Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations Scrapbooks 2014

SECTION B I SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2014

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HISTORIC PHOTOS AROUND SPOKANE ARE COMPARED TO TODAY

CdA gets 'eye-opening' report on bullying among students Slurs, harassment common in schools, expe1t says

By Scott Maben scottm@spokesman.com, (208) 758-0260

Coeur d'Alene school leaders are getting a glimpse of how cruelly some students treat each other, including sexual harassment, racial bias, religious intolerance, gaybashing and badgering kids who are overweight, poor or disabled.

In a new report prefaced with a warning of offensive language, bullying expert Steve Wessler shares details of candid meetings

he held with almost 300 middle school and high school students last fall.

The 14-page report released Friday presents raw anecdotes of bad behavior, from vicious name-calling to physical attacks. "A number of these incidents appear to involve criminal sexual assault or physical assault," Wessler noted.

The consultant from Maine has done similar work in schools around the world and cautioned local officials about the gravity of

what might surface in his investigation, Superintendent Matt Handelman said Saturday.

"There were certainly things that were eye-opening, but I can't say I was surprised by it," Handelman said.

Some of the most troubling details, he said, involve boys groping girls and other demeaning conduct.

"I would see guys grab girls' See BULL YING, 82

Public talk Bullying expert Steve Wessler will speak Wednesday on bias, harassment, bullying, discrimination and violence in schools at 7 p.m. at the Kroc Center in Coeur d'Alene. The public program is presented by the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations.

BULLYING

Continued from Bl butts, boobs and everything," one high school student told Wessler. "It makes you feel degraded, put down and like you are just a piece of meat."

A middle school student said, "A boy hugged me from behind. He slid his hands towards my crotch. I tried to wiggle out of his arms but he was holding me so hard I couldn't get him off."

Handelman said he already has spoken with Coeur d'Alene police about coordinating a more vigorous effort to address sexual harassment in the schools.

"First we need to know about it, and then we need to respond accordingly," he said.

Wessler met last October with students in focus groups at the district's three middle schools and two high schools. He also met with parents, teachers, principals and school-based police officers.

Students described a wide variety of degrading language, harassment and bullying they have experienced or witnessed.

"The boys say you are such a slut and bitch, go kill yourself, skank ..." one gave as an example.

Use of racial slurs, stereotypes and jokes is high in both middle and high schools, Wessler found. Students said they frequently hear slurs about black people, Asians and Hispanics. Out of 96 middle school students in the focus groups, 81 said they had heard white students using a racial slur referring to African-Americans.

One student of color wrote, ''I fake being sick som~times just so I don't have to hear those words."

Some said they also hear jokes and stereotypes about religion, especially Judaism. "Students give the Nazi salute,"

one said.

Students with disabilities also are subjected to humiliation. "Mentally disabled kids are urged by some of the football players and popular kids to do funny things like dance or tell stories that exploit their disability," one high school student said.

Degrading messages using social media are a particularly serious problem among girls, they told Wessler. Students have seen messages such as "go kill yourself' and "go to hell" along with demeaning names, his report said.

Some said they knew of kids who had cut their wrists after being subjected to bullying.

As grim as the report is, there is reason to be optimistic, Wessler said. Students are speaking up for respect and civility and intervening on behalf of classmates, he found. And they told hin1 about teachers. who address bias, harassment and bullying.

Wessler will present his findings to the school board Monday night and this week will begin helping the Coeur d'Alene School District take steps to address problems raised in his report. Handelman said he hopes the district can decide by the end of this school year what direction anti-bullying efforts will take starting next fall.

The district has made other changes in the past year to ta<;kle the issues, including adopting clearer, stronger policies prohibiting bullying and harassment.

The district also streamlined bullying education in the elementary schools and began a pilot project for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program at Woodland Middle School this year.

The district won't be able to stamp out bullying, but it can change the culture in schools, Handelman said.

"We want to keep improving. That's the bottom line," he said.

DAVE OLIVERIA

Coffe~ pastry and the topic ofyour choice HUCKLEBERRIES

N

o;m Gissel, the Coeur d ~1:ne human-rights act1V1st and bulldog attorney who helped tak d the Ary . e own an Nations, has an offer you can't refuse: Join him for coffee at 8 Friday mornings at Java on Sherman in downtown J_oeur d'Alene. He's ready to iscuss a variety of issues H~an rights, of course. ¡ Politics. History. Art. Current ~~ents. Great books. You n~e You might ask him how he and I ~oded up in the Washington prison at Walla Walla one day listening to Coeur d'~ene Realtor Marshall M~nd recite bad poetry: "Two prisoners looked through th bars. One ,,saw bricks¡ The o the er Saw Stars. 0 r something lik thfatht. We ~ere lucky to get o~t o ere alive.

Hold 'em. close - ... -.. .. .

SUPER SEAHAWKS! Seattle crushes Denver, wins first championship in franchise history Sports/ B1

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Monday February 3, 2014

Speech on combating discrimination, bullying set for Wednesday COEUR d'ALENE - An internationally recognized expert on combating discrimination and bullying will be speaking at the Kroc Center in Coeur d'Alene on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Stephen Wessler served as an assistant attorney general in Maine and then established and

served as the director of U1e Center for Preventing Hate. In Maine, Wessler developed the "Unity Project," which works to find effective ways to combat bullying and creating an environment where every child is safe.

This year Wessler and the "Unity Project" are working

in the Coeur d'Alene School District.

"We are very fortunate to be able to partner with our co-sponsors along with the 271 Board of Trustees, administrators, faculty, staff and public to address the issue of bullying in our schools," said Christie Wood, president of

the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations Board of Directors.

Wessler's speech, entitled "Bias, Harassment, Bullying, Discrimination and Violence in U.S. Schools: 111e Impact on Children and a Path to Prevention," is free to the public.

The Press, Tuesday, February 4, 2014

SECTION

C Fighting violence with peace It gets to me every time. In case you missed it shortly before the Super Bowl, NFL players and politicians again recited the Declaration of Independence this year, lin&by-line reminders of its vital import.

The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, which celebrates its 33rd birthday this week, shares its founding principles: "(It is a) self-evident Sholeh truth that Patrick all persons are er& ated equal.

We believe that the dignity of each human being is inviolable." (ldahohumanrights.org)

Bullying - that sad psychological need to demean others in order to feel better about oneself - takes all forms: simple exclusion (is exclusion ever simple?), words, and all levels of violence; children on playgrounds, businesses and employees, pedestrians on sid& walks, even homes. When law protects bullies or government watches idly, the resulting society is no place for anyone to live, as history proves time and again.

In the first week of February 1981, a small group met at the First Christian Church in Coeur cl'Alene to discuss concerns over separate acts oi bullying against a Jewish restaurant owner and a bi-racial family. Local resident Dina Tanners organized the meeting. She is now known as the mother of the Task Force.

She knew that evil triumphs when good men do nothing.

Over the next three decades, KCTFHR worked diligently and made impressive history. In the early days and through the 1990s, they lobbied officials to pass a series of crirninal laws to combat hate crimes in Idaho, laws now fundamental to and actively used in prosecution throughout the state.

Just last year they worked with cities to pass antidiscrimination ordinances see PATRICK, C12

PATRICK from C1

which served as impetus to more around the state.

Throughout, KCfFHR continues to aid victims of prejudice in hate crimes, employment, and all kinds of discrimination, and other forms of bullying.

Sometimes aid rises to facilitating legal needs, such as the infamous .case in 1998 against the Aryan Nations (with tireless volunteer attorney and then-board member Norm Gissel), effectively destroying the group's Hayden compound in 2000 via bankruptcy. Gissel had also assisted the FBI in solving 1986 bombings in Coeur d'Alene and Spokane. A couple of years earlier, founding Task Force member Larry Broadbent di&covered 'The Order'' (and informed the FBI); his efforts helped bring down a murdering, robbing, violent gang considered the most violent domestic terrorist group in the U.S. at the time.

So that's history; how about now?

They have long been close partners with North Idaho College and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, as well as many others to offer scholarships and other programs, seminars, celebrations and both direct and indirect aid to oppressed groups and individuals. Their 21-member board includes 12 seats designated for the

Coeur d'Alene Tribe and local government, law enforcement, and chamber of commerce; plus various ethnic, religious, and other minorities.

Human rights can not be achieved alone. Mutual reliance is the very heart of their work, and the essence of man's survival.

Wednesday's upcoming presentation by internationally known anti-di&crimination expert Stephen Wessler highlights their current focus. Speaking at the Kroc Center at 7 p.m., the former assistant attorney general for Maine will speak about bullying, its harmful effects on children, the roles of bias and discrimination, and how to address them. KCfFHR and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, with additional funding by Kootenai Electric Trust, are actively working with area schools to help staff and students understand and cope with bullying in schools (which often begins at home).

This work may be the most important. No man is free until all are free; a thriving democratic society isn't possible without it. We have aâ&#x20AC;˘long way to go.

Laws are basic, yes. But more lasting are their foundations in human thought - beginning with children.

It is they who will determine our direction. Forks in the road remain ahead; will they continue down this path paved with fear, or will they take the leS&traveled, the one which

meets anger and hate with open arms, multiple viewpoints, and forgiveness?

KCTFHR has met organized demonstrations of prejudice with grace.

"Lemons to Lemonade" raised thousands of dollars during a racist parade; press conferences, mailings, and speakers ended a mass mailing campaign of hate literature and later, a rally. These peaceful responses even after members have endured anger and violence, including bombings and attacks on themselves and their homes, show they ''walk the talk." It takes enduring strength to fight the weaker, more common urge to take an eye for an eye (and leave the world blind).

The committed use of non-violence to combat violence puts KCTFHR in good company. Gandhi said, "Non-violence is not inaction. It is not for the timid or weak ... It is hard work. It is the willingness to sacrifice, and the patience to win."

Winning is not in doubt; only the time required. To learn more of this labor of patience call (208) 765-3932 or visit Idahohumanrights.org.

Sincere thanks to board member Tony Stewart for his help gathering information for this column.

Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network who knows firsthand the effects of bullying and prejudice, and the importance of peaceful response. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.

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Tuesday February 4, 20 J4

Bullying expert finds hope Wessler sees courage,einpathy in area schools

By MAUREEN DOLAN

Staff writer COEUR d'ALENE -

Bullying and bad behavior weren't the only things Stephen Wessler found in Coeur d'Alene's public schools.

The hate ctimes and discrimination prevention exper t also found courage and empathy, two things that provide hope that the district's social ills can be turned around. ¡ The Maine-based Wessler was asked to begin working with Coeur d'Alene middle and high school students last fall as part of the school district's anti-bullying efforts.

He spent a week in Coeur d'Alene last October, holding focus groups to

SHAWN GUST/Press

St eve Wessler is an expert in anti-bullying and is working with the Coeur d'Alene School District in its efforts on the subject.

help him get to know the schools and get a feel for the local bullying issues.

He presented hjs findings to Coeur d'Alene School District Trustees Monday during their regular monthly meeting.

"What I found here was very similar to what I find elsewhere," Wessler sajd.

He said there are common themes of bias, prejudice, harassment and bullying across the U.S. and they are the same regardless o( variations in socioeconomic status.

There are some issues more prevalent in each

school system, he said, and Coeur d'Alene is no different.

"Clearly, gender is a problem," Wessler said.

The issue is seen locally, he said, in highly sexually degrading language used by boys to talk about girls and when speaking directly to them.

He said he also found evidence of another problem he's seen increasing over the years - "casual touching" or "casual sexual assault," instances of boys groping or slapping girls' butts or breasts.

The level of racially

degrading language and jokes is high, he said, but not any higher than elsewhere. Like most places, he said most racially degrading jokes were about blacks.

'These are jokes that end up with punch lines about hanging," he said.

He was struck by the fact that the level of jokes about blacks is proportionately much higher than the population.

He also found a higher number of instances of jokes about religion, primarily Mormons and Jews. see HOPE, A4

j HOPE from A1

â&#x20AC;˘ \ Wessler said there is a ¡ great disconnect between the hurtful effect of these jokes and the intent of the students who tell them.

They're trying to fit in, I to get laughs, he said.

Toe key is to help them become aware of the hurtful impact of their words and actions.

Wessler detailed how he is working with the students and teachers in the district, training them to use intervention strategies and coping skills.

They will then train others.

He said he's hopeful that within a few years, the tide of hurtful language and behaviors will have turned. He said he's seen it happen in other places.

"What separates schools is whether they have the courage to try to find out what problems they have and then put in practice programs that are going to address

those issues," Wessler said.

By that measure, Coeur d'Alene is a leader, Wessler said.

He said he found teachers and staff members who care deeply about making sure the school climate is one where the goal is to make every student feel safe and emotionally secure. That's not always the case, Wessler said. He visits school districts where the support for anti-bullying efforts are minimal.

Toe district is also unique in that the students trust their teachers, he said.

An observation Wessler found particularly striking was Coeur d'Alene students' high level of empathy.

"During focus groups, they're volunteering how much they dislike hearing degrading language," Wessler said. "Students are upset about how their classmates are being treated. It came up multiple times."

A graduate of Harvard College and Boston

University of Law, Wessler went to work in the Maine attorney general's office in 1992 where he developed a civil rights unit that enforced the state's hate crimes statute.

In that work, he quickly realized that hate crimes are often committed by teenagers and sometimes even younger children.

Wessler's focus as a prosecutor became prevention, and he left the attorney general's office in 1999 to start the Center for Preventing Hate in Portland, Maine, and through that organization he worked with schools and other organizations throughout the nation.

He now consults on his own, often outside the U.S., still working with schools but also training police in places like the Balkans and Central Asia.

His efforts in Coeur d'Alene are being funded with $16,000 in grant funds from the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and Kootenai Electric.

Idaho

Religion must not become weapon for discrimination We fully support the U.S. and Idaho constitutions' guarantee of religious freedom for one to freely believe and worship as he or she chooses. But we oppose any law that permits one's use of his or her religious' beliefs in the public arena to harm or discriminate against persons who happen to hold different beliefs.

HB426 and HB427 provide sweeping broad powers for one to use his or her religious views to create havoc for Idaho's business community and invite widespread discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations.

The poorly written bills .could create a significant increase in litigation for Idaho businesses regarding contracts, signing of legal documents, enforcing professional licensing standards and other legal issues when one of the parties objects based on religious grounds. We suggest this constant threat of litigation could possibly cause an exit from Idaho by some businesses and cer tainly discourage others from moving to Idaho.

HB426 could result in serious consequences to the health and safety of Idahoans. ll some licensed professionals acted according to their sincerely held religious be1iefs, a licensing board

Guest Opinion could not reprimand or discipline a professional that caused harm to the patient or client.

Christie What if a Wood physician based on religious grounds refused to administer a blood transfusion to a patient? What if a teacher guided by a religious conviction ignored negative comments directed at a gay student?

What if a licensed counselor using a religious view failed to apply the most effective intervention methods in treating a troubled sexual minority client who is showing signs of suicide?

HB427 would open the door to widespread practices of discrimination in Idaho. The owners of a housing complex, a restaurant/hotel or employer could use his or her religious beliefs to adopt a policy of discrimination against members of the LGBT community, thus seriously weakening enforcement of the antidiscrimination ordinances in seven Idaho cities.

HB247 could also invite discrimination against women.

For example, if an orthodox Brenda religious Hammond male leader, as an employer, ordered his female employee(s) to wear a certain headdress and she refused, he could fire her under HB427.

This legislation could discourage tourism and future out of state conventions whose delegates represent diversity.

We fear that HB247 would unintentionally open the door to such hate groups as the Aryan Nations' Church of Jesus Christ Christian or the religious dogma of the Ku Klux Klan to adversely impact the lives of people these hate groups target.

The late Richard Butler preached a religious dogma that the Jewish race was the result of a sexual union between Eve and the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Christian Identity Theology) to justify his hatred of]ews. He used

bis religious perspective regarding the Biblical story of Cain and Abel to Label people of color ''the mud race."

We have for more than 30 years worked with le.aders of many faiths in condemning these doctrines. Under HB427, who will determine what is a legitimate religion?

The good people of Idaho do not deserve another episode of an unfair stain on our state's reputation. Some national media outlets have already reported on the bills.

The businesses of Idaho should not be subjected to a flood of costly litigation. If these bills become law, the state of Idaho will be embroiled in years of litigation as to the constitutionality of the broad sweep of the legislation. Idaho should not have to spend millions of dollars defending this flawed legislation.

Idaho should be guaranteeing fuU equality for all Idahoans rather than expanding discrimination.

Christie Wood is the president of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations. Brenda Hammond is the president of the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force.

PAGE B4 I SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 8, 2014

EDITORIAL

Free exercise of opinions needs to be considered Ifldaho's legislators would hearken to the words of Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, more light and less heat might come of the debate over the boundaries of religious conscience.

It was Luker who, after the conclusion of a three-and-a-half-hour hearing on his proposed Free Exercise ofReligion Act, pronounced himself gratified by testimony, mostly against, presented by witnesses from among a crowd of 500.

"I think this is what our system is all about. This is my favorite part of the process, when people can come in and share their feelings and their opinions. It has an impact," he said after the marathon hearing.

That was Wednesday.

On Monday, 44 protesters were removed from the Capitol and arrested because they can no longer tolerate the refusal by legislative leaders to grant them a hearing on an "Add the Words" law that would forbid discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. They have been stonewalled for eight years.

If they were going to be unheard yet again, why not block the entrances to the Senate floor, bands over their mouths, and speak as they have never been permitted to speak?

What is it that legislators are afraid to hear, or to have heard by Idahoans?

Wednesday's testimony on House bills 426 and 427 - Luker's Free Exercise legislation - amply demonstrated Idaho citizens understand the danger of sanctioning discrimination as long as it is based on ''sincerely held religious beliefs."

HB 426 would forbid the state from lifting the license of an individual or business that expresses belief, or denies service to a consumer or refuses to hire someone based on belief.

HB 427 would allow an individual to sue state government or anyone relying on state law, possibly exacting damages in addition to legal costs.

In a five-page legal analysis of the two measures, Assistant Attorney General Brian Kane flags the potential constitutional issues both raise.

But it does not take an attorney to ask who will decide what is "sincerely held," or even "religious belief."

When does the "emotional or physical injury" inflicted become "intentional"?

And why are the questions of religious practice raised by the two bills any different from those legislators so persistently do not want to hear when they touch on gender and sexuality?

Idaho is hardly alone in its exploration of the reach of government into religion, and of religion into government. The peculiar aspect of its discussion is the refusal to incorporate the voices of a population with sincerely held sexual identities more inborn than any religious dogma Luker says his bill "does not oppress gay and lesbian people and their choices - all it is, is a bill that says if we have a religious objection, we shouldn't be compelled to celebrate your choice."

Nobody is calling for a celebration, just a hearing ''when people can come in and share their feelings and their opinions. It has an impact."

Wouldn't that be something.

To respond to this editorial online, go to www.spokesman.com and click on Opinion under the Topics menu.

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Thursday February 6, 2014

Speaker answers questions about bullying

By KEITH COUSINS

The boy had been bullied throughout the school year by several other students. Hateful COEUR d' ALENE - Stephen speech quickly evolved into Wessler told attendees at the physical harassment One day, Kroc Center on Wednesday night the bullies followed the boy that his efforts to combat bully- home from school, beat him and ing were inspired during a case held him over a third story balhe worked on as a state prosecu- cony saying next time they saw tor, involving a ninth-grade gay him they would drop him over student the edge.

Staff writer

''When something like that happens everyone focuses on the last awful event," Wessler said. "But everybody looks in the wrong places.

That's the end, not Wessler the beginning."

The "beginning," according to Wessler, is hateful language that

becomes normalized in a school environment when no one stands up against it. When that occurs, the behavior escalates and can become much more severe.

During his work with the Coeur d'Alene School District, Wessler said the majority of the hateful speech he heard about

see BULL YING, A4

BULLYING A1

from

came from students who were attempting to make a joke.

'This is a good thing," Wessler said. "It shows that there's a large gap between the intent of the student and the impact of those jokes."

To reduce the incidents of language becoming normalized, Wessler said schools must go beyond training their staff and implementing sufficient disciplinary practices.

"Almost all of this is occurring outside of the earsight of adults," Wessler said. "So you'll run into a ceiling if you don't start empowering students with a solution."

This week, Wessler has been working with students and faculty on such a solution. His program for prevention has two components.

One is creating "Respect Teams" of students who engage their schools in projects that promote a respectful environment. The other involves training community members to lead workshops that give students strategies and skills to prevent bullying.

"You'll see results quickly," Wessler said.

"By year four, every high school student will have received training, and at some point the culture will shift."

After his speech, Wessler gave attendees the opportunity to ask questions or give comments. One woman spoke of how her son had been bullied for years. The bullying culminated with a physical altercation and the woman's son being suspended for fighting.

The woman asked Wessler what a parent is-supposed to tell their

child when a situation gets to that point. He responded by saying that sometimes the end result of bullying is not a positive solution and that there were no easy answers he could give her.

'The most effective way to avoid those situations is to change the culture in our schools," Wessler said.

Another man asked what the community could do to prevent the subject and Wessler's work with the schools from fading away.

"My experience is that with this system, it doesn't fade," Wessler said. "I've worked with schools that have had respect teams in plac for two decades. The difference is the 'training a trainer' model that we've implemented. We are embedding those prevention skills wilhin the school system."

:-..

A4

The Press

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Friday, February 14, 2014

RELIGION: Rights extend to everyone lo response to Frank D. Gunseor, I would first like to know just how familiar he is with his own Bible? According to the Apostle Paul, "We have all sinned and have fallen short of the g lory of God." Therefore, exactly who isn't immoral: Who enters a grocery store, clothing store, fast food restaurant, pharmacy, among other business establishments? lf a business wishes to discriminate based on "morality," the business owner would have too few customers around to make a profit. And if "religious freedom" or arguments of "conscious" deprive people such as Mr. Gunseor of lifesaving transfusions or medication, I know of no Biblical passage, in either the Old Testament or New, that would even support this particular claim. Jesus healed the sick, without asking whether they were "moral enough" to receive treatment. He also spoke of forgiveness. If God could forgive sinners, then the people whom God forgave should be just as prepared to "pass it on," forgiving others in turn. Using "religious freedom" to show nothing but contempt for our fellow residents of Idaho isn't moral.

In the real world, medical doctors who refused to provide a lifesaving operation would hold themselves and their respective hospitals 'criminally and civilly liable. Just as people dispensing (or refusing to) medications at a pharmacy need to remember the obligation to "Love your neighbor as yourself." A "conscious" argument that goes against that second of "two greatest commandments," isn't moral.

And finally, why is the Idaho state legislature called upon to expand the size of government exclusively on behalf of religious special interests? I'd suggest to Mr. Gunseor that he take a good long look at the U.S. Constitution. Article 6 includes no religious tests for public office. The First Amendment includes no establishment of, or prohibition of, religion and thus, the free exercise thereof. Later amendments take into consideration that federal rights are equally applicable to the states.

Mr. Gunseor needs to remember that we ALL have the same rights to religious freedoms. It isn't an exclusive argument to big government, politically activists, religious groups.

JOAN HARMAN Coeur d'Alene

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In opposition

Tuesday February 11, 2014

Cd'A City Council against campus carry,

discrimination bills

By JEFF SELLE

St aff w riter

SHAWN GUST/Press

Sgt. Christie Wood, with the Coeur d'Alene Police Department, makes recommendations to city council members regarding two bills proposed in the Idaho Legislature during a special meeting Monday at Coeur d'Alene City Hall.

COEUR d' ALENE - The Coeur d'Alene City Council voted to voice its opposition to two legislative issues that are working their way through the state Legislature this week.

House Bills 426 and 427 both would allow Idahoans to refuse to

do business with those they object to for religious reasons. If passed. the bill could conflict with the city's recently adopted anti-bias ordinance.

Senate Bill 1254 would allow retired law enforcement officers and people with enhanced concealed weapons permits to carry concealed weapons on college campuses.

Coeur d'Alene Police Sgt. Christie Wood, as a member of the city's legislative committee, recommended the council oppose both state efforts.

see OPPOSED, A2

OPPOSED

from A1

As a timely example, Wood, who also sits on North Idaho College's Board of Trustees, said that a student was arrested Monday morning for allegedly carrying a concealed handgun on campus. "(Monday) morning the Coeur d'Alene Police Department responded to North Idaho College Campus Hedlund Building," she said. "A student was concerned about another student who was carrying a concealed weapon."

She said the suspect, Michael Rustin Dan, 34 of Rathdrum, reportedly brandished the weapon in front of a student last Thursday, and made some disturbing comments that alarmed the student.

However, nobody reported the Thursday incident until Monday, Wood said. ¡ "(Monday) he shows up again - he was not so much showing the weapon around - but he was showing his speed loader, . and once again, making strange statements that alarmed students," he said. "It was a very delicate situation because they needed to get students out of the classroom without causing any kind of confrontation."

She said the situation was resolved peacefully and the student was placed under arrest for

carrying a concealed weapon without a concealed-carry permit, and drug paraphernalia.

Wood said police learned later that Dan is allegedly addicted to methamphetarnines, has apparent relationship problems, and he reportedly told police he didn't care if he lives or dies.

Wood said he has also made suicide threats in the¡ past.

"He was on campus carrying because he thought it was legal," she said. "He had heard that it was legal."

She said if the Senate bill passes, research shows that situation may become a more common scenario on campus.

'There is a lot of potential with this concealed carry law to dramatically increase violence on college and university campuses that our officers are empowered to protect," she told the council.

She said NIC and other colleges in Idaho paid for a study on the issue when the Legislature proposed similar legislation 2011.

"The study was very telling that having guns on campus is not going to increase safety on campus," she said, adding there are likely to be unintended consequences if the bill is passed.

She said the study shows that reckless shootings are likely to increase, resulting in more injuries and deaths on campus.

It would also increase homicides and suicides,

as welJ as expose local law enforcement officers to increased danger.

She said law enforcement is not opposed to increased safety on college campuses, and neither is the NIC board of trustees. They just don't agree that arming students is the proper way to address that.

Wood said the college is currently talking with the deparbnent to explore alternatives that would increase the level of safety at NIC. That could include armed security officers or a program similar to the School Resource Officer programs in local high schools.

Councilman Dan Gookin said he was not going to oppose the legislation because he believes it violates the Second Amendment of the Constitution. Gookin He said the argument for local control is flawed in his opinion.

"Quite honestly we don't have local control in Idaho," he said. "I mean the Legislature Adams dictates to us what we do and tl1is is a good example."

Councilman Steve Adams said he would not oppose the legislation for similar reasons.

Regardless, the council

voted 4-2 to send a letter to the Legislature opposing the legislation.

Wood, who is also on the board of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, presented the legislative committee's recommendation to oppose two house bills that she said would open the door for discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

"It could seriously weaken all of the antidisc1imination ordinances in seven Idaho cities including Coeur d'Alene," she said, adding that the legislation would probably be amended after a hearing was held last week that generated a backlash of citizen opposition to the bill.

Futhennore, she said the Idaho Attorney General's Office has studied the bills and advised that they may not be constitutional.

Wood said the city legislative committee recommended opposing those efforts.

"I feel these bills could damage our ability to attract business to our area by creating a climate that does not treat people fairly or equally," Councilwoman Amy Evans said after Wood's presentation.

With that said, Gookin made the motion to send a letter to the Legislature opposing tl1e bills.

It passed 5-1, with Adams opposing the motion.

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provide a shield to protect the fre.e exercise .of religion under the First Amendment in light of the variety of increasing government mandates," Luker said in a statement. . ''However, many misinterpreted the intent to be a sword for discrimination. I respect the concerns that I heard and therefore want to find the right language to balance those concerns."

State lawmakers already had submitted a stack of proposed amendments a quarter-inch high, prompting Bedke to call for a "thoughtful pause." Proposed amendments ranged from converting the bill into one to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation, to one proposing that

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businesses be required to post signs to indicate which groups they wantto exclude.

"I think if a business is going to engage in such a practice, then it should be made clear," said Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow, who submitted the sign amendment.

But she added, "I don't consider that a fix that would make the bill attractive. I think the bill' in itself is not fair, to make it acceptable to discriminate."

Luker also proposed a companion measure, HB 426, to prevent the·state from revoking or suspending occupational licenses for violations that the license-holder commits for religious reasons. That bill never got a committee hearing.

An Idaho attorney general's opinion said it likely violated both the Idaho and U.S. constitutions.

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World / Nation

Friday, February 21, 2014

Refuse-to-serve gays bill approved in Arizona

â&#x20AC;˘

PHOENIX - The Arizona Legislature gave final approval Thursday evening to legislation that allows business owners asserting their religious beliefs to refuse service to gays, drawing backlash from Democrats who called the proposal "statesanctioned discrimination" and an embarrassment.

The 33-27 vote by the House sends the legislation to Republican Gov. Jan Brewer and puts Arizona back at the forefront of a polarizing piece of legislation four years after the state enacted an immigration crackdown that caused a national furor.

Similar religious protection legislation has been introduced in Ohio, Mississippi, Idaho, South Dakota, Tennessee and Oklahoma, but Arizona's plan is the only one that has passed. The efforts are stalled in Idaho, Ohio and Kansas.

Republicans stressed that the bill is about protecting religious freedom and not discrimination.

They frequently cited the case of a New Mexico photographer who was sued after refusing to take wedding pictures of a gay couple and said Arizona needs a law to protect people in the state from heavy-handed actions by courts and law enforcement.

A3

PAGE A7 I MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2014

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the garage door being locked after the car has been stolen, the fence fixed after thecows have wandered off, some sense of fighting a battle already lost. Consider: The bulk of the country now supports gay rights.

Most young conservatives now support gay rights.

The federal courts now support gay rights, as seen in a recent string of decisions approving same-sex marriage.

Moreover, as Russia embarrasses itself with an anti-gay prohibition and Uganda appalls the world by imposing draconian punishments for the crime of existing while homosexual, Americans begin to realize this is great company not to be in.

So extremist bills like this one, promulgated by extremist people like Macheers, carry the unmistakable stink of desperation. One is reminded of how, as late as 1970, with the Civil Rights Movement won and its aims vindicated, the state of Mississippi banned a certain children's TV show. Seems they could not abide the fact there was integration on Sesame Street.

They didn't know then - as people like Macheers evidently don't know now - that history had overtaken them and that they were just dead-enders standing before the onrushing freight train of change, holding up a stop sign.

Such people always look spectacularly foolish in hindsight, their fears rendered cartoonish and buffoonish, their proclamations of noble cause silly and self-refuting. They are the last folks to "get it."

So it is with Macheers, so will it be with the next politician who believes there is anything "moral" in denying people based on sexual orientation, who thinks change can be gainsaid. There's a word for what happens to people who don't have sense enough to get off the tracks when the train is coming through.

Splat.

J

Left behind by progress ''Discrimination," he said, "is horrible. It's hurtful. It has no place in civilized soÂŁiety ..."

You would think that statement, delivered recently in the Kansas Legislature, a noble sentiment no right-thinking person could argue with. But we are gathered here today to argue with it Becauseitturnsoutthat.when Republican legislator Charles Macheers said "discrimination," he didn't mean, well ... discrimination. Macheers sponsored a bill - passed overwhelmingly by the Kansas House but killed last week by the Senate in an attack of common sense - that sought to exempt any business or government employee from providing "any services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges" related to any "marriage, domestic partnership, civil union or similar arrangement'' if doing so would conflict with the employee's "sincerely held religious beliefs."

In other words, if the customer seeking these services, et cetera, were gay.

You see, Macheers' idea of fighting discrimination is to protect the right of alleged "Christians" to discriminate against gay men and lesbians.

Apparently, Jim Crow is alive and well, and serving in the Kansas legislature.

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LEONARD PITTS JR.

The comparison is not an idle one. Macheers' babblespeak, his brazen attempt to paint the oppressors as the oppressed, is straight out of the white supremacist playbook of the 1960s, when opponents of the Civil Rights Act bewailed it as an incursion upon their sacred rights, by which they meant their sacred rights to discriminate.

Moreover, a state governed by Macheers' law, a state where you could be denied a haircut, a wedding cake, hotel acconunodationsorpolice services based on sexual orientation, would of necessity have to erect the kinds of signs this country has not seen for over two generations: "We Don't Serve Homosexuals."

"Straight Only."

"No Gays Allowed."

This was a hateful piece of legislation (there are rumblings it may be reintroduced) but there was also something starkly ridiculous about it, some sense of

Leonard Pitts Jr. is a columnist for the Miami Herald. His email address is lpitts@miamiherald.com.

Op/Ed

Discrimination hurts Idaho's economy

By JASON HUDSON Guest opinion

Last Tuesday, Gov. Otter told the Idaho Press Club that he didn't think Idaho's antigay reputation hur ts business in Idaho! It isn't true. Discrimination does hurt Idaho's economy.

It doesn't just hur t the people being discriminated against, Gov. Otter.

DiscriminaHudson tion, and the negative reputation it gives to Idaho hurts the ability of our businesses to compete in a challenging economy. Discrimination hur ts every hard working Idahoan who is trying to make ends meet.

Idahoans believe in showing respect for other people. Idahoans believe in e nsuring that everyone is treated fairly. Idahoans want an economy that works fo r everyone and gives people an opportunity to work hard and get ahead. Defending disc rimination goes against Idaho values and hurts Idaho bus iness.

The economic research does not sui port the governor's backward-looking claim.

A 2013 report from the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law reviewed 36 separate research studies showing LGBT supportive employment policies were good for business

outcomes. Another 2011 study from the Williams Institute examined the top 50 Fortune 500 companies and the top 50 federal government contractors. Almost all (92 percent) of those companies stated that diversity policies were good for their business.

The majority (53 percent) were able to draw a specific and positive connection between policies prohibiting sexualorientation and gender identity discrimination and their company's bottom line. These companies provide the types of good jobs that we need to bring to ldaho: Idaho income is shockingly low. We are last in the percentage of workers earning only the minimum wage and second to last in average annual wages ..According to the Idaho Department of Labor, we rank 50th in the nation in per-capita income. Only Mississippi has seen fewer wage increases in the last seven years.

Idahoans cannot afford more bad decisions from our governor and our legislators that hur t our bus inesses and damage our economy.

In an article just published in Boise State's 'The Blue Review," Bill Morlin reports that "many Americans, influenced by a deluge of media reports over the years, continue to associate Idaho with neo-Nazis (and) the Aryan Nation" but that "(n)o one is ~illing to estimate how

much the image issue has cost the state or its businesses."

Idaho's anti-gay reputation is starting to earn us the same sort of negative publicity all across America that our neo-Nazi reputation once did. Idaho continues to show up in publications around the country mentioned in the same breath as phrases like "the new face of segregation" and "the new Jim Crow." It does not take much imagination to see that this critical image problem keeps talented individuals and companies away from our great state.

Former Govs. Batt and Kempthorne were wise to fight Idaho's reputation for bigotry, and to try to limit the damage that reputation J did to Idaho's economy.

We need a governor who will actively fight the discriminatory reputation of today so that our businesses and our economy are not held back. Contrary to what Gov. Otter may think, this is an issue that hurts every Idahoan with every paycheck we receive.

Gov. Otter told the Idaho Press Club "[ still have to govern in this age," but he is actually governing like it is 1964. Discrimination, in whatever fo r m, is bad for business. Idahoans know that. Idaho can do better.

Jason Hudson is executive director of Better I Idaho.

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Holder: Discriminatory laws don't need defending disagreements - hinging instead on firm constituState attorneys general are not obligated tional grounds."

His own view, he to defend laws in their states banning same-sex marriage if the laws dis,criminate in a way forbid.den by the Constitution, ~ Attorney General Eric Holder told his state counterparts T uesday.

Holder cited his own â&#x20AC;˘experience in refusing to defend the federal Defense of Marriage Act, as well as similar stances taken more recently by state att orneys general, in saying that laws that discriminate based on sexual orientation should be given close attention -and g reeted with suspicion.

He didn't push his audience to refuse to defend same-sex marriage bans, and said any decision to do so must not be made lightly. But he said it's imperative to uphold the values "that all are created equal and entltled to equal opportunity."

"Any decisions - at any level - not to defend individual laws must be exceedingly rare.'' Holder said at a meeting of the top law enforcers' national association. "And they must never stem merely â&#x20AC;˘from policy or political WASHINGTON

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said, is that "we must be suspicious of legal classifications based solely on sexual orientation."

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We're not exactly sure where freedom of religion ends and freedom from religion begins.

We don't feel completely comfortable in trying to determine precisely where Businessperson N s rights end and Customer G's begin.

But we do believe in basic business principles, and we have an idea that might help states like Idaho and Arizona as they tussle over proposed laws involving religion and discrimination.

Any state that decides, based solely on religious grounds, to allow business practitioners to discriminate against potential customers who seem to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or sexually enamored of something other than a heterosexual male or female aduJt human: Put it in writing. A pizza shop in Tucson, for instance, displayed signs this week stating, "We reserve the right to refuse service to Arizona legislators."

What we're recommending is similar, but a little different Every proprietor who is inclined to refuse service to someone based on that someone's perceived sexual orientation - and the proprietor's deeply held religious beliefs, of course - could be required to post a prominent, legible sign on every door into that business.

Individual states couJd establish uniform, approved verbiage, but just to promote discussion and consideration, here's how one might read: As devout [religion's name here}, we refuse to

serve anyone whose sexual preference is an affront to us and/or an abomination to [religion, spiritual leader or supreme being here}.

These signs would clearly inform like-minded, similarly spiritual patrons that they are most welcome in the ·establishment, and business just might flourish. At the same time, they would fe nd off suspected deviants and their sympathizers, who would be forced to invest their money with a friendly competitor.

We don't serve your kind here is shorter and might ~ave a little in signage costs, but its openness to intell)retation could make it an insufficient instrument for conscientious lawmakers and proprietors.

Readers Write

R eaders Write GAY: Say the words, Idaho The Idaho Legislature has once again decided to take no action to include sexual orientation under our anti-discrimination statutes. Instead, they seriously considered state approval of anti-gay incidents if they are done because of religious convictions. . These procedures and the protests generated by them have attracted the attention of major news ou~lets in large cities and even that of London newspapers.

Idaho leaders have said this is of no interest to present or prospective business oppor tunities in our state. In my career as a Legislative leader and, as a Governor, I found otherwise.

Lar,g e Idaho corporations, and particularly Hewlett-Packard and Boise Cascade, were very much concerned about Idaho's reputation regarding tolerance.

The long presence of practicing Nazis, in North Idaho, caused negative press coverage of our beloved state worldwide. H.P. executives and other Idaho business people helped force these scumbags out However, the main credit goes to North Idaho citizens who detested their abominable presence.

When an Idaho Congresswoman said people of color would not live in North Idaho because it was too cold for them we got another wave of bad publicity. She recanted her views and our good name was again restored.

Our Idaho executives told me that the State's reputation is important to their businesses. If it is damaged, sales are hurt. Perhaps more importantly, it becomes much more difficult to attract outstanding, well qualified and forward thinking people to apply for Idaho employment.

Hear ye, hear ye!

Letters to the editor are posted at www.cdapress. com, and readers rarely hesitate to add their views.

Click on the OPINION link at the top of the home page.

Such is the case for a couple of my grandchildren. Max is gay. He attended Boise schools. He felt marginalized and troubled by some of the treatment he received from students and teacher's.

Ultimately, due to this, he dropped out, obtained his GED and moved to San Francisco.

He waited tables and washed dishes until he became a legal California resident. He ¡ then obtained a degree in Fine Arts from a leading design school.

Max achieved a bachelor's degree, then a master's degree. Even before he left school he had several job offers in the computer design field. He accepted one at a high salary plus valuable options. He is now earning considerably more and has had numerous opportunities to advance further.

His sister, Anna, followed him to California, became a resident and entered the higher education system at Berkeley. She was a great

student and was shepherded through her bachelor's and master's degrees by professors who took a special interest.

She is now pursuing a doctorate degree in biochemistry at the University of Southern California.

These young folks love Idaho and I wish they lived here so that I could see them more. However, they will never make this their home again as long as we maintain our disdain for people who are differe nt than most of us.

I would like to have somebody explain to me who is going to be harmed by adding the words to our civil rights statutes prohibiting discrimination in housing and job opportunities for homosexuals.

Oh, I forgot, that might hurt the feelings of the gay bashers.

PHILBATI Boise

Idaho

AP Photo/John MIiier

Gay rights protesters march in the Idaho Capitol on Tuesday in Boise.

Gay rights activists return to Capitol

By JOHN MILLER

Associated Press BOISE - At least 105

gay rights demonstrators filled the CapitoJ's basement corridor Tuesday seeking to convince Republican lawmakers to update the Idaho Human Rights Act with discrimination protections based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

The action was organized again by former Idaho state Sen. Nicole LeFavo4.r, a Boise Democrat who directed the demonstrators up and down the haJJ. LeFavour, Idaho's first openly gay lawmaker, has long sought protections for gays, lesbians, bisexuals

The Press

. ..

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

A9

and transgender individuals and has been at the forefront of protests this year in which a total of 76 arrests have taken place.

LeFavour has been arrested twice, though Tuesday's event ended without incident. In addition to covering their mouths with one hand and maintaining virtual silence, many of those ¡ who participated held photocopied pictures of gay or lesbian teens who committed suicide.

LeFavour remains focused on pushing the issue to a hearing this session, even thc;ugh Republican lawmakers including House Speaker Scott Bedke of Oakley and Senate President Pro Tern Brent Hill have said it isn't ready for such a public forum. The last time a formal hearing was held was 2012, when a bill died in committee. ''We're doing it this year," LeFavour told The Associated Press. 'This state, this year, has to say that no person should face discrimination because they're gay or transgender."

A day earlier, how-

ever, Hill reiterated to reporters Democrats and Republicans in his chamber have been in discussions over a way to grant gays and lesbians dis- â&#x20AC;˘ crirnination protections, while also protecting the religious freedoms of people who may object to same-sex partnerships.

Hill didn't define what such a proposal would look like - already, the Legislature has considered and discarded proposals to protect religious people from being forced to ser.ve gay and lesbian customers - but said he respects both sides and wants to give them time to work out differences before a public hearing.

"I can only imagine the frustration and discouragement over this issue for some people. The people that want to 'Add The Words' are honest, they're sincere, they're motivated by compassion and conviction, they deserve respect and civility," Hill said. "But there are other people who are just as sincere in their convictions. Conviction doesn't constitute hatred or discrimination."

Bedke said he thinks both sides - religious groups and gay-rights activists - are seeking the same thing: Protection from discrimination, however they define it ''To the extent we can foster and encourage this discourse, then I think that wilJ be to the better," he said. ''We don't do that when we are yelling at each other."

Gov. Butch Otter has also alJ but closed the door to action on a bill to update the state's Human Rights Act, which currently provides protections against discrimination on the basis of race, gender and religion - but not sexual orientation.

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More tolerable intolerance Lord, have mercy! Did you see what almost happened in Arizona?

Gov. Jan Brewer pulled the state's fanny out of the fire by vetoing a bill that would've given special legal protections to those who discriminate for religious reasons. Crisis averted.

Cancel the boycotts. I t's safe to plan that spring trainil1g visit, and don't forget the golf clubs.

Sure is nice that Arizona has come to its senses by settling for the more tolerable form of bigotry. The kind practiced in more than half the states.

The kind where it's legal to discriminate against gay, lesbian and transgendered residents when it comes to housing and employment You're gay? You're fired!

But let's say that's not good enough for you, and you're looking for another battlefield. The nearest one is in Idaho, where Washingtonians love to frolic in the lakes and mountains, and then return to a state of tolerance.

Gay-rights supporters have been trying to add the words "sexual orientation" and "gender identity'' to the state's anti-discrimination statutes, which already offer protections based on race, religion and gender. After eight years, the Legislature has yet to grant tl1em a hearing. To "commemorate" the silent treatment, activists have swarmed the Capitol with taped mouths and "Add the Words" T-shirts. As of Friday, 122 of them had been arrested.

Oddly, this has not sparked a media firestorm.

And what would Idaho lawmakers hear if they had the courage to listen?

The Utah GARY Legislature held its CROOKS first such hearing last Wednesday, and the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News described it as emotional but respectful.

A father spoke of the moment his 15-year-old son told hinl he was gay, "The fear was not knowing if I would be able to protect my child from the intolerance of the outside world." A mother and father lamented their son's wish to attend college in another state because of the discrimination he might face in trying to land a job or rent an apartment A high school student recounted the daily hallway banter peppered with "dyke" and "homo" references. A young man said he was fired from a credit union upon the discovery of an email he sent about the death of a gay partner.

If you think this isn't happening in Idaho, listen to former Gov. Phil Batt In an Idaho ¡statesman op-ed, he wrote about a gay grandson who felt marginalized, so he dropped out of school and left the state. His sister followed. They're both thriving in California, but they've told their grandfather they could never move back as long as Idaho sanctions bigotry.

These are the stories that reflect the everyday reality ofldaho. But, wow, have you heard about Arizona? It's an outrage.

DOWN TO BUSINESS.

State-sponsored discrimination will probably continue in Idaho until economic pressure is brought to bear.

That was the tipping point in Arizona, despite the governor's high-minded rhetoric. When lawmakers understand that it takes more than tax breaks and low wages to lure businesses, they'll come around. Gov. Butch Otter touts those selling points, but the result is the highest percentage of minjmum-wage jobs in the nation.

A recent Bloomberg News article noted, "Eighty-eight percent of Fortune 500 companies have policies that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and 62 percent provide domestic partner health insurance to their employees."

Corporations don't want to be associated with discrimination. It's bad for business. Plus, they have diverse workforces that expect acceptance.

Discriminatory statutes also hurt tourism. Marriott International sent a letter to the Arizona governor, stating: "It is exceedingly difficult for us to sell Arizona as a destination against a backdrop of negative attention suggesting certain travelers or conference attendees would not be welcome here - as a matter oflaw."

Gay-friendly is business-friendly. So at some point the question for Idaho Legislature will be, "Why are you hostile to business?"

Associate Editor Gary Crooks can be reached at garyc@spokesman.com or (509) 459-5026. Follow him on Twitter @GaryCrooks.

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PAGE Aff I THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014

EDITORIAL

CdAschools should pass protections forLGBT The city of Coeur d'Alene passed an ordinance that protects lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered residents from discrimination, and now a citizen is asking the Coeur d'Alene School District to do the same.

Susan Moss, an attorney and parent, is concerned that because the district is a division of state government; the city's anti-discrimination ordinance may not apply to students and employees.

The school board has asked its legal staff to look into the matter, and it's possible that the district may end up tackling this issue. If it does, there will be plenty of time for public input.

The district should pass an equality policy regardless of the legal finding because the city's ordinance could always be overturned. T his is an issue in Pocatello, where the city and the school district adopted anti-discrimination measures. (Idaho Falls has done the same.) However, some Pocatello residents who objected to the city ordinance succeeded in making it a ballot measure to be decided in May. If the ordinance is repealed, the school district's anti-discrimination policy would be unaffected.

Moss made her request at . Monday's school board meeting, and it was met with objections that provide a preview of opposition arguments. Tim Scott, a former tennis coach at Lake City High School, and John Padula, who operates a faith-based halfway house, were upset that Moss and some board members had exchanged emails on this issue. Board members denied they were being deceptive.

But this is a sideshow, because a decision is a long way off.

The chief complaint is that homosexuality doesn't merit protections against discrimination.

Padula told board members who had yet to take up the topic, ''You're stripping the moral values of our kids by leading in dishonesty and deception." Scott worries that an anti-discrimination policy ''would create a special class and a special group of individuals, which could ultimately open the door to allow these individuals access to their respective opposite restrooms and showers facilities and provide them with special privileges not available to other students,'' according to the Coeur d'Alene Press.

Alarmist critics seem to ignore the fact that predictions of dire consequences are never fulfilled in communities and schools that treat LGBT citizens as equals.

If supporters of discrimination would visit Spokane schools, they would find that equality isn't undermining education. Students with admirable values and intact morals are thriving. P.E. classes and sports are conducted without locker room drama. Bathroom breaks are uneventful.

There's no compelling reason to reintroduce discrimination. There's no reason it wouldn't be the same in Coeur d'Alene.

Eight years ago, an Idaho legislator tried to scuttle the Gay-Straight Alliance, a Lake City High School club, by sponsoring a bill that would've mandated parental signatures before students could join any club.

The club is still there, and harm has yet to join up.

To respond to this editorial online, go to www.spokesman.com and click on Opinion under the Topics menu.

rhe Press, Friday, April 4, 2014

ECTION

C ll Reed to

speak at HREI banquet Former presidential assistant will be keynote speaker Bruce Reed, Rhodes scholar and former assisâ&#x20AC;˘ taut to President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama, will be this year's keynote speaker at the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations' 17th annual human rights banquet.

Tickets are on sale now for the human rights banquet, which will be held April 28 at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene lnn, 506 W. Appleway. A reception will begin at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m.

Reed's most recent public policy position was serving for three years as chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden. Reed is currently president of the Broad Education Foundation.

"We have been fortunate to feature such prominent public officials as former Idaho Gov. Phil Batt, Sen. Mike Crapo, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood and

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BANQUET C1

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now Reed as our banquet keynote speakers," said task force president Christie Wood.

During the. banquet,

the task force will recognize former Coeur d'Alene Mayor Sand-i Bloem and the 2013 City Council members whose support led to the June 2013 adoption of a city ordinance banning discrimination in housing,

employment and public accommodations based on sexual orientation.

Gregory C. Carr, Mary Lou Reed, Scott Reed and the Human Rights Education Institute will be inducted into the Idaho Hall of Fame during the banquet.

Individual tickets are $40 or tables can be purchased for $500 or $1,000.

All profits will go to the Human Rights Education Institute for its work including the awarding of foÂľr annual NIC minority student scholarships.

The deadline to purchase tickets is Friday, April 25.

For more information, call (208) 765-3932 or 292-2359.

THE SPOKESMAN ~REVIEW . ,

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014

~

COOLER, CHANCE OF MOISTURE .A. 55 T 35

WWW.SPOKESMAN.COM

Kansas killing suspect has racist ties to region Miller testified in Aryan Nations case

By Bill Morlln Senior correspondent

ers, Frazier Glenn Miller Jr. has spent the past 26 years trying to convince other racists that he is a true "white nationalist" who genuinely hates Jews and minorities, not a government informant Investigators are expected to examine whether Miller, who also goes by the name Frazier Glenn Cross, bad come to believe be had to move from simply engaging in hate speech activities to carrying out an actual hate crime to win back support in

The man accused of going on a hate-crime killing rampage targeting two Jewish facilities over the weekend in Kansas has Inland Northwest ties and served as a key prosecution witness in a 1988 federal case against the now-deceased Aryan Nations leader Richard G. Butler and 13 other white supremacists.

Following the acquittals of Butler and the oth- See SUPREMACIST, A12

Associated

In this Sunday image from video provided by KCTV-5, Frazier Glenn MIiier Jr. is escorted by police In a school parking lot in Overland Park, Kan. Miller is accused of killing three people.

Press

PAGE A12 • TUESDAY • APRIL 15. 2014

FROM THE FRONT PAGE SUPREMACIST

Continued from Al white supremacy circles.

Miller posted messages on a racist website praising Kevin Harpham before and after his arrest and conviction for planting a bomb in 2011 on the route of the Martin Luther King Day parade in downtown Spokane.

And on Saturday- a day before the Kansas shootings that killed three people - Miller posted a public notice that he had spoken with fellow racist Craig Cobb, in jail on seven charges of terrorizingthe mayor and others in Leith, N.D.

On just one website he has posted about U,000 messages .in the past 10 ye.ars.

The 73-year-old Miller is suspected ofkillingthree people in a bungled hate crime. None of the shooting victims was Jewish: William Lewis Corporon was FILE Associated Press taking his 14-year-old grandson to a singing audition. They were Frazier Glenn Miller Jr., right, then-leader of the Carolina Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, holds a news Methodist And Terri LaManno conference In Raleigh, N.C., In April 1984. was visiting her mother at a retirement home nearby. She was Catholic.

Police arrested Miller, of Aurora, Mo., shortly after the shootings. He was shouting "Heil, Hitler," according to various press accounts: The investigation is reportedly attempting to determine whether Miller had been drinking at a casino before the shooting and where he was·able to obtain guns despi~_e b~in~ a fel?~- .

Miller has been labeled a patsy and government mole for assistingthe .i;:BI_ in 1987 as agents pursued cnmmal charges against Butl~r and 13 other white supremacists. They were indicted in F?:t Smith, .AJ:k., on charges ofseditious conspiracy - plotting the overthrow of the U.S. government Many Justice Department officials said privately at the time that the case was overreaching and hard to prove.

U.S. attorneys in the Northwest, who had been following the activities of North Idaho and Eastern Washington white supremacists, declined to prosecute.

But FBI agents, using Miller and other cooperating individuals, laid out the case and persuaded a grand jury- in Arkansas to issue indictments, believing there was probable cause to suggest the overthrow plot was hatched at the 1983 Aryan World Congress at Butler's compound near H ayden Lake. The twomon_th trial and failed pros- ; ecution was the only significant

criminal case ever brought against Butler and his Aryan Nations group.

Butler later lost a major civil rights case in Kootenai County and the $6.3 million award led to the dismantling of his Hayden compound.

In exchange for assisting federal prosecutors in the Butler prosecution, Miller struck a plea deal and served three years in prison for weapons violations associated with paramilitary training; plotting robberies; and planning the assassination of Morris Dees, the founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center.

At Butler's trial in Fort Smith, Miller testified about accepting $200,000 in stolen money inl984 from Robert Mathews, a Metaline Falls, Wash., man who formed a terrorist group calle.d The Order. Miller testified that he was told that Butler and other white supremacist leaders also secretly received robbery money from The Order.

The¡neo-Nazi group funded its attempt to start a race war by robbing banks and armored cars.

They got away with an estimated $4 million.

In 1984, before he was killed in a shootout with the FBI, Mathews delivered some of the robbery money to Miller, who was then the head of the paramilitary White Patriot Party in Angier, N.C., believing the funds would promote white supremacy caus?s.

Miller later testified he ac-

cepted the robbery money before issuing his own "declaration of war'' on April 6, 1987, against the Zionist Occupation Government and becoming a federal fugitive.

In his declaration, Miller asked his fellow "Aryan warriors" to join him in a fight against the federal government and Jews.

"Together, we will cleanse the land ofevil, corruption, and mongrels," he wrote, adding, "let the battle axes swing smoothly and the bullets whiz true."

"Strike for the millions of innocent White babies murdered by Jew-legalized abortion, who cry out from their graves for vengeance," Miller wrote. .

He said, "I ask for no quarter. I will give none." But he did just that, agreeing shortly after his capture to cooperate with the Justice Department in exchange for leniency. He testified how he, along with Butler and other selected white supremacy leaders, received money stolen in robberies carried out by The Order.

After testifying for the government, Miller, the father t>f seven boys, changed his name to Frazier Glenn Cross J r. He moved from North Carolina to Missouri but.made no real attempt to keep his past a secret, continuing over the past 26 years to use the code name "Rounder" that was given to him by Mathews.

Using that screen name, Miller appears to have spent the last two decades trying to convince others of his racist views. /

/

Ill'

On March ll, 20ll, Miller wrote another racist forum comment, claiming Harp ham's arrest by the FBI "is most likely a result of pressure put on Obama, the lefties, and pro-muslim groups to show that 'neo-Nazis' are just as much a terrorist threat in the U.S. as militant Muslims."

Miller wrote that Harpham was framed for the foiled MLK bomb plot in Spokane. He accused the government ofplanting the bomb and pinning the crime on Harpham.

Forensic evidence found on the unexploded backpack bomb tied Harpham to the device and he ultimately pleaded guilty and was sent to prison for 32 years.

Miller said Harpham "was a patsy selected because of where he resides, because he's an intelligent, courageous, and effective" spokesman and activist for white nationalist causes.

In a May I, 2007, posting on a racist forum, four years before the bombing case, Miller thanked Harpham, known on that discussion board as "Joe Snuffy."

"Joe, many thanks for your generous financial contributions to our newspaper fund, and for your distributions work, as well," Miller wrote, telling Harpham that lie ranked among the top half-dozen financial contributors.

Former Spokesman-Review reporter Bill Mor/in now writes occasionally for the Southern Poverty Law Center's website. (\

A4

The Press

Friday, April 25, 2014

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Editorial

Open eyesand meetings In our view, Coeur d'Alene School District patron Mary Jo Finney will lose her battle to show that the school board violated state open meeting laws.

Also in our view, Finney will win a greater war by raising awareness of an issue of extreme importance: The public's right to know what their elected and appointed servants are doing.

While our review of her complaint is informal - the authority for a legal conclusion resides with the county prosecutor - we find it lacking substance. Several of her foundational statements of fact are inaccurate, rendering some of her conclusions inaccurate as well. The fact that the district legally posted notice of a meeting in Boise that was central to Finney's complaint weakened her argument, if it didn't kill it altogether. And although email was exchanged among school board members and verbal discussions about the potentially explosive debate over "add the words" did take place, we did not find evidence that a secret, illegally derived decision took place. In fact, the board ended up with a decision on the issue that Finney would have supported.

But none of this diminishes the importance of understanding, as a community, the intent of Idaho's public record and open meeting laws. And thanks to Finney's complaint, we have a timely forum for discussion.

...

Whether they're highly paid elected officials, paid appointees or elected volunteers - school board members being the latter - public officials should be thoroughly familiar with the state's open meeting and public record laws. As we've noted before, excellent references provided by Attorney General Lawrence Wasden are available online: www.ag.idaho.gov/ pu blications/legalManuals/ PublicRecordsLaw. pdf www.ag.idaho.gov/publications/legalManuals/ OpenMeeting.pdf In our experience, public officials do sometimes run afoul of the intent of the law, as well as the letter. In most cases, violations or the appearance of violations occur because the rules aren't known - and, frankly, because the officials and their advisers did not care enough to learn what those rules are. Another guide is simply thinking before dialing the phone or touching a keyboard.

Public officials' communication records are, in most cases, subject to full disclosure. Even email of a personal nature is fair game if it's communicated on government equipment Public officials would do well to remember that if they think they'd regret seeing their communication published in the local newspaper, it might be best not to make that communication in the first place. There are appropriate means to conduct the public's business; strict adherence to those procedures will serve both the public and the officials well.

Coming later this summer or early fall, Attorney General Wasden and his team will conduct a fun, extremely informative community workshop in Coeur d'Alene on public record and open meeting laws. We'll share details when they're available.

pq pr-es r Afn'/ z~ z o /lf[' (>

STEWART: Clarifies role in 271 debate There appears to be both confusion and misunderstanding regarding my conversation some weeks ago at the U.S. Post Office when approached by School Board 271 Board Chairman Tom Hearn. I shared with him the idea that one shoÂľld always research in-depth any issue prior to a public hearing. I did not recommend that the people's business should be done in private. I gave him the example of the process we used regarding last year's adoption of the city of Coeur d'Alene antidiscrimination ordinance.

I shared with Chairman Hearn that the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations Board voted on Aug. 6, 2012, to conduct an in-depth study of other cities' anti-discrimination LGBT ordinances and then petition the city of Coeur d'Alene to consider adoption of such an ordinance.

After six months of research, on Feb. 4, 2013, we hand delivered to Mayor Sandi Bloem and the City Council an open letter regarding our request for such an ordinance. Councilman Steve Adams responded to our open letter with a detailed memo to the city's legal staff in opposition. Months of discussion by all parties proceeded until the public hearing before the Coeur d'Alene General Services Committee chaired by Mike Kennedy on May 27, 2013. followed by six hours of a public testimony before the City Council on June 4, 2013, and a vote of 5 to 1 to adopt the ordinance. The process was not rushed and all parties had exactly four months to debate the issue.

In a conversation with attorney Susan Moss, I gave the same advice. Do your homework, and 1 also suggested that the Coeur d'Alene Education Association, as the representative of the employees, should definitely be involved since a portion of the issue involved employee and employer policies. Susan Moss has shown great courage in advocating rights and protection for all those associated with District 271.

I did not participate in back and forth emails with the district regarding this question. I simply responded to the questions from Chairman Hearn and Ms. Moss.

Not only have I never supported doing the public's business in private, I have on more than one occasion filed a public records request.

TONY STEWAKf Coeur d'Alene

COEUR d' ALENE

l

Tuesday

Mostly sunny High 63, Low 37 I

Weather, A2

Photos by SHAWN GUST/Press

Bruce Reed, former chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden, currently The Broa d Education Foundation president, mingles with guests prior to the 17th annual Kootenai Count y Task Force on Human Relations banquet Monday at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn.

Smoke¡out the hate Bruce Reed delivers keynote address at human relations banquet

By DAVID COLE

Staff writer COEUR d' ALENE - Bruce Reed recalled a time years ago when his dad - Coeur d'Alene attorney Scott Reed - couldn't get some lingering guests to leave his home one winter night.

So Scott Reed climbed on the roof of the family home on Fernan Hill, put a piece of plywood over the top of the chimney, and smoked U1e long-lingering guests out of the house.

Bruce Reed said his dad, now 86, has never shied away from a tough fight.

"He proves you don't have to be the tallest man in town to have th most backbone," he said Monday night, as the keynote speaker of the annual banquet hosted by the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations.

The banquet, at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn, had 476 guests, the second-largest attendance number in the event's 17 years.

Bruce Reed's mother, Mary Lou Reed - a former state senator was a force for good, too, he said.

"She led the successful fight for Idaho to finally recognize Martin Luther King Day," he said. "She persuaded Republicans to expand Tony Stewart, secretary for the Kootenai County Task Force on Medicaid to cover hospice care."

Human Relations, center, talks with former Coeur d'Alene Mayor Sandi Bloem and City Councilman Woody McEvers during a see BANQUET, A3 social hour prior to presentations. ,\1.. ,,

The Press

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

A3

North Idaho

BANQUET

from A1

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Mary Lou and Scott Reed were inducted into the Idaho Hall of Fame at the banquet.

Bruce Reed said he grew up watching his parents stand up for principle against an odds.

"My parents taught me that there's no such thing as a lost cause, just battles you haven't won yet," he said.

S. Reed y\Then 1.. __ , the Aryan Nations and Richard Butler "turned up in your midst'' in M .L. Reed North Idaho, residents here had a hard choice to make, Bruce Reed said.

The presence of the hate group and its leader could have been played down, and residents could have just hoped .the problem went away. "'The way I look at it, the entire community of North Idaho pulled a Scott Reed," he said. "So you climbed up on the roof, put plywood on the chimney, and smoked the Neo-Nazis out of your house, never to return."

Bruce Reed, a native of Coeur d'Alene, is a former speech writer for Al Gore, a former special assistant to Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and former chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden.

Bruce Reed currently is president of The Broad Education Foundation in Los Angeles.

He said the nation still has a ways to go. but progress has been made.

SHAWN GUST/Press

Norm Gissel, center, laughs with Diane and Freeman Duncan at the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations banquet.

"When I was born, states still used poll taxes to deny African-Americans the right to vote," he said.

"A half century later, we've elected and re-elected an African-American president."

Historic steps have been made toward marriage equality, he said.

"When I started in national politics 30 years ago, the only voices on gay rights were against them," he said.

Now, the military has done away with "Don't. ask, don't telJ," one-third of states allow same-sex couples to marry, "and the dwindling number of politicians who still oppose marriage equality are the ones who keep their mouths shut."

Also Monday night, former Coeur d'Alene Mayor Sandi Bloem, former Councilman Mike Kennedy, former Councilwoman Deanna GoodJander and current Councilmen Woody McEvers, Ron Edinger and Dan Gookin received the 2013 Task Force on

Human Relations civil rights award for passage of the anti-discrimination ordinance last summer.

Bruce Reed said immigration reform will one day bring millions "out of the shadows."

"Sooner or later, we will help young people in Indian country grow up with a fair shake," he said.

Finally, he said the greatest civil rig hts issue of the time is education.

"If there's one idea all of us across the spectrum can agree upon, it's that education is the ticket to a better life." he said.

There has been positive news on that front, as more low-income students are graduating from high school and more minorities are going on to college.

"But our schools aren't getting better fast enough. the gap isn't closing fast enough, and far too many young people are stilJ trapped in low-performing schools where they'll never catch up in time to be ready for

a college or career," he said.

In the meantime, a gap is growing between the U.S. educational system and the systems of global competitors, he said.

The U.S. used to be first in the world in graduating kids from college.

Now the U.S. is 16th, he said.

"On math and science, compared to the rest of the world, our students are in the middle of the pack," be said. 'The future of our society depends on closing both those gaps, because from now on, they're going to matter more thart ever."

It's why he left Washington, D.C., after 28 years, for southern California.

"As president of The Broad Foundation, I get to spend every day trying to improve the public schools and expand opportunity for the kids who need it most,'' he said. "I know every child in Ame1ica can learn, if we just g ive them the chance."

COEUR d' ALENE

Who knew?

Mayor's a star Widmyer steals the show in video The audience at Monday night's human rights banquet choked up.

They also cracked up.

Emcee Tony Stewart did his darnedest to dampen most of the 952 eyes in the Coeur d'Alene lnn banquet room. He unleashed a world-class keynoter, Cd'A native Bruce Reed. Reed unfurled his professional speech-writing ability like Old Glory, his words embracing parents Scott and Mary Lou like a loving son's heartfelt hug.

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe took Stewart's full measure of respect and admiration, a wreath reserved for heroes - which Stewart and the emphatic audience declared the Tribe to be.

And from his hospital room, City Councilman Ron Edinger cer tainly felt the love, even if he couldn't see it or bear it when the crowd honored see MAYOR, AS

Thursday May 1, 2014

Sunny, wann High 77, Low 49

Courtesy photo

Coeur d'Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer, left, and Councilman Woody McEvers appear in a video screened Monday for guests at the annual Human Rights Banquet hosted by the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations.

MAYOR

a cast of well-known locals. Don't take our from A1 word for it; check out the video on www.cdapress. him for his stance against com. And join us in givdiscrimination. ing former Councilman But Mayor Steve Mike Kennedy a cheap Widmyer made his plastic trophy worthy of Hollywood debut and, the Good Sport of the in many ways, stole the Evening. show with Councilman Woody McEvers and - Mike Patrick

THE SPOKESMANsREVIEW THURSDAY, MAY15, 2014

SU NNY A ND WARM

80 .- 54

WWW.SPOKESMAN.COM

Outdoors: Disc golfers prove sport is more than a spring fling

One advertises services, others see uncertainty

By Scott Maben scottm@spokesman.com, (208) 758-0260

Thousands of couples have tied the knot at the Hitching Post, an institution in Coeur d'Alene right up there with the famous Hudson's Hamburgers.

But the popular wedding chapel across the street from the Kootenai County Courthouse will not perform marriages for same-sex couples, even if that means closing its doors after 95 years in business.

"We will not be marrying gay couples here," said Donald Knapp, an ordained minister along with his wife, Lynn.

A federal judge struck down Idaho's ban on same-sex marriage Tuesday, and gay and lesbian residents will be allowed to marry starting Friday morning unless a court puts the ruling on hold as requested by Gov. Butch Otter.

Knapp said he follows biblical teaching on marriage, as do the other Christian ministers who perform weddings there.

"I'm not antagonistic to pe-

Center church in Spokane. "I cannot in good conscience perform same-sex marriages."

Wedding venues that turn away gay couples may violate local laws, such as Coeur d'Alene's prohibition on discrimination based on sexual orientation. The provision adopted by the City Council last year ''You have the right to love applies to housing, employwhoever you want to love," said Christine Taysan from her ment and places of public accommodation, including busihome in Coeur d'Alene on Ylednesday. Taysan,an nesses that render public services. ordained minister, says she's "ecstatic" about officiating "I think that term is broad same-sex marriages. enough that it would capture (wedding) activity," city atople of that belief. If that's torney Warren Wilson said. what they want to do, they can Similar laws have applied to choose to live together to do florists, bakeries and photograthe things that they're doing," said Knapp, a member of Life See RULING, AlO

secT,oNo

Ministers ¡d iverge on gay ruling

KATHY PLONKA kathypl\?'Spokesman.com

" I just can't break what I believe," said ordained minister Don Knapp as he stood In front of the Hitching Post Wedding Chapel In Coeur d'Alene on Wednesday. Knapp says the chapel will refuse to officiate weddings for same-sex couples.

PAGE AlO • THURSDA Y • MAY 15. 2014

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

FROM THE FRONT PAGE / BUSINESS

RULING

Stay rejected as state appeals

Continued from Al phers that have refused to work A federal judge's decision to allow same-sex marriages in on same-sex weddings in other Idaho starting Friday has attorneys for the state scrambling to states, Wilson noted. appeal and gay rights advocates planning their next steps.

"Those have all been adU.S. District Magistrate Judge Candy Dale overturned Idaho's dressed in various states and run ban on same-sex marriages Tuesday, and on Wednesday she afoul of state prohibitions simirefused to put pending marriages on hold while Gov. Butch lar to this," he said. "I would Otter and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden appeal. think that the Hitching Post Otter and Wasden both asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of would probably be considered a Appeals for an emergency stay while they fight the lower court's place of public accom,modation ruling. that would be subject to the ordiMatrimonial law expert Seymour Reisman said the appellate nance." court is likely to issue the stay, and the U.S. Supreme Court is In Washington, no clergy peralmost certain to take up the matter. son is required to marry a couple But with several other states appealing rulings similar to the if doing so would violate the dicone handed down in Idaho, it's anyone's guess which state's tates of their faith tradition. Idacase the high court will consider, said Reisman. a partner in the ho does not have a similar New York law firm Reisman Peirez Reisman and Capobianco exemption in place, but religious LLP. entities are exempt from the "You can't just have different states having different laws all Coeur d'Alene ordinance, so pasover the place," he said. "Nobody knows where they can live, tors in the city are not obligated . what they can do." to perform same-sex weddings.

Assoc~ated Press But any nonreligious business that hosts civil ceremonies would fall under the city law; Wilson said.

Christine Taysan, who is or- of the opportunity to marry now "The Hitching Post might still dained through the Universal in the Gem State. "It's something have an obligation to figure out a Life Church and has presided ov- that a lot of them have been waitway to officiate at that cer- er about a dozen weddings in ing a long time for." emony," he said.

Idaho.

Tracy Springberry, minister of And that, J<napp said, might ''I've put it out there since the North Idaho Unitarian Uniforce him to close the chapel af- we've gotten this good news versalist Fellowship, said she ter his 27-year run there. ''I may (that) if anybody wants to get looks forward to presiding over have to get out of this line of married on Friday that I would same-sex weddings. work," he said Wednesday. offer my services free of charge," "I will absolutely be performGay couples will have oth~r said Taysan, who operates as ing them," said Springberry, who options to mark their unions Custom Ceremonies by Chris- lives in Spokane and married her once they obtain a marriage li- tine. partner in Washington last July. cense. One person who said she's She expects same-sex couples "It means I can really live out my happy to marry gay couples is will be excited to take advantage faith."

So far she hasn't been asked to marry a same-sex couple in Idaho. "I'm interested in making sure people know we're there and are willing to do it," Springberry said.

One longtime Kootenai County judge who estimates he has presided over· 1,000 weddings said he wants to read the federal judge's decision in the Idaho case before he decides whether to perform ceremonies for samesex couples.

In his 29 years on the bench, 1st District Senior Judge Eugene Marano has been asked many times if he has a moral objection to gay marriage. "My answer always was it's not something that I even think about because it will never happen in Idaho," Ma'rano said. "Shows you what I know."

Judges in Idaho have the authority to wed couples but are' not required to perform that service.

It's not clear if Coeur d'Alene's anti-discrimination ordinance would require a judge who performs weddings to include samesex couples.

"I have the same question in my mind and I haven't resolved it yet," Marano said.

Neither has the judicial district's administrative judge, Lansing Haynes. "Without having researclied it, I don't know the answer to that," Haynes said.

"No judge is obligated, as I understand it, to perform any kind of marriage," he said. "They are authorized to do so."

The Tide Is Turning

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Last week'scourt ruling made Idaho one of the latest victories for marriage equality advocates, but more work remains

BY HEIDI GROOVER

I

t shouJd happen in her dad's backyard. That's where Amanda Gwm spent her teenage years and watched her siblings grow up. It's where her aunt and uncle got married. And today it's where her father, who has trouble traveling as his hcaJth rapidJy deteriorates, already is.

"It would mean more than I can probably put into words to get married in his backyard," says Gwm, who lives in Coeur d'Alene with her fianc~e Amanda Hackworth. The couple plans to marry this August. "It's really going to make me angry now ifl can't do that, because this little ray of hope happened."

That hope came last week when a federal judge struck down Idaho's ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional, writing in her decision that it relegated gay and lesbian Idahoans to "a stigma· tized, secood-dass status without sufficient reason for doing so." ' Marriages were to start Friday at 9 am, but celebrations were halted Thursday when the 9th Circuit Coun of AppcaJs issued a temporary stay on same-sex marriages until it couJd rule on the state's request for a l~nger stay while it appeals the case.

UntiJ this week, Gunn and Hackworth had planned to get married in Spokane, where same-sex marriage has been legal since 2012, then drive back to Idaho for their reception. The ruling meant they could avoid that and say their vows in their home state.

For now, they're back in limbo.

"We're just gonna plan [to have it in Spokane] and it·u all be planned and if, for whatever reason, before August 7 Idaho accepts us. then we will just move it to Coeur d'Alene." Hackworth says.

The disappointment at last week's halt on same-sex marriages was palpable, as North Idaho ministers.who had planned to be at the Kootenai CoWlty Courthouse to marry couples Friday changed their plans. Still, there's a feeling among advocates. that it's just a

maner of time until equality comes to even the reddest and most far-Bung parts of the nation, including Idaho.

"The tide is dclinitely turning." says Monica Hopkins. the former president of the ACLU of Idaho.

In total, 19 states now allow same-sex couples to marry, with Pennsylvania the latest addition after a judge s truck down the state's ban Tuesday. Across the country. judges have issued about. a dozen mlings in. favor of same-sex marriage, many against bans like Idaho's, and nearly every state has a challenge lo a marriage ban currently in court. While some states continue to appeal pro· gay-marriage rulings, what's emerging is a portrait of marriage equality that plays no politicaJ favorites: Along with their peers in states like Washington and New York, same-sex couples in places like Arkansas and Utah have been able to marry - if temporarily. pending appeals.

Gunn and Hackworth say marriage is one of the last major hurdles to normality for couples like them in Idaho, and they're willing to wait for change.

"Eventually it will not be an uphill battle," Gunn says. "Even· tually, somebody will say, 'Hey, guess what? They're people and they have rights and that's OK.' ... Evemually, I'll be able to live in a state that I love and is absolutely beautiful, and be able to be exactly who I am when rm with her."

M

arriage isn't the only front where LGBT advocates see major work ahead, in Idaho and elsewhere. The long-running debate in Idaho over extending the state's H uman Rights Act to protect gay and cransgender people from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations continues. There is no such protection in federal law and advocates

NEWS

I MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Amanda Gunn and Amanda Hackworth plan tomarry in Idaho in August if ajudge'srecent ruling is upheld. If not, they'll travel to Spokane to say "I do!' YOONG KWAK PllOTO

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have had little luck adding it at the state level. This year marked the eighth legislative session in which the push to expand the law has not received a hearing. In the meantime, groups have pushed for the changes at a local level. After hours of public testimony and debate last summer, Coeur d'Alene passed an anti-discrimination ordinance to protect against discrimination in housing, empl9YIDent and public accommodations. Six other cities in the state, including Sandpoint, Boise and Pocatello, have similar ordinances.

In Boise, a U.S. Navy veteran recently received national atteprion after she requested that she and her wife, who died in 2012, be buried together in the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.

The state Division of Veterans Services denied her request because a valid marriage license is required to be buried together in the veterans' cemetery, and Idaho does not recognize the license the couple received in California in 2008.

"It's not taking up any more space to have both of us in there, and I don't sec where the ashes of a couple old lesbians is going to hurt anyone," the veteran, Madelynn Taylor, told Boise's KBOI. "Idaho is complicated," says Tony Stewart, who has a long history of working on human rights issues in the state and is now a member of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations. Stewart says discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is less dramatic to many lawmakers than the violence of the Aryan Nations in the 1980s, when murders and bank robberies had "angered people all over the region." Then, the legislature took action by adding hate crime laws to Idaho code, but those laws still do not protec~ people who arc gay or transgender.

"When it comes to this issue, the picture is different," he says.

"Io this case we're not dealing with that kind of criminal activity, so it makes it a great challenge to get some people to say we shouldn't have this form of discrimination. It's almost like apples and oranges [comparing] what was happening on the ground, but that doesn't take away from the fact that no one should be discriminated against."

T

oday, both of Idaho's serious gubernatorial candidates oppose allowing same-sex marriage and incumbent C.L. "Butch" Otter has dedicated $1 million to appealing last week's ruling. Otter has continued to insist that he is defending the will of the 63 percent of Idaho voters who supported adding the ban to the state constitution in 2006. All four of the state's federal representatives received Opercent scores from the Human Rights Campaign, which analyzed each representative and senator's positions on bills concerning issues like discrimination and health care rights for same-sex partners.

But advocates say the resistance to change may not be truly representative ofldaho's voters. A 2008 survey by Boise State University found that 63 percent of respondents believed it should be illegal to 6re an employee because they were "perceived to be · gay or lesbian." Io a 2011 survey of 400 Idaho voters commis· sioned by the ACLU of Idaho and conducted by a research firm, about 8 0 percem of those asked said it should be illegal to fire someone or deny him o r her housing, health care or insurance because the person is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Sixty· four percent of those asked said they would support adding sexual orienta tion and gender identity to the state's Human Rights AcL "I really think if we had a vote t0day in Idaho on what we did in Coeur d'Alene, the majority of citizens would end discrimination," Stewart says.

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SECTION

Loving the North1tVest ••• and human rights \

By DAVID COLE

Staff writer COEUR d'ALENE Starting April 1, Bob Weis became the new executive director of the nonprofit Human Rights Education Institute in Coeur d'Alene.

Weis, 58, has been spending the past four or five summers in Coeur d'Alene and had a h ome built at Rockford Bay. He g rew up in Wenatchee and attended Washington

State University. His father grew up in Spokane.

"As kids we used to spend a lot of time around the lakes," Weis·said Tuesday. "I knew at some point if I was lucky enough I would love to have a p1ace on one of the lakes over here, and Coeur d'Alene was the most beautiful lake I could find. " As executive director at the Human Rights Education Institute , Weis is resP,onsible see WEIS, C5

Meet Bob Weis Favorite movie: No favorite, but baseball movies like " Bull Durham" and "Field of Dreams" top his list. (Weis was a catcher at Washington State University from 1974 to 1978.)

Favorite place: The · Northwest. "There's one sight that I think is the most beautiful sight in the world, and that's flying into Seattle, Washington, on a clear day."

Quality you admire most in a person: Character.

"Character to me is what you do when no one is looking. " What sports teams are you loyal to: Seattle aAd Washington State University teams What was your first car: Black Volkswagen Bug Best advice you ever received: "Treat everybody like a customer."

College degree: Business management and economics major at WSU. Historical figure(s) you admire: William Hewlett and David Packard

In Person: Bob Weis

'

SHAWN GUST/Press

Bob Weis took over as the executive director of Human Rights Education Institute on April 1.

WEIS from

11

tion to respect the individual and learn from the C1 individual."

He said he has been for driving the vision, able to travel around the mission and values, world multiple times, met strategic planning and many people, and worked longterm financial via- with diverse teams. bility of the organizaWeis said he has seen tion. He also provides "the power of what you supervision. direction get out of a diverseand control of the thinking organization, or development and fund- a diverse culture that can raising. bring new ideas and new Weis has 34 years methods." of experience in the He joined HP in 1979, high-tech industry, and worked in a variety and is working his way of marketing roles in toward retirement. His his early years before professional experience being asked to lead the includes work in mar- marketing of HP's first keting, sales, research inkjet-technology printer, a nd development and "Deskjet." manufactwing.

The success of the "Running a nonprof- product line and experiit is new, but it's still a ence gained led him to the role of general manbusiness," Weis said.

Most recently, Weis ager of HP's Deskjet busiwas a senior vice presi- ness. dent of sales at Corsair . He was later named in the Bay Area. the HP general manBefore Corsair, Weis ager and vice president was with Microsoft. responsible for HP's U.S. Prior to that, Weis had consumer business that a 28-year career at included all printers, ink Hewlett-Packard. and toner and consumer "I think corporapersonal computer and tions are much further notebook businesses. In ahead than conununi- this role. he managed ties when it comes to divers ity, multi-cultural training, (and) awareness," Weis said. '1 was brought up in a company, HewlettPackard, where our founders Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard were just huge believers in individuals, and so it permeated through the organiza-

both the marketing and U.S. sales team.

Now, along with working to ensure recognition of individuals and creating strength throug h diversity, Weis has set two other impor tant goals for the institute while he is executive director. ''We have to provide some value to this community, not only when you walk in our door here - that you're being educated and learning - but also the education that we take out," he said. "And the fou rth goal is probably the most controversial, but the one I'm most excited. about working on. That's really what I call, 'Learn, respect and leverage' from Coeur d'Alene's past. But turn

the page, and get ready for its futu re."

One of the institute's primary chalJenges is finding funding.

"If we're not adding value to (North Idaho) businesses, helping th em recruit and bring in a diverse workforce into this comm un ity, we won't get the funding we need," Weis said.

Weis and his wife, June, have three grown daughters, Jenny, 27, Lindsey, 25, and Madison, 20.

The Weises enjoy spending summer weekends with friends and family at Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Staying active is a priority for Bob 'and June Weis, and this has led them to be active runners and enjoy time on their bikes.

Avery colorful display HREI welcomes first LGBT exhibit

By DEVIN HEILMAN

dheilman@cdapress.com

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COEUR d' ALENE Rainbow flags are hanging above the new exhibit in the l;luman Rights Education Institute, and just in time to celebrate Lesbian, Gay. Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month .

The public was welcome to view the 2014 LGBT Pride Exhibit during its opening reception Friday, which included on-site community advocates and refreshments. It is the first LGBT display in the institute.

"It holds a lot of meaning for us, in that we can be here," said exhibit codesigner Juli Stratton of Post Falls. Stratton, who is also the chair of the Coeur d'Alene chapter of Parents. Friends. and Family of Lesbians and Gays (PFlAG), said the reception was a great way to bring the community together because "that is what we're about," she said.

The educational exhibit chronicles the history of the LGBT community

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LGBT from A1 from well before the 1900s to the current date.

It provides definitions and contexts for symbols and flags used within the LGBT community and highlights important LGBT people and events of the second half of the 20th century. Visitors can expect to read about the Stonewall Riots in 1969, the first pride march a year later, the origin of PFLAG in the '70s, the AIDS outbreak in the '80s, the surge of hate crimes in the '90s and the political movements of the early 2000s to present day.

'The '60s and '70s were huge because that's where it all started to say we need to be treated fairly,'' Stratton said. "At least to be treated as second-class rather than third-class citizens."

Di Carlin, president of the Coeur d'Alene Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity, conducted research for the display.

She said the way to teach people about cliversiry is to expose them to new ideas and information. ''You can't expect people who don't know anything about (LGB1) people to be understanding of something that they've always been taught is wrong,'' she said. 'They need to have good quality information presented to them in a non-confrontational manner, and that's what we're trying to do."

Patrick Pellett of

Clarkston, Wash., was the first of several visitors to peruse the exhibit.

"I know a lot of the broad strokes and the big, impactful events, but I didn't know a lot of the in-between stuff," he said.

"Whal this display does is fill in a lot of gaps in my knowledge and just gives me more context to understand. It's a wonderful display."

Stratton said the exhibit, especially the section on modern political movements, shines a light on the equality the LGBT community is seeking and the battle its members have fought.

'We're standing up and saying, We want equality,"' Stratton said. 'We want to be treated just like everybody else. We are just like everybody else. All we want to do is live our lives to our fullest potential.

'Tm baffled as to what people are so afraid of," Stratton continued. "I can't answer it except for what they don't know, they're afraid of. That's why we have to do exhibits like this, to show people we're just like everybody else."

The 2014 LGBT Pride Exhibit wilt be available to the public until June 30. It was made possible by the partnership of several local organizations, including the Gender and Sexuality Alliance of North Idaho College and the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations.

The HREI is located at 414 Mullan Road.

Info: www.hrei.org.

North Idaho

-;J7., 11 e -, 2.o/Lf

Photos by SHAWN GUST/Press

Amy Echelberger, of Post Falls, reads a part of the 2014 LGBT Pride Exhibit that includes information on gay rights from the 2000s Friday at the Human Rights Education Institute in Coeur d'Alene .

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HREl's first LGBT exhibit includes photos, history, news, inspirational quotes and other items in support of the LGBT community.

COEUR d' ALENE

SERVING

KOOTENAI

COUNTY

SINCE

1892

www.cdapress.com

Tuesday June 17, 2014

-

Another Idaho city 'adds the words'

By EMILIE RITIER SAUNDERS

protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans. boisestatepublicradio. gender people. org Victor is the eighth Idaho city to approve a A small town on non-discrimination ordiIdaho's border with nance. It says people Wyoming is the latest can't be discriminated city to approve employ- against based on their ment, housing and public accommodation see WORDS, A2.

and equality issue."

He says there haven't from been a lot of instances of discrimination in Victor. sexual orientation or gen'1t's the job of a city to der identity. take care of the health, The city of Coeur safety and welfare of citid'Alene adopted a similar zens, and this ordinance law a year ago. does exactly that," Smith Victor Mayor Zach said.

Smith says Victor's City Victor has fewer than Council unanimously 2,000 residents, many of approved the measure whom work in nearby because it's a "fairness Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

WORDS A1

Victor's economy is largely service-based, catering to tourists and recreationists.

Seven other Idaho cities, including Boise, Pocatello, Sandpoint, Moscow and Ketchum, have passed similar protections because the state Legislature has refused to update Idaho's human rights act to include antidiscrimination language

that protects LGBT people.

The ordinance went into effect Monday.

Mayor Smith says it's unlikely the ordinance will be challenged.

"It doesn't matter, Republican or Democrat, people believe people should have equal rights,' Smith adds. '1 would say 90 percent of the community is for this ordinance."

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Cd'A Fourth of July parade winners announced COEUR d'ALENE The Coeur d'Alene Area Chamber of Commerce announces the category winners for the American Heroes Fourth of July Parade.

Winners can come to ,the chamber of com: merce to pick up their trophies.

Here are the winners: • Classic and 1 Antique Autos/Clubs Transcamz Camaro and Firebird Club • Clubs/Organizations -Kootenai County Task Force on Human

Relations • Commercial/ Business - Paci.fie Steel and Recycling • Drill/Marching Unit - Blazen Divaz • Equestrian Kootenai County 4-H • Marching/Live Band - The PerfectionNots · • Communjty The Coeur d'Alene Commodores • Novelty - Snake Pit Derby Dames • Schools/Churches/ Social Services Heritage Health.

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

PAGE A 6 â&#x20AC;˘ TUESDA Y â&#x20AC;˘ J ULY 15, 2014

Racist message cleared from marker A racist message scrawled on a historical marker on the Coeur d'Alene Indian reservation was removed Monday.

Someone wrote on the sign about the DeSmet Mission at U.S. Highway 95 and DeSmet Road in Benewah County.

The Idaho Department of Transportation removed the graffiti.

"It will always be up to the community and those who live here to continue to stand up against hateful actions such as this," said Heather Keen, public relations director for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.

Tony Stewart, a member of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations board, said in a statement, "This is clearly a hate crime with the intent to promote anger and hatred directed at the good people of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. It is unfortunately another example to rem.ind us that we still have a challenge in eradicating racism from the world's society."

Gov. Butch Otter condemned the graffiti.

"This kind of hate-filled sentiment has no place in Idaho."

The Press, Friday, September 19, 2014

SECTION

C Looking back at the civil rights movement ated Equal: America's Civil Rights Struggle."

After each film is screened, a discussion about the movie will be led by a humanities facilitator.

'The community will benefit (from the screenings) by reviewBy KEITH COUSINS ing our struggles for civil rights kcousins@cdapress.com and to honor those who have COEUR d'ALENE -The Hu- helped advance the movement of human rights," said Lisa Manning, man Rights Education lnstitute On Wednesday at 6 p.m., the will be screening four docufirst film, "Slavery by Another meo tary fiJms focused on the civil rights movement, starting Name," will be shown at the instiWednesday. tute. According to lhe release, the The four-week series is made film "suggests that even though possible through a grant from slavery had ended with U1e Civil the New York-based Lehrman War, new forms of forced labor Institute of American History in kept thousands of African Americans in bondage." The film is cooperation with the National based on a 2008 Pulitzer PrizeEndowment for the Humanities.

According to a press release, the winning book of tl1e same name $1,200 grant was recently awarded by Douglas Blackman.

Norm Gissel, a civil rights attorto the institute and is titled "Cre-

HREI to show four documentaries starting next week

ney, will serve as the facilitator for tl1e discussion following the film.

The following three documentaries will be shown Oct 1, 8, and 15 at6 p.m.

In the press release, Anneliese Miller, president of the HRE1 Board of Directors, urged the public and especially s tudents to attend the series.

"We could not be more pleased to have received this outstanding grant allowing us to begin a regional conversation concerning human rights," Miller said in the release.

Gonzaga University and the Spokane Public Library received identical grants to, according to the release, ¡'anchor a regional conversation concerning human rights by the three grantees."

The four-week series is free and open to the public.

PAGE AS I TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2014

SPOKESMAN.COM/PICTURE-STORIES

VIEW PHOTOS AND SLIDESHOWS OF THE CARLTON COMPLEX FIRE

IN BRIEF From staff reports

casino drops Ted Nugent show over complaints of racism The Co.ei_.ir d'Alene Casino dumped rock mus1c1an Ted Nugent from its ~uID!11er s7hedule Monday, saying his racist attitudes and views" have no place there.

"We know what it's like to be the target of hateful messages and we would neve~ w~t to. perpetuate hate in any way, said Chief Allan, chairman of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.

Nugent, 65, was scheduled to perfo,rm Aug. 4 at the tribe's casino-hotel in Worley, south of Coeur d'Alene.

Complaints about the booking grew Monday after the Southern Poverty Law Center called attention to the

appearance, labeling it a "PR disaster."

Nugent sometimes wears a Native American headdress onstage and mocks those campaigning to change sports team names such as Redskins and Savages, according to the center.

Nugent's Worley show - part of his SHUTUP&JAM! tour - was squeezed between two nights at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma and a performance. at the Portland Expo Center.

The Coeur d'Alene Casino will refund full ticket prices for the show. Call (800) 523-2464 to arrange for a refund.

Scott Maben

Contact the city desk: (509) 459-5403; fax (509:

COEUR d' ALENE Tuesday October 14, 2014

S ERVING

KOOTENAI

COUNTY

SINCE

1892

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'Tireless' leader to enter Hall Month before House term ends, Henderson, 91, to be inducted to Idaho Hall of Fame

By BRIAN WALKER

bwalker@cdapress.com SHAWN GUST/Press file

Frank Henderson makes a speech after being honored as one of two Veterans of the Year by the Post Falls Veterans Committee on May 26.

Henderson will be inducted to the Idaho Hall of Fame during a private ceremony on Oct. 18.

AS

The Press

HALL

POST FALLS - Whenever Frank Henderson has seen a need to help his community, state or nation. he has responded in search for a solution.

"Tsaw it as a challenge to contribute to a solution:¡ said the World War Il veteran. politiciru1 and former newspaper

publisher from Posl Falls. "Solutions have always been a part of me."

Henderson, who at 91 is the oldest lawmaker to serve in the Idaho Legislature. will become the 10th Kootenai County resident to be inducted into the Idaho Hall of Fame. He will be honored during a private ceremony Saturday.

"He is tireless in his devotion lo his community, stale and the nation," said Freeman Duncan, who has worked with Henderson on projects since 1977 and is

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

him. He is an1azing."

Local civil rights leader from A1 Tony Stewart, a Hall of Fame board member and a Hall of Fame board inductee, said Henderson member. "I have never is a role model.

"Frank's legacy of suebeen able to keep up with

cessful public service is a model for those young leaders who are taking on the roles of public service in our region and the state of Idaho," Stewart said.

But Henderson wants

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''Fr~nk's legacy of successful public service is a model for those young leaders who are taking on the roles of public service in our region and the¡state of Idaho."

the record to state that it takes people working together to make progress happen.

"No one does anything by themselves," he said.

"It takes a community. It takes everyone working together."

Henderson's home TONY STEWART, Hall of Fame board member, inductee office is covered with up being the quarterback ed 20 assignments in seven awards, including for and a captain." countries and was awarded his efforts with the Boy Henderson is the only a Lifetime Achievement Scouts, economic developsurviving charter member Award from President ment, Post Falls Library, senior citizens, the environ- of American Legion Post George Bush in 2004.

In November 2004, ment and veterans groups. 143 in Post Falls, which Henderson was elected But he said the honor is the largest post in the to the Idaho House. He is of being inductea into the state. He was named a chairman of the Business Idaho Hall of Fame ranks Post Falls Veteran of the Year this year.

Committee. "very high."

As a Boy Scout leader, Henderson's economic "It's always been my Henderson earned the development efforts have ambition to be a model for others," he said of why Silver Beaver, the highest led to the recruitment of companies such as Buck the award means so much honor the organization Knives, Cabela's and to him. "It gives emphasis gives to adults.

Henderson bought the Kimball Office (formerly to public service." former weekly Post Falls Harper's and Flexcel), Since 1985, the Hall Tribune newspaper in construction of the of Fame has honored residents, groups and busi- 1976. As Post Falls' mayor Interstate 90 interchange nesses "that help shape the from 1979 to 1983, he was near Cabela's, Highway 95 improvements and a fabric and culture of Idaho." instrumental in the city, constructing its wastewa- program which minimizes Henderson's term in startup costs for expanding the Idaho House expires ter treatment system.

Henderson .was one or relocating businesses.

Nov. 30. He said he plans of only two mayors from On the environmento take a step back from Idaho who President tal side. he worked public service and tune on establishing North into his ham radio more, Ronald Reagan invited to the White House to Idaho's water adjudicabut will be available to ' discuss programs for tion program in whk h answer questions on 1 small cities. Later, Reagan water 1ights are declared. issues if needed. and co-sponsored a bill to invited him to be his "l have told some of the people that if they are guest at the landing of the protect the aquifer as the 1 elected, they're welcome Discovery space shuttle. region's drinking water As a Kootenai County source. to call," Henderson said.

Serving in the commissioner from 1983 "But I will not step out Legislature. Henderson and be in front. I'll be sup- to 1990, Jienderson said, has been his most spearheaded the effort portive. There are some to fund and build a new challenging assignment. very talented and ambi''You have to work tious people and we need county jail. He was chairman of the Panhandle effectively with 104 other to use them.'' legislators to gain Lhcir Area Council from 1986 Henderson has never to 1991, a co-founder of acceptance and respect," been one to back down Kootenai Perspectives he said . from a challenge. and served as a director Re1lecting on his ser"When I was in marvice, Henderson said he's keting, I was the trouble- for Jobs Plus.

From 1993 to 2004, proud. shooter," he said. "When "It makes life really satHenderson served in the there was a problem, isfying," he said. "If 1 want they said, ' Let's give this International Executive Service Corps, helping to feel good, all I have to to Henderson.' When I teach governance and do is look around Kootenai played football in high school, I was a 145-pound democracy to former Soviet- County and see the progbloc countries. He complet- ress that has been made." pipsqueak, but l ended

Gay son opens mom's eyes to need for equality for all .

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I love the beautiful state of Idaho and I am glad to call Coeur d'Alene my home. However, it saddens me that it can be such a hostile place for those who want equal rights when it comes to marriage.

Happily that is changing.

I owe a lot of gratitude to our young people.

I used to be on the side of inequality when it came to gay marriage, until I experienced it within my own family.

It was approximately four years ago. Our son (he was 16 at the time) OPINION came to me one night in absolute tears, he ¡. was in utter . desperation.

I asked hin1, Kelly ''Whatever is Fergus on wrong?" He M T ¡ Y urn said through his tears, ''Mom, what is the worst thing your child could ever tell you?"

I thought long and hard and replied, 'That you didn't want to live anymore." He said, "Well l thought about that, but no that is not it" I said, "What is it honey?

Whatever it is we are here for you." He said, "Mom I am gay. I have tried to deny it for so long because I know how you and dad feel about this, but I can no longer deny who I am.''

I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him on the forehead and told him, "I have suspected you were gay since you were 3 years old (but I was in denial too, because of what the church taught me from the pulpit)."

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I told him, "It's going to be OK We are here for you and we will get thrnugb this together. We love you no matter what."

See, my children were raised in the church. We homeschooled all :five of our kids. We were Sunday school teachers, very active in the church and the community, the whole nine yards.

Our son listened to the sermons that were preached from the pulpit: "Homosexuality is a sin.

You will burn in hell ... " H~ knew what the_ Bible said. He could recite . . , scnpture like nobody s business. The po~try that he wrote about his love for G?d was so amazingly beautiful and profound, but that has all changed.

Th h h ¡ . e c urc . ostracized his so-called lifesty)e. He was told he was gomg to go to ~ell if he didn't change his so-called '.'wic_ked b~havior," as if this was Just a fad or a phase he "":as g~ing through. As if he Just woke up one day and said, "I think I will tick off my parents and God today and 'choose' to be gay." . We've heard that if he Just prayed hard enough o_r said the prayers just :1ght, God woul~ see to it that he be delivered from his so,called deviant behavior. Needless to say we left the church and that's when my studying began. The blinders were removed from my eyes.

1n recent years many preachers, C?ngressmen, all walks of life have '

oeen caught committing so-called deviant acts of homosexuality. They tried to live a heterosexual lifestyle and deny who they really are, but U1ey knew deep down inside they were born gay.

If you believe that homosexuality is a sin and a choice I plead with you to ask yourself, who on Earth would ever choose to be LGBT in such a hostile, bigoted, and hatredfi lled society? In a society that taunts and teases the LGBT community relentlessly? Would you sign up for that?

Nobody likes to be harassed and bullied. How could that be a choice? It is sad that people bury their heads in the sand and quote a few verses from the Bible to spew their hate speech on fellow human beings who are not the same as they are. How can God bate my son?

God created him to be the person he is! Just like he created you and me! .Through my research I found some startling facts about the amount of LGBT teens and young adults who attempt to take their own lives and unfortunately many of them succeed. Being a homosexual in North Idal10 is not a fun place to be, because of the rnisinformed, uninformed, or

downright bigotry that takes place. They (LGB1) truly are treated like second-class citizens at best I have learned so much from my beautiful son. I couldn't be more proud of who he is. I do apologize for what he has endured during his young years, including my own stupidity. I wouldn't change him or who he is for anything io the world. With him coming out to me, it has completely changed my life. I am a better human being because of my son!

If you are one who spews hatred, in the name of God or otherwise, please take the time to get informed. It wasn't that long ago when AfricanAmericans were treated like second-class citizens and unfortunately, still are in many places. I can remember when my niece brought home a black man. The older members of my family were appalled, which is embarrassing to admit that my family was so disgustingly wrong in their thinking, but I am trying to make a point. My niece is now married to her amazing husband and they have six beautiful kids. At one time they considered moving to Coeur d'Alene, but were afraid because of the known bigotry of the area.

People, we need to wake up. ALL people are created equal and should be treated as such. Who an1 I to tell someone else how to live their lives and who to love? I am so grateful that I have fallen off my arrogant, misinformed, and misguided horse of inequality.

Please fellow human beings, have a heart.

Treat others the way you would like to be treated. I believe the best thing that could happen to everyone is that they have a child, grandchild. niece, nephew ... who happens to be gay.

It certainly removed the blinders from my eyes and it can happen to you, too. I'm hopeful anyway.

Let's love one another and let everyone choose with whom they would love to marry.

Will you please join me?

Kelly Ferguson is a Coeur d'Alene resident

COEUR d' ALENE

I KOOTENAI

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www.cdapress.com - - - - -

Friday October 24, 2014

Partly cloudy High 57, Low 40 Weather, A2

No violations, but plenty of opinions City: No discrimination complaints yet

By MAU REEN DOLAN Wednesday that he's difference, said longtime mdolan@cdapress.com unaware of human rights leader Tony any disStewart.

COEUR d' ALENE crirnination ' .

Stewart, a founding No one has ever been complaints ~~-~!~ f" ¡ member of the Kootenai County Task Force on cited for violating the anti- being filed in ¡v .... discrimination ordinance the city since Hwnan Relations, said at the heart of a federal the ordinance people experiencing dis. civil rights lawsuit filed banning dis- Stewart crimination usually seek last week against the city crimination the task force for help. of Coeur d'Alene by the based on sexual orienta"We've had one call owners of the Hitching tion was adopted in June since il passed," Stewart Post wedding chapel.

2013. said.

City Attorney Mike Still, having the law see ORDINANCE, A2 Gridley told The Press on the books has made a

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In that case, a small business owner presented some new policies to his employees. The employment directives covered a worker - a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community - in an unacceptable way, Stewart said.

Norm Gissel, another local human rights leader, contacted the business owner.

"Within four hours the policy was dropped, because of the ordinance," Stewart said. "We never released the employer's name, because he did the right thing. It never went to the city."

Before the ordinance was adopted, Stewart said trying to help people was frustrating because there was no law protecting against this type of discrimination.

He said a student at North Idaho College contacted the task force

a ye.a r prior to the law's adoption and reported that her landlord threw her out of her apartment after learning that she was a lesbian.

"He couldn't do that to her now," Stewart said.

The ordinance bans discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. It is a misdemeanor offense punishable by a maximum penalty of $1,000 per incident and six months in jail.

The lawsuit against the city, filed by attorneys last week in federal court, claims that under the ¡ city's ordinance, Don and Evelyn Knapp, ordained Christian ministers who own the Hitching Post, a business in which they marry couples for a fee, are being forced to solemnize same-sex marriages.

The ordinance exempts religious entities, but the Knapps' business is not exempt because it is organized and registered as a

for-profit limited liability company.

News of the lawsuit prompted dozens of online reports - mainly by conservative media outlets - that the city is threatening to arrest and jail the Knapps.

The city says it hasn't taken any action against the couple and has not received any complaint that the Hitching Post owners have broken any law.

The lawsuit claims the Hitching Post owners received a call Oct. 17 asking for a same-sex ceremony. The Knapps declined.

According to the lawsuit, for each tlay the Knapps decline to perform the ceremony, the couple racks up another $1,000 fine and another six months in jail.

"Thus, if the Knapps decline a same-sex wedding ceremony for just one week, they risk going to jail for over three years and being fined $7,000," states the court document.

City Attorney Warren Wilson told The Press that might be the case, if it was a "continuing violation."

But it's not.

Wilson said if a business declines to serve someone because "we don't serve your type," and then several days later, they do it again, that would be two incide nts, not a continuing violation.

'This is not intended in any way to be a harsh or overly punitive ordinance," Wilson said.

Coeur d'Alene Police Sgt. Christie Wood said her department has never received any calls from anyone even asking about filing a complaint under the anti-discrimination ordinance.

"If we ever do receive a complaint from a citizen, a report will be taken and it will be properly investigated," Wood said. "It will then be forwarded to the City Attorney's Office for legal review."

THE SPOKESMAN-REV IEW

PA GE 8 6 â&#x20AC;˘ SATURDAY â&#x20AC;˘ OCTOBER 25. 2014

NORTH W EST

CdA.chapel draws .support Preachers demonstrated outside city hall

By Mike Prager mikep@spokesman.com.

(509) 459-5454

Three men who describe themselves as street preachers staged a demonstration Friday outside of Coeur d'Alene City Hall to show support for the Hitching Post wedding chapel's refusal to provide same-sex marriage services.

They were joined by a handful of supporters. ''We are a nation that is not on a solid foundation

with God," said minister Bruce Wakeman, of Spokane Valley.

The preachers railed at Coeur d'Alene's new antidiscrimination ordinance that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

At the same time, Idaho's ban on same-sex marriage was struck down by a federal judge last spring, leading to legalization of samesex marriages in Idaho last week.

Donald and Evelyn Knapp, owners of the

Hitching Post and both ministers, have filed a federal lawsuit against the city seeking to prevent the city from enforcing the ordinance on their business based on religious freedom.

City officials this week said the Knapps may well be exempt The city was inundated with emails and phone calls supporting the Knapps.

Evelyn Knapp said Friday it .appears the city is backing away from any possible enforcement of the ordinance against the Hitching Post's decision to not marry same-sex cou-

pies.

In a related development, the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations issued a letter Thursday that religious activity such as weddings is exempt from the ordinance.

That view was reached in consultation with constitutional legal experts, the letter said.

However, religious beliefs cannot be used to justify discrimination for sexual orientation in areas of housing, employment and public accommodations, the task force said.

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Hitching Post exempt East coast woman files complaint under Cd'A ordinance; city won't pursue charges

By MAUREEN DOLAN

mdolan@cdapress.com COEUR d'ALENE - A Massachusetts woman filed a complaint with Coeur d'Alene city police Thursday claiming she called the Hitching Post · that morning and was refused a same-sex wedding.

It was the first time the city's

anti-discrimination ordinance was cited in a report to police.

The ordinance makes denying employment, housing and other "public accommodations" based on sexual orientation a misdemeanor offense.

"After reviewing the allegations and investigation, the (city) prosecutor has declined to pursue criminal charges because the Hitching

Post is a religious corporation that is exempt from the city's antidiscrimination ordinance," states a press release issued Friday. afternoon by the city's communications coordinator.

The wedding chapel has been at the center of a national media frenzy since last week when attorneys for its owners, Don and Evelyn Knapp, filed a federal

Inside • A statement from the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relation~ / A2 • Rally at Cd'A City Hall supports traditional marriage/ C1

civil rights lawsuit against the city of Coeur d'Alene. The suit see EXEMPT, A2

mMPT from A1 claims that under the city's anti-discrimination ordinance the couple is being forced to violate their religious beliefs and perform same-sex unions.

The city's determination that the Hitching Post is exempt because it is a religious corporation is a departure from the initial stance the city attorney's office took on the matter.

In a letter sent Monday to the Knapps' legal team, City Attorney Mike Gridley wrote: "If they are operating as a legitimate not-for-profit religious corporation, then they are exempt from the ordinance like any other church or religious association."

Because the wedding chapel is set up as a for-

profit business, a registered limited liability company, it appeared, based on Gridley's letter, that the city would not exempt the Hitching Post from the ordinance.

However, 12 days before the lawsuit was filed, the Knapps created an LLC operating agreement that says the Hitching Post is a forprofit business and it is a religious corporation.

Gridley sent a letter to the Knapps' attorney Thursday with a "clarification" of his earlier letter.

He wrote that it is now his opinion and the city's position that "as currently represented, the conduct by Hitching Post Weddings LLC is exempt from the requirements of the ordinance and would not be subject to prosecution under the ordinance if a complaint was

received by the city."

The city's new position aligns with that of the American Civil Liberties Union and the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations.

The ACLU issued a statement Thursday that it will not challenge the wedding chapel's refusal to perform same-sex marriages based on its designation as a religious corporation. ACLU leaders said they would, however, reconsider their decision if the Hitching Post begins offering nonreligious services such as providing flowers or cakes, or begins holding non-religious marriage ceremonies.

The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, a local human rights organization, presented a similar position statement to city officials Friday.

City police investigators learned that the Massachusetts woman who filed the complaint against the Hitching Post was already married to a woman in that state.

The complainant told police by phone from Massachusetts that "an old lady" at the Hitching Post told her they would not provide the wedd ing service because it would be a violation of the owners' religious beliefs.

Evelyn "Lynn" Knapp told the police investigator that the woman ca11ed two times Thursday morning.

"Lynn said this female was yelling at her and calling her a ¡redneck' and a 'bigot,"' states the police report.

Knapp told police the caller never requested a wedding, so Knapp didn't have to refuse service.

Task force: Ordinance does not apply to ministers The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations delivered the following statement to Coeur d'Alene city officials Friday.

\

its purpose and enforcement in preventing discrimination that targets this particular minority in our community. We commend the Coeur d'Alene City Council for meeting their conDear Mayor Steve Widmyer stitutional and moral responsibilities on June 4, 2013 with and the Coeur d'Alene City the adoption of this ordinance Council: removing the second-class status of this sexual minority.

Our KCTFHR Board of It has always been our Directors met today and position that the ordinance agreed to forward this letter would exempt religious instituto you regarding the issue of the Hitching Post Chapel and tions recognizing their First the City of Coeur d'Alene's Amendment rights when it Anti-Discrimination Ordinance comes to establishing facilities or sanctuaries where they conthat provides protection from discrimination for members of duct religious services, practice the LGBT/Gender Identity and their faith, study and advocate Expression community. their religious tenants, hire As the initiator of the proand supervise the employees posed ordinance beginning for example at their church, on Feb. 4, 2013, we were and temple, synagogue, or mosque. continue to be committed to They are also free to establish

and operate a religious school for their families. We respect and defend those religious freedoms.

Having said that, we oppose the argument that one can use one's religious beliefs to discriminate against, for example a sexual minority, in the public secular arena in housing, businesses/employment and public accommodations. For government to allow such exceptions based on religious grounds, would literally open the door to all forms of discrimination in violation of the U. S. Constitution's Fourteenth Amendment.

We find the question of the Hitching Post Chapel and the city ordinance a more complex q_uestion. That being the case, we have spent the past few days in discussion with some promi-

nent national organizations and constitutional lawyers. The facts seem to be that there are two ordained ministers solely providing a service limited to wedding ceremonies at the Hitching Post Chapel.

With these facts in mind, we received the following opinion and advice from our constitutional experts: "When they are performing a religious activity like marrying people, ministers have the right to choose which marriages they will solemnize. That's why we don't think the public accommodation law applies to ministers making choices about performing marriages. So, if the only service offered is a religious wedding ceremony performed by a minister, then the law would not apply. But that reasonable exception

doesn't change the general rule that businesses that open their doors to the public to provide services, including¡services related to weddings, cannot turn people away just because of who they are."

Based upon these facts and findings, we believe the City of Coeur d'Alene AntiDiscrimination Ordinance due to the religious exemption is not at issue and is not impacted regarding performing weddings by ordained ministers at the Hitching Post Chapel in Coeur d'Alene.

Sincerely.

Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations Christie Wood, president; Michelle Fink, vice president; Ellen Stamsos, treasurer; Tony Stewart, secretary

The Press, Saturday, October 25, 2014

SECTION

C Anti-gay marriage protest draws opposition

Photos: TESS FREEMAN/Press

NIC students Robert Wilson, left, and Zach Mahaney argue with Tom Meyer and Val (who would not disclose her last name to the Press) regarding same-sex marriage outside Coeur d'Alene City Hall on Friday morning. Ten people participated in a rally in support of the North Idaho Hitching Post's stance on traditional marriage.

Rally supports traditional marriage, Hitching Post

By DEVIN HEILMAN d hei lman@cdapress.com

COEUR d' ALENE -

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peaceful rally had a few intense moments Friday afternoon in front of Coeur d'Alene City Hall.

Perturbed passersby exchanged words with a small group of same-sexmarriage opponents who spent several hours sharing their opinions vocally while holding signs and flags.

Zach Mahaney, of Coeur d'Alene, said he decided to confront the people rallying after reading a shirt worn by one of the men. The words promoted violence against gay men, suggesting they should be put to death.

'Tm not the type of person to yell or get angry but that stuff bugs me. It really bugs me," Mahaney said. "I don't understand."

About 10 people stood for three hours voicing their support for Don and Lynn Knapp, owners of the Hitching Post, the Coeur d'Alene wedding chapel which has gained media attention for declining to officiate over samesex unions. They also vocalized their opinions against homosexuality

Joe Berezny, left, and Greg Ainley participate in a rally in support of the North Idaho Hitching Post outside Coeur d'Alene City Hall on Friday afternoon.

and spoke in support of "Christian rights."

The rally occurred in response to the anti-discrimination ordinance at the core of a federal civil rights lawsuit the Knapps filed against the city last week.

People on both sides of the issue are concerned and speaking about it A few people at th rally spoke into a loudspeaker system.

"You are telling some-

one, and it goes against their religious belief, and saying, 'If you don't follow what we say, even though you don't agree with us. we're going to fine you, we can throw you in jail, we can fin you $1,000 a day,"' said a man who would not allow his name to be published.

"Does that sound like freedom of speech? No, that sounds like 'Mein Kampf."'

'This sounds like Germany. 1bis sounds

like Russia," he contin¡ ued. 'That's what this is going to, and if they tak away freedom of speech of Christians, trust me, your freedom of speech is going down, too."

Tom Meyer of Rathdrum joined his daughters and grandkids in holding signs and waving American and Idaho State flags. He said he feels gay marriage is "an abomination." see RALL V, C2

RALLY C1

from

"I'm just a Christian and I find it abhorrent

that the homosexual community can have so much pressure to get special rights. There should be no group that has that kind of power to say, 'OK,

you must serve me,"' Meyer said. "If there was a homosexual Elks club or something, would I be able to go into their meeting hall and say, 'OK, I want to come in here and I want to preach the gospel?' Would the city of Coeur d'Alene make them open their doors to me?

No, I doubt that, because the homosexual community has such a hold on people - I don't understand why they expect to have special rights."

North Idaho College student Robert Wilson of Coeur d'Alene saw the rally on his way to class and came back, he said, because he felt personally insulted by the messages on the signs. He has two gay aunts and supports gay marriage.

'This }cipd of stung," he said. "It hurts because that's really c\ose to my heart and I jusY.had to come. and say something to them. This is not right." .

He said he is elated that the ban on same-sex marriage was lifted in Idaho because he grew up with friends who are members of the gay community and .he has seen the negativ~ effects the restrictions and condemnations have on young gay people. ¡; ¡ "It's causing kids to be sad and do crazy things like end their own lives because of what people think," he said. "Hopefully this will change that, and make people equal; that's all it means."

Wilson said be would definitely appear at a siniilar rally to stand on the opposing side.

'This can't happen where I live," Wilson said.

"I don't like it."

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Love got lost along the way

After reading the latest round of gay marriage lamentations in The Press I went into my garage to check something. Yup, there it was. A sign. One of hundreds, OPINION perhaps thousands that were distributed 10-15 years ago.

You could find them in yards Dave and busiWalker nesses all MyTurn over the county.

Most of my friends and associates displayed them. A nice, campaign quality sign with a silkscreened image of our state and the words, "Idaho the Human Rights State." I stood there and looked at it for a few minutes, wondering what happened.

Living here all my life, I've always taken pride in our sense of community and positive attitudes. A friendly, welcoming type of town.

Well, we used to be anyway. Things sure have taken an ugly turn over the years.

The most recent and glaring example of the How Angry Can Our Community Get Award is with the gay marriage issue. And we have the poor owners of the Hitching Post itching to sue the City over it. I can understand a business owner refusing to accept customers for obvious reasons.

Reasons like nobody covered in pig slop should get a seat in a restaurant reasons.

But to deny service to someone based on their personal and private life, well, that doesn't make sense to me at all.

The Knapps are in the business of marrying people (although they're the first people I've ever heard of who are against a boost in their own business). I think it's safe to say the majority of the customers they get are in one of two categories. Speed and convenience is the first; their location just a couple hundred feet ¡ from where couples get their marriage license.

The other would be

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that the happy couple doesn't want a religious ceremony, probably because they are not religious. So, get your ticket, cross the street and get it punched. How easy is that? The Hitching Post is the closest you can come to a drive-thru wedding without being in Vegas.

But maybe this is the new preferred way to get married in Idaho. One of my favorite stats is that Idaho now rates, per cap, ita, No. 3 in America for people who've been married three times or more.

Yes indeed, the sanctity of traditional marriage is alive and well in The Gem State.

So the Knapps have been running a marriage mill for years and now all of a sudden they have a problem with marrying people based on their own religious beliefs? Now they do. I wonder how . many pregnant brides they've married. Or weddings of "convenience."

Or third, fourth or fifth weddings. Or brides with a black.eye. Or "shotgun" weddipgs (we do so love our guns in.Idaho). But they've got to draw.the

line somewhere. And since people can hide their homophobia behind religion, well, there ya go.

Here's a solution for the Knapps. Hang a sigp in your front window that says, "We Hate Queers."

In rainbow colors of course. And feature it in your advertising and on your webpage. If you make your feelings well known I doubt that any of those dang homos will give the Hitching Post a second thought Problem solved. Save your legal fees.

It's not like people don't have other options.

Heck, I marry people and have a certificate to prove it And rather than in a brick pillbox, I perform weddings in backyards, parks, beaches, wherever a couple wants. I also work with the couple to create vows that are meaningful to them, not just some template wham-bam-now-you'remarried-will-that-be-cashcheck-or-credit vows. And I look forward to doing so with my first gay couple as well.

I'm an agnostic and don't have much use for organized religion. But I've been married for 37 years and I do fully . believe in something

called love. The only wedding virtues I "preach" to a couple are of uncondi¡ tional and mutual respect and support. And isn't that what marriage is all about? That and love? And who would I be to tell a couple in love that theirs is a "sick, unnatural" love? To tell them there is a certain stink about them? A stink so bad that I couldn't possibly marry them. What would that make me?

Sadly, we already have folks in our community who seem to make that their mission, or hobby. like it's any of their business.

Love is beautiful.

Religious persecution is not. If America is truly the Land of the Free, why do some Americans want to dictate what freedoms their fellow Americans can and can't have? If you want to hate people, then stand up and say so. Be honest and take pride in it so we know who you really are. But stop using God as your reason. It makes religion look exactly the opposite as you think it does. [f?,4

.press

"Reverend" Dave Walker is a Coeur d'Alene resident and former City Council member.

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Behind the 'legal ministry' A closer look at the attorneys representing the Hitching Post .

By KEITH COUSINS

kcousi ns@cdapress.com

COEUR d'ALENE - A federal lawsuit against the city of Coeur d'Alene is at a crossroads following a week of discourse revolving around the anti-discrimination ordinance at the center of the debate.

Lawyers with the Alliance Defending Freedom - a Christian rights advocacy

organization _:_ filed the lawsuit on behalf of Don and Evelyn Knapp, owners of the Hitching Post, in federal court on Oct 17.

The ADF immediately began a media campaign that has propelled Coeur d'Alene to the center of the national conversation on same-sex marriage. By early Friday evening, an article written by the ADF about the Hitching Post case had been shared via the group's Facebook page 15,444 times.

Coeur d'Alene City Attorney Mike Gridley, as well as entities such as the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations and the ACLU, have made public statements this week that the Hitching Post is exempt from the city's anti-discrimination ordinance due to its status as a religious corporation.

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Where the ADF stands, and how the group intends to move forward in light of these public comments, is uncertain. "'The future remains to be seen," said ADF spokesman Greg Scott "(ADF) can't really say much beyond that absent su~ stantive action by the city."

Since the lawsuit was filed, the Knapps have told The Press that the AD F would field any media inquiries on their behalf. It is unclear how the Arizona-based AD F came to represent the owners of the wedding chapel. Evelyn Knapp would not comment, and Scott told The Press in

'

'

an email that that is a "matter of attorney-client privilege." u

A Legal Ministry"

The Alliance Defending Freedom was founded in 1994, as the Alliance Defense Fund, with the goal ot according to its website, "defending the right to hear and speak the truth through strategy, training and litigation."

Numerous religious leaders - including, Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusades for Christ, and James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family were instrumental in starting the organization.

Today, the Alliance Defending Freedom operates out of Scottsdale, Ariz., with an annual bud-

....

get of $30 million. There are 44 lawyers on staff and an additional 2,400 lawyers that are called "allies" and work closely with the organization.

"ADF provides pro bono legal advocacy services to advance religious freedom, conscience freedom, free speech, sanctity of life, marriage and family," Scott said.

Attorney Alan Sears is the president, CEO and general counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom.

In 2003, he co-authored 'The Homosexual Agenda: Exposing the Principal Threat to Religious liberty Today'' with Craig Osten. The book asserts that the moral decline of America can be directly traced to the work of activists whose goal is to silence the church and promote a homosexual agenda.

The book drew sharp criticism from organizations such as the Southern Poverty Law Center, an Alabama-based organization that, according to its website, is dedicated to :fighting hate and bigotry and seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society.

In a publication entitled "Criminalizing Sex: Six U.S. Anti-Gay Groups Abroad," the center calls the book "rabidly antigay." The publication also states that the book argues that the demise of anti-sodomy laws will lead to overturning "laws against pedophilia, sex between close relatives, polygamy, bestiality and all other distortions and violations of God's plan."

The Southern Poverty Law Center piece goes on td criticize the ADF as a whole, particularly its policies in the area of same-sex marriage.

'Today, the group is increasingly committed to international anti-LGBT work," the publication states. "In January 2010, the ADF secured special consultative status at the UN. The following year, it sent out an alert celebrating a foreign law (Section 53 of the Belize criminal code) that punished LGBT advocacy of any kind with a 10-year prison sentence."

Scott declined to comment on any of the allegations made in the Southern Poverty Law Center publication, or to refute any of the assertions, such as the organization's $30 million budget, to the Press.

"Being an active federal appellate court and Supreme Court advocate, ADF only responds to serious analysis from credible sources," Scott said. "We don't respond to demagoguery."

On its website, the ADF states it has won eight out of every 10 cases it has litigated to conclusion, including 38 victories in the US Supreme Court In his email to The Press, Scott cited several cases ADFhas been involved in.

On.e in particular, Conestoga Wood Specialties v. Burwell, was heard in conjunction with Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. in the US Supreme Court In the suit ADF lawyers, on behalf of Norman Hahn - the owner of Conestoga Wood Specialties - successfully appealed a lower court decision that Hahn's business did not qualify for a religious exemption from providing Affordable Health Care Act coverage.

Scott added that the ADF has successfully litigated "more Obamacare mandate cases" than any other nonprofit legal group.

According to its webBrandt said she has studied Coeur d'Alene's site, the ADF has 200 anti-discrimination ordiactive cases in various stages of the legal process. nance, as well as the legal documents filed by ADF on behalf of the Knapps.

"Flare-Ups" She also spoke to City Liz Brandt is a profesAttorney Mike Gridley sor of family law at the about the issue.

University ofldaho. She "If the lawsuit contindescribes herself as a law ues to move forward, I professor with an activist think the Hitching Post background, particularly in would have a very strong the realm of LGBT rights. argument that they canIn an interview with not be compelled to vioThe Press, Brandt said her late their religious beliefs class was excited to discuss and that they wouldn't the Knapps' case, which have to do gay marriagprompted her to explore the es," Brandt said. particulars of the lawsuit The reasoning for her Brandt added that she belief, she said, is the has not encountered a legal Knapps reincorporating case similar to the Hitching the Hitching Post as a Post The uniqueness of r~ligic,>.us corporation in the case is why it has gar- September. nered so much national ''My own gut reaction is attention, she said. to say that the city would "If you think about the have a hard time enforcarguments against gay ing its ordinance against marriage, the 'parade the Hitching Post as the of horribles' that have kind of mixed entity it is," always been paraded out Brandt said. "I think they is that religious organifall within the religious zations who think that exemption of the statute." homosexuality is sinful Brandt added that jf the and don't support gay Hitching Post was a busimarriage are going to be ness that only provided forced to marry gays and civil, secular, marriages lesbians," Brandt said. but is politically outspoken "So here, if that's how this against same-sex marcan be portrayed, I think riage, then the ordinance that this could be the first could be enforced. incident where arguably 'There wouldn't be a that's happening." religious objection in that But to Brandt, it situation," Brandt said. doesn't appear that is With more states what is in fact happening being required to recogto the Knapps. nize same-sex marriage, She said that based Brandt said she forecasts on her experiences, that there will continue be people who are gay or tension around the issue. lesbian and interested in ''We are going to conbeing married wouldn't tinue to have broad recogapproach a location like nition (of same-sex marthe Hitching Post. riage)," Brandt said. "Are "Why would you do there going to be little that?" Brandt said. "If mar- Oare-ups where we figure riage is legal and there are out what this means? people that are supportive Sure. But I don't think we of your relationship, why are going to be heading ¡ wouldn't you go there to backwards toward more get married?" discrimination."

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The meeting drew a standing-room-only crowd to the LewisClark State College Library, where a comment period lasted about an hour and a half. Comments ran

about 2-1 in favor of the dinal walk in the door and ordinance. say the Catholic Church Council member Ged is dead-set against it," he Randall helped write the said. ordinance with Council Council member members Bob Blakey Clinton Daniel voted · against the ordinance. and Jesse Maldonado.

Randall said he heard ''What businesses in no opposition from large the city of Lewiston are businesses or groups actually discriminating?" such as the Lewis Clark he asked. 'There's no Valley Chamber of barriers left for the LGBT Commerce or religious community." leaders.

Mayor Pro Tem Ryan "We haven't had a car- Johnson also voted

against the ordinance.

The council, before passing the ordinance, adopted amendments broadening exemptions for religious entities.

Daniel proposed an amendment to broaden the religious exemptions to include business owners who have "strongly held religious beliefs" against homosexuality, but the council rejected that amendment.

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OCTOBER 29. 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ WEDNESDAY â&#x20AC;˘ PAGE A7

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

NORTHWEST

Lewiston bans discrimination based on sexual orientation Associated Press LEWISTON - Officials in Lewiston have passed an ordinance banning discrimination in housing, employment and public ac.coJDD1odation based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Lewiston City Council passed the ordinance Monday on a 5-2 vote, malcing Lewiston the ninth city in Idaho to pass an ordinance protecting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people from discrimination, the Lewiston Tribune reported.

The meeting drew a

standing-room-only crowd to the Lewis-Clark State College Library, where a coJDD1ent period lasted about an hour and a half.

CoJDD1ents ran about 2-1 in favor of the ordinance.

Councilor Ged Randall helped write the ordinance with Councilors Bob Blalcey and Jesse Maldonado. Randall said he heard no opposition from large businesses or groups such as the Lewis Clark Valley Chamber of ColDDlerce, or religious leaders. ''We haven't had a cardinal walk in the door and say the Catholic Church is dead-set against it," he said.

Councilor Clinton Daniel voted against the ordinance. ''What businesses in the city ofLewiston are actually discriminating?" he asked.

"There's no barriers left for the LGBT community."

The council, before passing the ordinance, adopted amendments broadening exemptions for religious entities.

Daniel proposed an amendment to broaden the exemptions to include business owners who have "strongly held religious beliefs" against homosexuality, but the council rejected that amendment

C2

The Press

Friday, November 7, 2014

HREI to host Manis for book signing Former FBI special agent Wayne Manis will be the featured guest at a reception and book signing taking place Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Human Rights Education Institute, 414 Mullan Road, Coew¡ d'Alene.

The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations is hosting the event, which gives center stage to Manis' recently released book: 'The Street Agent: After Taking

on the Mob, the Klan and cas e and infiltrated the the Aryan Nations, he notorious criminal empire walks softly and carries of the New Orleans crime a .357 Magnum - The family headed by godfaTrue Story." ther Carlos Marcello.

Manis served with the Manis spent five. years FBI from 1966-1994. The tracking and investigating book details his experi'The Silent Brotherhood/ ences. Manis penetrated The Order." a terrorist the violent factions of group, and their conoecthe Political Far Left in lion lo the Aryan Nations Chicago in the 1960s, in the Pacific Northwest investigated the Ku Klux in the 1980s. They were Klan in the South, posed discovered to have comas a hil man in a mobmitted assassinations, re lated "murder for hire" armored car robberies,

bombings and cow1terfeiting activities.

Preceding his years in the FBI, Manis was a United States Marine Corps captain and acting provost marshall. Today he is the founder and president of OnBelay Secu1ity Solutions. a Coeur d'Alenebased company.

Manis' book will be on sale during the signing session and free reception Saturday. The public is invited.

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Monday November 10, 2014

'The Street Agent'

TESS FREEMAN/Press

FBI Special Agent Wayne F. Manis signs his new book " The Street Agent" for Greg Seguin and

Nicole Olson during his reception at the Human Rights Education Institute in Coeur d'Alene on Saturday evening. Manis served with the FBI from 1966-94.

Former FBI agent discusses new book

By DEVIN HEILMAN

dheilman@cdapress.com COEUR d'ALENE - Former FBI agent Wayne Manis has seen

dark days in America.

Convention in 1968. He was the He went undercover to in:fi1lrale only undercover agent in lhe force lhe Political Far Left, a violent at that time. group in Chicago that plotted to see BOOK, A7 blow up the Democratic National

From the front

BOOK

from A1

He had a few dangerously close encounters with the Dixie Mafia while working in Alabama in the 1970s.

He chased fugitives across the Arizona desert on horseback, came face-to-face with hardcore members of the Ku Klux Klan and fought plenty of bad guys, including some of the most violent individuals in the "Silent Brotherhood/The Order" terrorist group and the Aryan Nations here in the Northwest in the 1980s.

"Let me make something clear," he said. "I was never involved in the killing of anyone that didn't need it" Manis had his first book signing Saturday evening in the Human Rights Education Institute, where he talked about some of the experiences chronicled in his book, 'The Street Agent After Taking on the Mob, the Klan and the Aryan Nations, he walks softly and carries a .357 Magnum The True Story."

"Criminals generally sleep all day and they play all night," Mrutls said. "If you're going to catch them, you got

to do the same thing."

111e book signing event, hosted by the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, drew a crowd that packed the HREI. Each seat was fulJ as people leaned forward to intently listen to Manis while he shared harrowing ¡ and courageous parts of his life.

Manis, who is the founder and president of OnBelay Security Solutions in Coeur d'Alene, spent 28 years in the FBI. He worked closely with the task force during his investigation of Order 1 and Order 2 of the Aryan Nations.

"I stand here tonight before you saying that I am totally convinced that had it not been for the work of the FBI in particular and the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office and the city police, there are people . in this community today that are alive that would be dead," said Tony Steward, host and co-founder of the KCTFHR. "I am totally convinced of that And Wayne was at the center of that action."

'There were so many incidents, so many things that most people in the community are not aware of," Manis said.

Manis shared intense

/i-7 moments, times when bullets flew over his head, a bomb was thrown into his front yard and an FBI agent who didn't know Manis was undercover smashed him into a walJ like a criminal.

Manis, who left the FBI in 1994, said when FBI officials reviewed his book, they kept it for seven months rather than the one month they were supposed to have it.

"It was a struggle to get them to release it," he said.

"It's all true."

He explained the tenn "street agent'' compared to "special agent."

"You won't find that listed in any government registry or any book, or anything that refers to 'FBI agent,"' he said. '1t's a term of endearment among agents, that small percentage of agents that decides that they are personally going to wage a war on crime."

'The Street Agent'' is available online at www. thestreetagent.com.

'The book is both chilling and in my statement, also, heroic," Stewart said.

"Several times when he almost lost his life.

"I only have a few heroes. Wayne is one of them.''

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Thursday November 20, 2014

New display details Nazi persecution

NAZI ,. ~ PERSECUTION OF HOMOSEXUALS

1933~19..,...uc·-

TESS FREEMAN/Press

Dr. Lisa Manning, interim director of the Human Right Education Institute, walks through the traveling exhibit " Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals 1933-1945" which is on loan from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The HREI will host a grand opening reception of the exhibit Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. and the exhibit will be on display until J an. 7.

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Holocaust Museum exhibit opens at HREI reception is also free and open.

"We're so proud to have something of the Smithsonian-caliber," COEUR d'ALENE - A travelsaid Lisa Manning, Ph.D., interim ing exhibit from the United States executive director of the institute, Holocaust Memorial Museum in located at 414 W. Mullan Road.

Washington, D.C., has arrived Along with the Jews, the Nazis' at the Human Rights Education victims during this time period Institute. included the disabled, homosexuTI1e exhibit, titled "Nazi Persecu- als - primarily gay men - Soviet tion of Homosexuals 1933-1945," is prisoners of war, Poles, Gypsies, open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 Jehovah's Witnesses and others. p.m., and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sarur"That is what is really powerdays until Jan. 7. This coming Satur- ful and really impressive about day. the institute is hosting a grand this exh ibit - is how it illustrates opening reception from 4--6 p.m. the other groups,'' Manning said Viewing of the exhibit is free Wednesday. "It certainly raised my and open to the public. Saturday's awareness."

By DAVID COLE

dcole@cdapress.com

"The Nazis believed it was possible to 'cure· homosexual behavior through labor and 're-education,"' said exhibition curator Edward Phi11ips. 'Their efforts lo eradicat homosexuality left gay men subject to imprisonment. castration, institutionalization. and deportation to concentration camps."

When Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany in 1933. an estimated one million homosexual men lived in Germany.

Nazi policy asserted that homosexual men carried a "degeneracy'' that threatened the "disciplined

EXHIBIT

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

PAGE A6 • THURSDAY • NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Holocaust exhibit to make CdA stop The Human Rights Education Institute in Coeur d'Alene is hosting a traveling exhibit from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. The exhibit, "The Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals, 1933-1945," will run through Jan. 7.

It's open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

An opening reception will be 4 to 6 p.m.

Saturday at the institute, 414 Mullan Road.

In addition to killing 6 million Jews, the Nazis targeted Gypsies, Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, Jehovah's Witnesses, the disabled and thousands of homosexuals, primarily gay men.

see EXHIBIT, A2

harmony was feared.

Additionally, the Nazis from A1 charged that homosexuals' failure to father children · masculinity" of Germany, was a factor in Germany's . according to a press declining birth rate. release announcing the Between 1933 and exhibit's stop in Coeur 1945, an estimated d'Alene.

100,000 men wer.e·,µ-As homosexuals rested for homosexuality. were believed to form - Approximately; 50,000 i' self-serving groups, the we're sent to prison, and emergency of a statean estimated·5,000 to ·· within-the-state that 15,000 were sent to concould disr.upt so~ial centration camps.

COEUR d' ALENE

SUPER TEAM. SUPER RESULTS FROM OUR TEAM TO YOUR FAMILY WISHING YOU THE HAPPIEST

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Sunday November 23, 2014

Rain and snow High 38, Low 29 Weather, A2

OUR BEST â&#x20AC;¢ &llorlal: TIS the season to open our hearts

Opinion, A4

~~=====================

Stepping out of the shadows PBS show paints Coeur d'Alene as 'white,' but Stewart, data claim North Idaho making strides toward diversity

By DEVIN HEILMAN dheilman@cdapress.com

series, "America by the Numbers," recently aired an episode titled "Our Private Idaho," which focuses on the COEUR d'ALENE - Idaho's popula- "white" factor of Coeur d'Alene. tion is becoming more diverse all the It presents Coeur d'Alene as "a haven time, but often, the national perception for white conservatives," a city that is of the state doesn't reflect that reality.

The new Public Broadcasting Service see DIVERSITY, A2

Tony Stewart, founder and leader of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, shares his opinions regarding the PBS series "America By the Numbers" episode " Our Private Idaho." Data from

the Pew Research Center and 2010 census show that Idaho is indeed following the nation' s trend in diversity.

TESS FREEMAN/Press

DIVERSITY from A1

activ in t aring down th ryan ation broth rhood that plant d ils If in orth Idaho

in the 19 0 and 1990 . The do um ntary di. cu that tim in hi tory, and narrator Maria Hinojo a vi it the ite of the former Aryan compound in Hayden with human right advo ate Norm Gi s I of Coeur d'Al ne. Gi sel wa the attorn y who fiJ d the lawsuit that bankrupt d th compound . " tarting in 1983 and going through th '80s and arly '90s. our organjzation, th Kootenai ounty Ta k Force on Human Relation , and otb rs across the tat , worked hard with th legislators and the governor, succe fully, and we passed in this tat a rie of law ombating mali iou hara ment and hate law ," t wart aid.

H aid for 30 y ar , o ur d'Al n ha b n on.fronting human right i u and it would have been gr at if "Am rica by th Numb r " would hav mention d any nw11b r of thing , uch a. the establishment of th Human Right Education In titut and th fact that o ur d'Al n

became an All-American City in 1990 because of it ability to combat hate. ''111ere's been a stain on u b cau e of the activitie of the Aryan Nation ," he aid. "l think thi documentary, unintentionaJly, somewhat reinforced that." tewart re£ rred to research that he conducted in 2011 using U.. Ceo us Bureau information from 1990-2010. He found impre ive increase in Idaho' minority population - which was 10.8 percent in 1990, 12 p rcent in 2000 and 16 percent . in 2010 - and aid he wi hed th documentary would have pr nt d thi and imilar vid nc of Idaho¡ changing demographic in a mor balanced way.

"W 'r till far behind the r t of the cow1try. When you start with mall numbers, ven with th growth. w 'r till not lik th larg citie . but thi is very significant, and we ar following the tr nd that' takin plac around th nation of

becoming a much more diver e ociety.

'The documentary i correct to say that the great majority of peopl living here are till in the category of white, but it' changing," he aid. "And it's changing at a rate that if it continues, in the next 20 year it's going to b a reaJly major growth in diver ity."

Thi i partially reflected in a Pew Re earch Center report that was relea ed Tuesday.

According to the report, Idaho was among seven tates where the number of unauthorized immigrants increa ed between 2009 and 2012. The report found the number decrea d in 14 tate , including Or gon, in that time period, and the number remained stable in the remaining state , including Wahington.

Nationally, th number of unauthorized immigrants remained table at 11.2 million between 2009 and 2012. th report found. The number of uch immigrant peaked in

2007 at 12.2 million. Howev r, change did occur in state .

IdaJio gr w from 35,00 unauthorized immigrants in 2009 to 50,000 in 2012, an increas of 15,000 people. Idaho' growth wa ''driv n by iocr a in unauthoriz d immigrant from countri other than M xico," th r port aid.

"I think that thes trend will continu and it will bod w II for Idaho' economic futur ," Stewart said. ''When you hav that kind of population growth, you build more hou es and you have mor public accommodation . You hav mor job , you have everything. It' going to bod welJ for our e onomy, it' going to make our tate much mor rich in cultural diff r nc it will affect our cultural v nt , and I think it will al o. over tim , creat a gr at r know) dg . understariding and appreciation of the people that have come her from many plac s ...

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Readers Write DNERSITY: One man's opinion Please permit me to elaborate on the recent interview in The Coeur d'Alene Press regarding my critique of the PBS documentary "Our Private Idaho."

Flrst, it is very important to note that my 2011 study expanded a 2~year period and involved the increase in minority populations in Idaho of what the U.S. Census labels as seven Non-White/MultiRace Groups including "Black African American," "American Indian/Alaska Native," "Asian," "Native Hawaiian/ Other Pacific Islanders,'' "Some Other Race," 'Two or More Races," and ''Hispanic or Latino." The significant growth in Idaho's minorities includes all seven racial groups.

Second these seven groups accounted for 74,477 residents in the counties of Nez Perce, Latah, Kootenai , Bonner and Spokane counties in the 2010 Census.

These five counties are the most populous and diverse counties in our region.

Third, the seven racial minorities made up 16 percent of Idaho's population as of 2010.

Fourth, it is obvious that it was 'The Press" decision

to include the Pew Research findings in the Press article and that the Pew Study was not part of my 2011 data as the Pew Research was only released in November of 2014. I had not seen or studied that report I appreciate The Coeur d'Alene Press' invitation to give my personal opinion and critique on a documentary that I believed failed to be balanced based on the data I had gathered in 2011.

The critique was simply my opinion and did not suggest I represented the opinions of others. It would be similar to one expressing an opinion on viewing a Hollywood film.

Once again I find it positive that all eight U.S. Census racial categories including we Caucasians find Idaho a great place to live. It does bode well for our future . We should all embrace what makes us one - humanity.

Let me conclude by thanking The Coeur d'Alene Press and its excellent reporter, Devin Heilman. for allowing me to share my personal critique of this docu,mentary.

I hope everyone had a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving. We have much to be thankful for in the United States and Idaho.

TONY SfEWART

Coeur d'Alene

Letters Policy The Hagadone News Network welcomes your opinions - but make sure they're your own . A letter to the editor must be written by the person submitting it.

Letters must include the writer's full name, hometown and davtime ohone

number (not for publication).

Comments may be edited for length.

• Emailto:mpatrick@ cdapress.com • Mail to: Readers Write, The Press, 201 N. Second St., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

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DIVERSITY: Plays on white guilt I have never wished to respond to a letter posted in the newspaper, but this biased gay lobby diatribe blaming all ills on the "white man" (white factor) has sent me over the limit.

Tony Stewart reflects the standard bias all the established press propagate, the poor little black man, Hispanic unauthorized immigrant, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, Indian are held down by the evil racist white man and this must change, "DIVERSITY'' the white liberal guilt playbook.

Haunted by a history of "extreme racism," excuse me while I go throw up, visit the streets of Detroit or Chicago or any other liberal bastion and view the extreme racism of our day, diverse racism.

Stewart and his like have been leeching off the guilty white Liberal for years, a cottage industry has g rown up around them, Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations (barf), rainbow coalition, new black panther party and many many more left un-named hereon.

Mr. Stewart loves the diverse demographic shifts occurring.

He pines for the big city view of backward knuckle dragging white rednecks too stupid to agree with his view. Oh that is his true diversity, agree with a gay liberal or you're racist Stewart longs for the flood of "unauthorized immigrants" flooding in from all parts of the third world, uneducated masses he can brainwash into thinking his way, anti gun, anti marriage and anti white.

The Aryan Nation was a blemish on North Idaho the same as Mr. Stewart's Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations and the Southern Poverty Law Center is to our beautiful Nor th Idaho home.

Please pack all your liberal garbage and all your diversity and unauthorized ilJegal aliens immigrants and go back to the pit you crawled out of. Leave us and our great white north homeland alone.

I' DAVE SHARPE ¡ I - 3 0 - / YWorley

COEUR d' ALENE

SERVI N G

KOOTENAI

COUNTY

SINCE

1892

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Monday December 1, 2014

Hitting the big screen

Counesy photo

This is a still image from the documentary film 'Add the Words.' The movie plays Friday and Saturday in Coeur d'Alene.

'Add the Words' documentary coming to Coeur d'Alene

By DAVID COLE

dcole@cdapress.com . COEUR d'ALENE - A film

documentary titled "Add the Words" will be showing in Coeur d'Alene this weekend.

The docwnentary covers the story of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) commu-

nity's struggle to get "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" added to Idaho's Human Rights Act The film follows the leaders of the Add the Words movement.

It will screen at 7 p.m. on Friday al Unity Church, and at 2 p.m.

Saturday at the Coeur d'Alene Librar y. Admission is free.

Cammie Pavesic and Michael

Gough are co<iirectors and producers.

It remains legal in ldal10 to fire someone from a job if they are gay or transgender, or to refuse them housing or services - unless the person lives in one of nine cities with a protection ordinance, said Pavesic, who is a Coew¡ d'Alene resident. see DOCUMENTARY, A3

DOCUMENTARY

ness around the issue.

The film also highlig hts personal stories, including that of Ryan Zieba, who committed suicide in from A1 2011 and Maddie Beard, who committed suicide in "Coeur d'Alene has protection, we need to make February of this year after being bullied for being gay. sure they keep it," she said. ¡ Both were from Pocatello.

She said the Kootenai County Task Force on "I was watching the news and saw the first 44 Add Human Relations and PFLAG raised enough money the Words protesters being arrested and thought, that admission to the two showings is free.

'Well, if I live here, I better get involved,"' Pavesic The LGBT community as well as straight allies, said.

She has directed and produced the film businesses and progressive organizations have worked for eight years to have the words added.

"Delusional," starring Perry King.

During the 2014 ldaho legislative session, supportGough has directed and produced five different ers began to use civil disobedience to create awarefeature-length films and multiple TV commercials,

earning three Telly Awards and a regional Emmy.

"As a white straight male, I never had to deal with discrimination until I stood up to make this film," Gough said. ''The process of working on this movie bas highlighted personal relationships within my own life that has changed my perspective forever."

"Add the Words" was first test~screened on Father's Day in Boise.

TV news station KBOI reported that 700 people attended the test showing at the Egyptian Theater, and that the venue had only 20 seats remaining. ¡ "Add the Words" won First Runner-Up for Audience Choice Award at the Bend Film Festival.

A4

The Press

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Opini n Editorial .

In defense of a champion Business people get a charge out of a big sale.

For a new mom, it might be baby's first steps.

Sports stars? There's a touchdown, a home run or maybe a game-winning shot.

For Tony Stewart, the light in his life is social justice. Righting a wrong or rewarding a right, either one; that's payday and first step and championship celebration all in one.

Working tirelessly against intolerance over the past two decades and beyond, Stewart has become the face of social justice in North Idaho.

For 17 years he's organized popular annual human rights banquets with various themes and speakers but one common denominator: Driving home the message that all people deserve to be treated the same. And in Stewart's world, "same" means with respect, with dignity, with human compassion.

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lientle as can be, this former tennis coach and college instructor may be soft-spoken, but there's steel in his spine. One of the things that makes Stewart so effective in his campaign for human rights is his courage. Just watch. In the comments section of this editorial on cdapress.com, derogatory, anonymous remarks will most assuredly be leveled against him. That's been true almost every time his name has been mentioned in the local news or in opinion pieces over the years. It was true again recently, when The Press reached out to Stewart for his perspective on a PBS documentary about North Idaho's overwhelming whiteness - and nobody was talking about snow.

For accommodating our interview request, the chorus from critics cranked into immediate high gear.

But he proceeds undaunted. If the criticism hurts, Stewart never shows it. He soldiers on fearlessly, and that's why he and his friends have vanquished so many ghosts of hatred. Stewart celebrates what's good in man while working with - not against - those who need a little encouragement to do what's right. He does so without any financial remuneration whatsoever. His pay is satisfaction at diminishing the level of hatred throughout the region.

We submit that there is nothing more fundamental to a free society than recognition of its members' basic human rights. It is the single issue of essence that underlies all others. The people of North Idaho are fortunate not just that Tony Stewart understands this, but that he's willing to champion this most noble cause.

A4

The Pres.s

Friday, Dec~o,ber 5, 201 4

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RIGHTS: Atime to speak up I think in my 57 years on this Earth this is my second letter to the editor, but there comes a time when you just have to speak up. In response to a letter from Joseph and Carla Lininger bashing the Coeur d'Alene Press, Tony Stewart and the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations I have something to say.

The exhibit on display at the Human Rights Education lnstitute is a world class display on loan from the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. Which you would have know had you bothered to view the exhibit before belittling it. Yes the focu s of this exhibit is on the Nazi persecution of homosexuals . during the holocaust. The Nazi regime had several target groups they attempted to elim.inate during the holocaust- Jews, Roma (Gypsies), Jehovah's Witnesses, the disabled, basically anyone who did not fit their idea of the perfect race.

Tony Stewart is a man of courage and honor who has worked tirelessly for 30-plus years for the dignity of others. He does not promote any one right, he promotes rights for everyone.

Even you in your freedom of speech targeting him and the Task Force for all the great work they have done to make our community a better place to live.

MICHEILE FINK Proud board member Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations

RIGHTS: Praise the defenders Sometimes we or at least I don't really appreciate the work that others do on our behalf.

This is the case of our own Tony Stewart. While watching a documentary on Idaho Public Television "Color of Conscience," I had confirmed for me what I have believed for a while now of the re-emergence of organized hate groups often called churches. I had not realized how often people like Tony have had to do battle to keep these organizations in check.

I would like to publicly thank the dire,,ctors, staff and volunteers of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations and the Human Rights Education lnstitute for the work they have done and continue to do while being slandered on all sides by people claiming there is no need for such organizations. Just watch the Coeur d'Alene Press blog if you don't believe me.

I believe anyone interested can watch the documentary online: http:/ /video.idahoptv. org/video/1949293974/ P.S. Kudos to the Coeur d'Alene Press for a fine editorial on Dec. 3.

MIKE TEAGUE Coeur d'Alene

RIGHTS: Applause for Tony Stewart

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I would like to thank the editorial staff at the Coeur d'Alene Press for the nice column on Tony Stewart appreciating his efforts to champion human rights and dignity for all. Tony is a selfless individual who has dedicated his life to seeking justice for others. I am incredibly proud to call him my friend and mentor. Tony has touched many lives with his kindness. He has received numerous accolades and awards over lhe years but the most special one was last year. Tony was inducted into the Idaho Hall of Fame for his years of efforts in supporting human rights on behalf of all Idahoans. It is a well-deserved recognition.

Some of the letters to the editor lately have been less than kind toward Tony. I wish to make it clear that he does not stand alone. The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations stands in full support of his efforts, and continues to work with him to ensure all people are treated with dignity.

Tony has always insisted we follow the example of the great civil rights leaders therefore we do not stand on the street and shout back at people who are shouting at us.

Instead Tony is the first person to stand up for another person's freedom of speech and will not attempt to censor anyone.

The Task Force has been active in Kootenai County for 33 years.

We are not going anywhere. We will continue to seek human rights for all in a peaceful, respectful way. The KCTFHR is made up of residents representing all segments of society. We oppose discrimination or the denial of equal protection of the laws based upon race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, disability, national origin, social and economic status, or sexual orientation.

As for the letter writers - if you ever find yourselves the victim of bullying, harassment or discrimination we will offer you our assistance, and do our best to ensure you are treated with dignity and respect.

May you all have a blessed holiday.

CHRISTIE WOOD President Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations

'SECTION B I SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7. 2014

WWW.SPOKESMAN.COM/PICTURE-STORIES

SLIDESHOW OF EWU-MONTANA FOOTB

Take the candy to the bathroom, go directly to j ail HUCKLEBERRIES

DAVE OLIVERIA

holoca~st ~xhibit that focuses on Nazi extermmation of ~~s during World War II. T~e exh1b1t 1s on display at the Human Rights Education Institute of Coeur d'Alene. The flak has come from letters to the editor in the Coeur d'Alene Press. The letter writers brushed aside the enormous contribution to the community made b Tony and the task force in fighting the Y Aryan Nations during the last 35 years The late Kootenai County undersheriff Larry. Br~adbent once summed up that contribution succjnctly to a group of nervous local busmessmen: If it hadn't Parting shot ?een for the task force, Broadbent said Tony ~tewart, a Kootenai County 10 0e 1980s, there would be 600 Aryan hhi~an rights leader, is catching flak for Nations members walking Coeur s statements about a traveling d'Alene streets instead of 60. Who knows how many there'd be now.

OLIVERIA Continued from Bl

The Press

Idaho

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

C7

Tickets :on ,sale·. for annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Gala •

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Tickets are now on sale for the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations' annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Gala.

The event will take place from 5-8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Human Rights Education lnstitute, 414 W. Mullan

t

Ave., Coeur d'Alene.

Tickets are $40 per person. The evening will offer attendees a variety of food, wine, music, silent and live auctions.

The MLK Gala is the task force's only annual fundraiser. The organization is the oldest, longeststanding human rights

task force of its kind in the U.S. For more information online, visit www.idahohumanrights.org.

Checks for tickets or financial contributions can be mailed to: KCTFHR, P.O. Box 2725, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816.

PAGE AS I TUESDAY. JANUARY 6. 2015

WWW.SPOKESMAN.COM/THEN-AND-NOW

HISTORIC PHOTOS OF SPOKANE ARE COMPARED TO TODAY

'Add the Words' has broad support Poll finds 67percent of Idahoans support protecting sexual orientation

By Betsy Z. Russell betsyr@spokesman.com. (208) 336-2854

BOISE - A new statewide poll shows that two-thirds of Idahoans believe the state should prohibit discriminating against gays, lesbians and transgender people in housing, employment and business.

The poll, by Utah pollster Dan Jones & Associates, queried 520 Idaho adults in late December and has a

4.3 percent margin of error. It found that 67 percent thought such discrimination should be illegal, while 27 percent didn't and 6 percent didn't know.

The poll findings come as Idaho's legislative session opens with strong hints from legislative leaders that a full hearing on the "Add the Words" bill - legislation to add the words "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the Idaho Human Rights

Act - will be held this year. The bill has been proposed for each of the past nine years but has never been allowed a full hearing. During last year's session, more than 100 people were arrested in protests demanding that the biJl be heard.

The findings are consistent with other Idaho polls and s uggest support for banning discrimination against gays is increasing. In 2008, the Boise State University oublic

POLL Continued from AS polling firm.

The poll showed that support for outlawing discrimination against gays stretched across all political lines in Idaho, with 58 percent of Republicans supporting it, 87 percent of Democrats, 72 percent of independents and 52 percent of those who described themselves as ''very conservative."

It also found that 64 percent of Idaho Mormons who said they were ''very active" in their church supported making such discrimination illegal. Idaho Mormons who said they

policy survey queried Idahoans about whether they thought it should be iJlegal to fire someone because they are, or are perceived to be, gay or lesbian. Sixty-three percent said yes.

The new poll was commissioned

by Idaho Politics Weekly, a new online newsletter created by Zions Bank that is promising monthly research from the Salt Lake City-based See POLL A6

were "not active" in their church were 80 percent in favor; Catholics, 71 percent; Protestants, 57 percent; members ofother religious denominations, 73 percent; and respondents not affiliated with any religion, 75 percent Idaho Senate President Pro-Tern Brent Hill, RRexburg, said he's expecting a hearing on the bill this year and has spoken with Senate State Affairs Committee Chairman Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa, about it "He seems willing to give the bill a hearing," Hill said. "We want to know what our constituents want, so I appreciated the poll."

EDITORIAL

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Idaho, Otter should heed tide change on gay rights The end of discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgendered citizens hasn't been swift, but it is inevitable. A review of recent developments shows that Idaho's dogged resistance may be subsiding.

Two-thirds ofldahoans believe the state should prohibit discrimination in housing and the workplace, according to a recent statewide poll by Zions Bank.

Furthermore, 58 percent of Republicans and 64 percent of Mormons were supportive of anti-discrimination laws.

Other polls show that when the current generation of seniors passes, resistance will crumble.

Last year, the Idaho Legislature refused, as it has for years, to grant a hearing to "Add the Words" advocates, who then silently swarmed the Capitol in protest They want "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" added to the Human Rights Act, which would bar discrimination on those grounds.

Some cities, such as Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint, have taken such action, but the Legislature has for years rebuffed advocates seeking statewide relief. Some lawmakers even considered repealing those local ordinances.

But, perhaps sensing the change in public sentiment, legislative leaders are reportedly amenable to s full hearing on "Add the Words" legislation this year. At the very least, this would put the onus on lawmakers to explain, for the record why businesses should be allowed tc fire workers for being gay, or why landlords can refuse to rent.

On another front, Florida became the latest state to have its gay marriage ban struck down, and presumptive Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush, the former governor of the Sunshine State, is urging acceptance of the new reality.

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter should pay heed, rather than continue his pseudo-quixotic effort to stop the legal avalanche with a spoon.

Instead, his office recently filed a 41-page petition with the U.S. Supreme Court, saying Idaho's case is the "ideal vehicle" to settle the matter. It's more like a clown car fueled with taxpayer dollars. Otter's folly has gained national attention and could hurt the state's reputation for years to come.

The courts already have mocked the state's contention that gay marriages will harm children and ruin traditional couplings. This hasn't been the case in other states, such as Washington. No reason to think it will occur in Idaho.

J eh Bush didn't go so far as to endorse gay marriage, but he did say that everyone should "show respect'' to the loving couples involved. Otter could begin to do the same by stifling his insulting legal arguments.

Attitudes about gay rights have changed dramatically. Eleven years ago, President George W. Bush could support a federal ban on gay marriage and be sure that it was an electoral winner. He could confidently criticize "a few judges and local authorities."

But now the prohibitionists are in retreat, as they struggle to thwart the rising public consensus. Here's two words for them to add: ''We surrender."

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PAGE A S I THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

WWW.SPOKESMAN.COM/THEN-AND-NOW

HISTORIC PHOTOS OF SPOKANE ARE COMPARED TO TODAY

'Add the Words' introduced Proponents want Idaho Human Rights Act to include

gays

By Betsy z. Russell betsyr@spokesman.com. (208) 336-2854

BOISE - After years of denying a hearing for proposals to ban discrimination against gays, Idaho legislators decided Wednesday to let a committee debate the issue.

On a 6-1 vote, the Idaho House's leadership committee agreed Wednesday to introduce the "Add the Words" bill, a measure to amend the Idaho Human Rights Act to

add the words "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to ban discrimination on those bases.

The vote clears the way for a fuU bearing on the meaIDAHO sure, which is ex- LEGISLATURE pected to be scheduled in the House State Affairs Committee the week of Jan. 26.

Proponents have sought a hearing

on the anti-discrimination bill for the past nine legislative sessions without success.

House Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston, who presented the bill to the committee and voted for it, said, "It's merely a question of fairness, freedom and equal treatment for all Idahoans."

House Assistant Majority Leader Brent Crane, R-Nampa, cast the only dissenting vote. ''I campaigned on tradi.tional va-

lues and supporting traditional marriage. I promised the voters," he said afterward. ''I think I got 74 percent of the vote in my legislative district based on this being one of my campaign platforms."

House Majority Caucus Chairman John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, who voted in favo.r, said be determined that be shouldn't deny the right to have a hearing.

See BILL, A12

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"I struggled with this for days," he said. "I've talked to my pastor, I've talked to other pastors."

Also voting in favor of introducing the bill were House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star; House Ways & Means Committee Chairwoman Christy Perry, R-Nampa; House Minority Caucus Chair Donna Pence, DGooding; and Assistant Minority Leader Mat Erpelding, D-Boise. There was no discussion; more than a dozen supporters of the bill filled the meeting room's few open seats while others listened quietly from the hallway

outside the open door.

House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, said, "It's time."

He said he consulted with Senate President Pro-Tern Brent Hill, RRexburg, and agreed that the bill should have a full hearing.

"The legislative process needs to be open to all," Bedke said. "I am not predicting any outcome or guaranteeing any outcome, but the process is going to be open to all."

During last year's Idaho legislative session, more

than 100 people were arrested in repeated protests calling for a hearing on the bill. Wearing bla_ck "Add the 4 Words" Tshirts, they blocked entrances to the Idaho Senate until they were arrested and led away by police, standing silently with their hands over their mouths, to signify that they hadn't been heard.

"We'll have a thorough hearing," Bedke' promised.

"If it takes multiple days, that's fine. We want to hear everyone that wants

to testify, on both sides. I have ful) confidence that this will be done in a way that's befitting the issue and befitting the legislative process."

In the years that the Legislature has resisted the anti-discr~ination legislation, 10 Idaho cities, including Sandpoint, Coeur d'Alene, Moscow and Lewiston, have passed local ordinances banning discrimination against gays. The small eastern Idaho city of Driggs became the 10th on Jan. 6.

Lisa Perry, an organizer with the "Add the Words" campaign, welcomed the bill's introduction Wednesday. ''We're looking forward to telling our legislators why these protections would help ensure that people who work hard and meet their responsibilities have the chance to get ahead," she said. ''We need to add the words, nothing more, nothing less."

The Idaho Human Rights Act currently bans discrimination in housing,

employment and public accommodations on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability, but not sexual orientation. That means in Idaho, outside the 10 cities, it's currently legal for someone to be fired, evicted or denied service at a business solely because they are gay. A statewide poll of Idahoans, taken in late December and released last week, found that 67 percent of Idahoans favor banning discrimination against gays.

The Press, Thursday, January 15, 2015

SECTION

C ¡Martin Luther King Jr. program is Monday HREI will show five films about civil

program on Monday.

Beginning at 10 a.m., the institute will show five films that rights leadees life document different aspects of the civil rights leader's life and COEUR d'ALENE - The work. Some of the films that will be shown include "King: Man of Human Rights Education Peace in a Time of War" and "In Institute in Coeur d'Alene will present a Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance of Martin."

The free event is open to the public and will be held at HREI's building, located at 414 W. Mullan Road in Coeur d'Alene.

At noon, there will be a panel discussion featuring experts on issues of civil rights. The two and a half hour

discussion includes panelists Wayne Manis, former FBI agent and Coeur d'Alene resident, and David Whitfield, an adjunct professor at Gonzaga University.

For more information on the event contact HREI at (208) 292-2359.

PAGE AS I FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

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"Why does the world think violence will solve anything? Why? Let's ask ourselves Just t '"lat - v1hy?"

Danielle 5ablan Skyway Elementary School fifth-grader. in her essay about her dream for world peace

Children take a stan for peace, civil rights

KATHY PLONKA kathypl@spokesman.com

Fernan Elementary student Shalamar Fresques, center, performs with Fernan's Special Chorus on Thursday during the 30th annual "" Human nights Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. at Lake City Community Church In Coeur d'Alene.

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Students, Rev. Percy 'HappY' Watkins speak at Martin Luther King Jr. program

By Scott Maben scottm@spokesman.com, (208) 758-0260

themes of love, acceptance, understanding and equality at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. program for all fifth-grade students in the Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls school districts.

It was the 30th year of the gathering, sponsored with the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations. More than 36,000 students have attended since 1986, and many of those from the first classes have grown up to see their children take part as well.

"The answer in the long run to reducing

Danielle Sablan of Skyway Elementary School stood before an auditorium packed with fellow Coeur d'Alene fifth-graders Thursday morning and spoke of her dream of a world at peace.

"Let's reach our goals. It is time to act. It is time to change,'' Sablan read from her essay, "Let's Let Peace Reign." ''Why does the world think violence will solve anything?" she said. "Why? Let's ask o\b"selves just that - why?"

Her message mingled with similar See MLIC, A7

Remembering MLK The Human Rights Education Institute in Coeur d'Alene will host a Martin Luther King Jr. program Monday, including a panel discussion on civil rights and social justice from noon to 2:30 p.m. The institute will also show five films on King's life and work from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The institute is located at 414 W. Mullan Road next to City Park. Information: (208) 292-2359.

KATHY PLONKA kathypl@spokesman.com

The Rev. Happy Watkins recites portions of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech during the 30th annual Human Rights Celebration on Thursday at Lake City Community Church In Coeur d'Alene.

MLK

Continued from AS prejudice is through education," said Tony Stewart, one of the founding members of the task force as well as the Human Rights Education Institute in Coeur d'Alene. "I just don't think you can have all these stu'clents going through these programs and not become more appreciative of other human beings and how they treat them."

A highlight of Thursday's program at Lake City Community Church was an appearance by the Rev. Percy ''Happy'' Watkins, pastor at New Hope Baptist Church in Spokane.

Watkins noted it was King's birthday and, paraphrasing a 1967 speech by King, told the children, "If he was here, he would tell each of you if you can't be a tall pine on the top of a hill, you be a shrub in the valley. But you be the very best little shrub that you can be. If you can't be a tree, be a bush. If you can't be the highway, be the trail. If you can't be the sun, be the star.

Because it's not by the size that you win or fail. He would' challenge each of you to be the very best that you can be."

Then, as he's done many times before, Watkins transitioned into a stirring recitation of portions of King's landmark "I Have a Dream" speech from the 1963 March on Washington. When he finished, the children from Coeur d'Alene's 10 elementary schools rose to applaud. A second program for students from the five Post Falls elementary schools followed.

The celebration long has relied on the talents and thoughts of the students, who

sing, dance and read their own essays inspired by the words and deeds of King and other civil rights heroes.

Trey Brennan of Winton. Elementary School wrote of the qualities of a hero, such as the first black child to attend an all-white elementary school in the South.

"My hero is Ruby Bridges because she didn't let racism ruin her education. Ruby had to walk through angry mobs of white people every day just to go to school. Yet, she prayed for them. She prayed for God to forgive them for all the bad things they said," Brennan wrote in his essay.

"Because of Ruby's courage and determination, she made it possible for all races to attend the same school," he said. "That is why she is a true hero."

Ellie Morrisroe of Hayden Meadows Elementary School was motivated by King's 1968 sermon "The Drum Major Instinct" ''I can be a drum major, like Dr. King, by helping kids who experience difficult situations in life," she said, mentioning those whose families can't afford warm winter clothing, children who are mistreated and those who need tutoring help at school. ''I can be there for those kids."

Kira Adam, a fifth-grade teacher at Borah Elementary School, said the program allows students to reflect on discrimination that still exists and how everyone should be treated equally.

"It's just so neat to see that students who are so young, only 10 years old, have these thoughts and emotions and really want good and peace and love for our country," Adam said. "And it's really neat to see this is the next generation that's going to represent us."

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Friday January 16, 2015

''Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Martin Luther King Jr.

Photos by SHAWN GUST/Press

The Amazing Winton Elementary Body Sox Dancers perform during the 30th annual Human Rights Celebration for Coeur d'Alene School District fifth-grade students Thursday at Lake City Community Church.

Peace, dignity, respect Thirty years of the fifth-grade human rights celebration

By DEVIN HEILMAN

dheilman@cdapresscom COEUR d' ALENE - Th words of Martin Luther King Jr. still rang in the ears of hundreds of fifth-graders as they jumped to their feet to honor the speaker of those words with a standing ovation. see MLK, Al

Ellie Morrisroe, a fifthgrader at Hayden Meadows, reads her essay about human rights, titled "The Drum Major," during the event.

Photos by SHAWN GUST/Press

Reverend Happy Watkins re-enacts Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s " I Have a Dream" speech.

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration ~Y winners and finalists • First place: Trey Brennan, Winton - "What Makes a Hero?"

• Second place: Ellie Morrisroe, Hayden Meadows - "The Drum Major" Honorable mentions:

• Danielle Sablan, Skyway - "Let's Let Peace Reign" • Alicia Ketner, Ramsey - "A World of Celebrating Individuality" ..

• Katelyn Taylor, Dalton - "Martin Luther King" • Braeden Moss, Atlas - "Help Create a World with No Segregation" • Bella Mitchell, Borah - "Martin Luther King Jr. Essay" • Lenna Lundin, Bryan - "Martin Luther King" • Mayah Rietze, Sorensen - "Greatness is Not Impossible" • Valencia Fresques, Fernan - "Deseg regation"

From the front

The Press

Friday, January 16, 2015

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MLK

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Invoking the powerful and moving vocal inflections of King himself, Rev. Percy "Happy'' Watkins of New Hope Baptist Church in Spokane delivered the famous '1 Have A Dream" speech to a captivated audience Thursday morning in the auditorium of Lake City Community Church .

"If MLK was alive, it would be his birthday today,'' Watkins said. "He would challenge each of you to be the very best that you could be."

The event marked the 30th annual Human Rights Celebration, a program where fifth-graders from' the Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls school districts recognize the life and accomplishments of King while celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. and Idaho Human Rights Day through songs, ¡ essays and presentations.

With a look of understanding and enlightened humility, Hayden Meadows Elementary School student Sam Meyer, 10, said he wants to help make the world a better place like King did.

"A lot of people think that all Martin Luther King did was help slaves but he did a lot more," Sam said. "He helped with civil rights, he believed in freedom and stuff."

He said he enjoyed the program and the standing ovation following Watkins' speech was "really nice.''

"It was realJy good," he said. "All the singers were excellent, I enjoyed it. The 'Peace Will Come' song was good."

The program included a PowerPoint presentation about MLK, titled "Tribute to Peace," fol-

M atthew Russell performs with the Fernan-Bryan Special Chorus during the M artin Luther King, Jr. celebration.

lowed by Fernan and Bryan Special Chorus performances, Watkins' re-enacbnenl speech, a presentation by the Winton Elementary Body Sox Dancers. student essay readings and an allaudience sing-along.

'There was a lot of dedication put into this, definitely," said Skyway Elementary student Ashley Rogers, 10. 'There were so many people that just came together and worked together on something so amazing. I loved the body sox."

Hannah Vetter, 10, also from Skyway, also enjoyed the body sox presentation, which featured several performers in the brightly colored, abstract, face-covering costumes who interpreted Michael Black's "Don't Laugh at Me" through dance. They used their bodies to showcase the emotions that accompany segregation and bullying.

"I learned that you s houldn't judge people," Hannah said. "ll was inspi1ing."

More than 35.000

"I've been to all 30, and I have never seen one that was not emotional."

TONY STEWART, Kootenai County Task Force

on Human Relations founding member fifth-graders have been through the program since its inception and it has grown into an event that necessitates two sessions to accommodate all of the students; the Coeur d'Alene students attended in the morning and Post Falls in the afternoon. The Human Rights Celebration was implemented in 1985 and is hosted by the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations.

Founding member Tony Stewart has been to every single one.

"I've been to all 30, and I have never seen one that was not emotional," Stewart said. wThey're so powerful."

He commended the teachers and administrators in ilie school districts for helping with the continuation of the program and their dedication to it. He said it takes cour-

age for the kids to get on stage in front of their peers and read their original essays, and parents must be so proud of their children.

"Out of the mouths of babes comes great truths," he said, adding that there is strength in kids' perceptions about the world and views on accepting others.

"My No. 1 thought always, every year, is that a child is born, they don't have prejudice, they're not born hating someone because of their color or whatever it might be. It has to be a learned process," he said. "Fifth grade is just such a perfect age. ' Ibey understand it, and look how well-behaved they are. Each one of them was talking lo the other kids about 'We can make a differcnce, we can use Dr. King as a great model, we can do something, too."'