Annual Meeting and 2022 Review 

President’s Report --- Annual Meeting – March 13, 2023

 

We celebrated our 30th Anniversary last year – so this was Year 31 for the BCHRTF. This report makes it evident that this has been our busiest year so far. When the Task Force was founded, it was with the hope that someday we would become obsolete—divisions would be bridged; and respect for others regardless of race, gender, sexual identity would increase. We weren’t foreseeing that new divisions—on the basis of political identity – would render our community more divided than ever in 2022. However, this was a year in which our partnerships with other community organizations have been strengthened. 

In January, we offered a Community Read of the book “Caste,” by Isabel Wilkerson. Due to our collaboration with the Library, people were able to participate in person or via Zoom. Seven sessions began on Jan. 25, launched by Dr. Anne Masai.

The TF also helped to sponsor the “Pro-Voice” Project, created by Jen Quintano that featured a theatrical presentation of women’s stories about reproduction.

In February, in collaboration with the Panida Theater, the movie Te Ata, was shown—to honor indigenous people of our region. A presentation by Dan Menamkin from the Nez Perce and Colville tribes preceded the film.

Also, Evans Brothers Coffee created a “Love” blend, and offered the BCHRTF a percentage of the proceeds from all sales of that blend during the month of February. The Task Force received $1,119  as a donation from Evans Brothers.

There were a number of bills, in the Idaho Legislature, of concern--from a human rights perspective. HB 475 sought to eliminate the Idaho statute that makes unregulated militias illegal. Fortunately, although it passed the House, it went to the Senate and died in committee. Also defeated was HB 675. This would have made assisting a minor with any gender affirming medical care a felony.

In March, the TF was contacted by a young woman from the high school who was concerned about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We then organized  a weekly vigil of individuals holding signs and Ukrainian flags to demonstrate our solidarity with the people of Ukraine. These vigils are still taking place, every Sunday at 1 pm—and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

The BCHRTF also connected with the Ukraine Resource Coalition, a group of churches in Spokane, and donated $1000 to help refugees from Ukraine who have relocated to Spokane. We also began working with the First Presbyterian church to organize a Ukrainian dinner to raise more funds for helping the refugees.

In April, the BCHRTF was the recipient of a generous grant from the KCTFHR to help fund a series of “Leadership for an Inclusive Sandpoint” workshops. The goal of this initiative is to help develop community leaders who will work together to create more awareness and inclusivity in our community. 

A group of Task Force members attended the Davis Bluff Fun Day—sponsored by the Kalispel tribe. They brought food and games to contribute to this event, and had an opportunity to interact with their members.

In May, the Task Force awarded four scholarships—three to students at SHS and one to a Clark Fork student.

The Farmer’s Market opened in May. We were able to have a table most of the time—to talk to people about what we do, to answer questions—and often, to enroll new members. Our presence at the Farmer’s Market has increased our membership more than anything else. Our membership is now at approximately 650-- and it had been close to 300 before we started this consistent presence at the Farmer’s Market.

Our first “Leadership for an Inclusive Sandpoint” workshop was held at the First Presbyterian Church on May 13 & 14. Twenty-seven people attended—and a great deal of enthusiasm was generated for envisioning ways to work together to make our community a kinder and safer place to be.

Grants were awarded in May in the amount of $18, 882 to 13 community organizations: Bonner Partners in Care Clinic; Community Cancer Services; CASA; Food for Children; Music Bridges Borders; Sandpoint Music Conservatory; Better Together Animal Alliance; KRFY; the Panida Theater; OIAC; Priest River Ministries; Sandpoint Youth Center and Unique Center for Athletes of all Needs.

In June, the BCHRTF was selected by Schweitzer to participate in their Community Day opening of the summer season. We had a table with information and activities, and were the recipients of all of the proceeds from chair-lift rides on that day. Although the weather was cold and rainy, and attendance was lower than it would have been on a sunny day, the TF received $2300 as a donation from Schweitzer.

In Coeur d’Alene, at the Pride in the Park event, a U-Haul full of 31 men who were intending to disrupt that celebration, were arrested. 

On July 15, BCHRTF celebrated its 30th anniversary at the outside venue at Matchwood Brewery. About 150 people enjoyed painting rocks, a silent auction, lots of live music and food and drink from Matchwood. We talked about the history of the TF, as well as challenges for the future. Newly designed T-shirts were on sale. A book written by the daughter of a member of the Aryan Nations was launched. Her book “Torn” told her personal story. The atmosphere was relaxed and positive—and $2400 was raised.

We planned our celebration to be a “sister” event to the Sandpoint Pridefest which occurred the next day at the same venue. The TF had a table there. Great  pains were taken to make it possible to have a peaceful and positive atmosphere there as well—with temporary fencing around the granary property—and the watchful presence of local law enforcement. We owe great thanks to Matchwood for providing the temporary fencing, which was also up the day before for our event,  and to the Sandpoint police.

On July 22, the Ukrainian Dinner fundraiser took place outdoors at the First Presbyterian Church. It was also well attended, and $3000 was raised. It was used to purchase bus passes and small appliances to help families cook in the apartments where they were staying in Spokane.

In August, Barbara Russell brought the PowerPoint presentation the Boundary County Task Force made about the various White Nationalist groups active in this region to show to the Board. They continue to update it with new information.

On August 19 & 20,  the second “Leadership for an Inclusive Sandpoint” workshop was held – this time at the First Lutheran Church. About the same number of people attended. About half of them were new, the other half attended the first workshop. Two more workshops are planned.

On September 15,  the film “McFarland USA” was shown at the Panida—another free film—this one honoring Hispanic Heritage Month. It was introduced by Music Bridges Borders who showed slides of the students from Mexico and from Sandpoint performing together.

Each September, the BCHRTF joins other groups and individuals around the world for “100,000 Poets for Change.” This time it was held in the outdoor Peace Garden at the First Presbyterian Church. Approximately 30- 35 people participated and read original or favorite poems about positive change.

Also in September, representatives from the Board attended a meeting in Coeur d’Alene hosted by a CDA police captain, which was called by the US Attorney for Idaho. Also present were Assistant US attorneys from CDA, the FBI, professors from Law Schools in this area as well as representatives from other regional task forces. This meeting was to precede a conference to launch, in North Idaho,  a “United Against Hate” initiative.  These conferences will be happening all around the country as a result of President Biden’s Summit on Hate held at the White House. 

In October, the BCHRTF, printed updated brochures, featuring our new logo and updated information.

The TF helped sponsor the annual NAMI Walk to support those challenged by mental illness and their families.

On November 9, Travis McAdam, the Project Director from the Montana Human Rights Network, gave a presentation on, “Building Community in Difficult Times.” It summarized the challenges being faced throughout this region – of the influence of White Nationalist or Christian Patriot groups who are trying to spread their influence by a variety of means. These included bullying and intimidation, but more specifically taking control of local boards and political offices. This presentation was attended by close to 100 people.

The ”United Against Hate” conference was held in Plummer at the CDA Casino and hosted by the US Attorney’s office and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. Several hundred people from different communities in North Idaho attended. Members of the BCHRTF Board attended and will help spread the message that it is important to report all instances prompted by hate, whether or not they rise to the level of criminal activity.

The second Community Read, in collaboration with the East Bonner County Library, was launched in December. It included two books – “I Never Thought of it That Way,” by Monica Guzman and “Between the Listening and the Telling,” by Mark Yaconelli. Once again people had the choice of attending in person at the library or attending through Zoom. Over 20 people participated in reading and discussing these books.  Both focus on ways to bring people together and help them listen to and understand each other despite differing views.

Throughout this entire year, the BCHRTF has continued to meet at least monthly with other human rights groups in the region – the Task Forces in
Boundary, Kootenai and Latah counties, Spokane county and the Montana Human Rights Network. We share information about activity in our own communities and we also to support and encourage each other in our work.

Also, throughout the year, with leadership from the Kootenai County Task Force, we have spoken up with a united voice against the actions of the Board of Trustees of North Idaho College. Their actions have brought the college to the point of possibly losing their accreditation unless they change these actions to comply with the requirements of the Northwest Accreditation Commission.

As you can see—there has been no lull in the activities of the BCHRTF.

With the issues being raised, once again, in the Idaho Legislature, it appears that there will be no less of a demand going into 2023 on the Task Force and in the work in which it must be engaged.

A bill similar to the Militia bill, that didn’t make it through last year, looks likely to pass. As do restrictions on voting rights, the ability of citizens to propose legislative Initiatives, laws that limit medical care for women and individuals needing gender affirming medical treatment, cutting funding for public schools, and threatening library employees with criminal charges for checking out books deemed unsuitable by fundamentalist ideology.

We must stand together against the efforts of “Christian Patriots” to “protect” us from ourselves, and against those who would dictate what we can and cannot do in the name of “freedom.”