPLC and the Marxist anti-Christ, anti White Jewish cabal."
As the trial unfolds, I urge you to make it the topic of conversation with your family, with your children, with your friends and coworkers. Education has long been a major component of the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force.
By discussing the case, its merits and weaknesses, and its implications we may further inform ourselves and others of the full impact of hatespeak, and we will find new energy to reshape the image of our north country to a place where diversity is welcomed and respect for human dignity is the norm.
You can learn more about the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Aryan Nations by visiting their websites at www.splcenter.org and
www.christian-aryannations.com.

Brenda Hammond
The Task Force is do-sponsoring, along with the East Bonner County Library, a Fall book discussion series on the theme, "Other Americas."
There will be multiple copies of the selected titles available as well as scholars to visit each discussion session.
The schedule for the discussions will be: September 12: Their Eyes Were Watching God
September 26: In the Heart of the Valley of Love
October 10: Love Medicine
October 24: Bless Me, Ultima
November 7: Invisible Man
These dates fall on alternate Tuesdays, and the discussions will be held in the Library meeting room at 7:00 p.m.
The books are expected to arrive around the middle of August. You may call the library to sign up for the series at 263-6930.
The Rights Stuff

Gretchen Albrecht-Hellar
Those of us who were fortunate enough to know Bob Ward realize that we had an opportunity to associate with an individual who possessed and shared unique gifts. Not only was he an outstanding gardener, a person who loved nature and manifested that love through his service to the animal shelter, the Native Plant Society, and the Master Gardener Program, but he was also an avid advocate for the dignity of all living things. I, personally, remember him as one of the best read individuals I ever knew and as a person who believed in the power of knowledge and education.
I once asked him for suggested readings on a rather esoteric subject; he responded with a bibliography of at least 15 publications. I am sure he believed in the validity of knowledge for knowledge's sake but even more strongly believed that knowledge shared was a special and unique gift to his community.
His tragic death in 1999 left an empty spot on our hearts and was a great loss to our community. To honor his commitment to human dignity and his belief in the power of books the Task Force has established the BOB WARD MEMORIAL BOOK FUND FOR HUMAN RIGHTS LITERATURE. Every cent contributed to this fund will be used to expand the availability of title and videos dealing with all aspects of human dignity in our community.
Can you think of a better way of honoring the birth of a child, the memory of a loved one, or celebrating an important event in your life than by reinforcing that which in best in our community-compassion and a sense that we are in the truest sense a community? Knowledge leads to empowerment. People who feel personally empowered do not need to denigrate others. Join us in honoring a man who represented the best in all of us.
Please consider a contribution to this fund!
Bob Ward Memorial Book Fund
Gretchen Albrecht-Hellar
Melting crepe paper, water logged signs, and wet feet did not affect the enthusiasm of the folks who marched with the Task Force in the Fourth of July parade. In some ways, it reinforced our commitment to standing up for what we all believe. And we were joined by nearly fifty other citizens who marched behind the banner "Building a Better Community". Thanks to Jim Akers who allowed us to use his truck and to Jenny Campbell and Gretchen Hellar who decorated the truck. And a special thanks to Katie Akers who organized the whole event.
We all were cheered by the community's response as we paraded by. Next year we will also participate and encourage you to join us. Not only is it important to be a visible presence in the community but also you meet the " nicest people" when you associate with human rights advocates.
March next year and find that out!

John Anderson
The Kalispel Reservation Powwow, which takes place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday August 4-6. My wife Jill and I will be leading a car caravan to the powwow on Saturday morning at 9:00. We will meet at city beach parking lot, and leave as a group, stopping once or twice at known Kalispel sites of interest.
This is a family event, and everyone is welcome. It takes place in the powwow arena on the Kalispel Reservation which is located a short distance west of Newport, Washington. People who want to go on their own should cross at the Usk bridge and take a left. The arena is reached immediately after the blue roofed church and tribal headquarters a few miles from the bridge. The tribal buffalo herd can be seen grazing in front of the arena.
A buffalo lunch is served to visitors, for a very reasonable fee. It begins around 11:00 or so, and the Grand Entry takes place around 1:00. People can stay as long as they like, including right into the night if they prefer.


July, 2000
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