Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations Scrapbooks 1986

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·-H.A¥DEN LAKE, Ida (UPI) ~acism ~d~~eUgious pr~jtidice.''! · · H!,mdr~ ,'.of white . supremacisJ,s, .

Meeting at the _remote 'COmpou.q· . many. of them armed ~d from an , ~f ~e Aryan Nations Qhurch in Ui '\ a.~ .tnent of. K~ .Klux Klan and : heavily for~sted _hills , of northe~ 'i' ' siniilar U.S. ·a nd Canadian groups, Idaho, the white supremacist : met I saiurdro' ·. to denounce nQn-. ... called fo r establishri}ent of t. w)!\'tes; Jews and the federal gov- . · whites-only 1nation in the · Pacifj.1 ., erttiftent.! · :.. : .1 • , ·' :-•• • Northw~sL ancl the destruction ·o ~w~le, Iru.ilio Gov. John .V. ~ npnwhi~~s ~ct.~on-Christians: ...;: ·. ~ ~.and ~pout 1,200 othersJath- · ' · ''Our ·: goal·.is the destruction e, eredi.- 15 miles away for a . Good them," Pastor Thomas Robb of tht Meig.h ?O~ ·l)ay.'' .Ne~ly .200 com- ;·.. . Church of Jesus Christ, . Harrison muruties $en~ i:es?lutlons ID ~upport ·., : Ark., tolg. about 300 listeners o~.• that st ss1on ID Coeur d Alene, . "There .is no middle . ground, · w~'.l anct 1:0-rernors of Montana, Washtak.e,nosurvivors."· · " •. ~: ington iind .Qr~gon sent $~tementa. . : · · . . .· . · · 1 asking citizens .to reject racism:· ' 'l· 1 \ .. • White suprema~ISts s~yed awa) c. , ·, · , , · ' ·, fr.om the. _counterdemonstratioq. 'i ~1!,~~D1~1ntoler.• ~ce .· ;, f ;.. an.d. pol~~~ e .· OJ. i · ~e· ~ant :.ever~one to know :·:,~ests.._:. ·. , :, ; '! 1 : · , ._ !; ,·. ,. . , .that the Aryan Nations and other~, 1- Robb was · one •of ·,15 white ' 8\.1· { su<i~ ~ate ~oups do not represent : premacist ·1ea er.s , planni~g t q ' nor do ·~hey ,peak for the people of . speak during the tw(>-day1confer, . I.d ,?(~.~~Y~ld.th~~rowci · ' · .. ence that inolu.d es a cross-lighting ' .~.Alth.ough · small in number, ;1. ;-and tfibutes .to Tb.e Order, a violent r· ~s~.,~a~e groups have a blind and .· .--Aryan · N.a tions 1 off shoo~ : ·1 tha~ Ullf~$g intolerance for diver,launched an unsuccessful but vio.: l.i, si~.:'·· ffe 84id. '.'They ~old a per~. · . le~t revolution in 1984. Armed ~en /; · v~ed notion · Qf what America is ·. in combat' gear ·patr9ll~ th~ all abou~ as the.Y promote seJl.$ele~ aqe compound. . 1; , ~. .'· · .. :~ 1

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A10 Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Monday, September 22, 1986

Priest blames bombing of hon1e on neo-Nazis

By GIi Balley P-1 Reporter

A Catholic priest, whose Coeur d'Alene home wu bombed a week ago, told a Seattle audience yesterday he believes neo-Nazis have little community support in Idaho but that he still fears for his life.

The Rev. William W8B!Pr moth, who 981'Ve& as head of the Kootenai County Taak Foroe on Human Relations, said he believed the followers of Richard Butler and his Aryan Nation were reeponsible for the bombing.

W88Bllluth, 45, a native of Green Creek, Idaho, organized a human rights .rally in July to oppoee a World Aryan Congress at Hayden Lake. Waasmuth's rally drew about 1,000 people ancf the congress drew about 185.

"I won't call Butler a rever-

end, nor will I call his organization a church," Wassmuth said

Wore be spoke to about 50 members of the Seattle Fellowship of Reconciliation, meeting at the Woodland Park Presbyterian Church.

Butler, who has denied responsibility for the bombing and said be does not condone it,

is the pastor of Hayden Lakebased Church of Jesus Christ Christi.an Aryan Nations, a white supremacist group.

"I woo't say Butler controlled or ordered the bombing," the priest said. "But the people who did it are pretty obvious."

The priest called the supoortera of the Aryan Nation r'out.siden" in Idaho with only a few support.en among Lhe longtime residents of the state.

"I don't say there isn't ~judioe in Idaho," he said.

'But the Aryan Nation goes beyond prejudice. It wants to overthrow the government and the American way of life."

He called for a non-violent reaction to the attacks by such organizations.

Both Idaho gubernatorial candidate&, Democrat Cecil Andrus and Republican Dave Leroy, have proteatecl the bombing. Andrus called for a federal grand jury investigation.

W88Bllluth said he hoped for " positive" demonstrations in opposition to the white supremaci.ats and the violenceprone "Order," which launched a series of attacks in an effort to form a nation for whites in the Paci.fie Northwest.

Story on Page Cl also

By JOHN SNELL al TIMI Ongonlan atafl

COEUR d' ALENE, Idaho Father Bill Wassmuth is careful now when someone knocks on bis door late at night.

Since a pipe bomb planted by neoNazi extremists exploded outside his home Sept. 15 - and since three more went off in downtown Coeur d'Alene on SepL 29 - he no longer jogs alone and is more cautious of strangers.

"I could sit down and start to imagine myself all bloody with machine gun bullets ripping through me," the Catholic pr iest said last week. "But I could imagine the same sort of thing happening to me when I get into my car and drive down the road. rm not being a hero about it. I just don 't choose to be fearful."

According to state and federal prosecutors, Wassmuth was targeted because of his position as head of the Kootenai County, Idaho, Task Foree on Human Relations, a group that has worked since 1981 to Cham· pion the cause of civil rights in Northern Idaho and to work against groups such as the neo-Nazi Aryan Nations/Church of Jesus Christ Christian.

It hasn't been an easy task.

Church fight avoided "We've been very careful not to get the thing into a church fight,' Wassmuth said. The Church of Jesus Christ Christian is an offshoot of an Identity church founded in Los Angeles after World War II called the Anglo-Saxon Christian Congregation.

With close ties to the Ku Klux Klan, it bolds that Adam was a white man who sired the 12 tribes of Israel referred to in the Bible. It also taught that Jews are the children of Satan - descendants of Cain, who they say was a child born when Eve committed original sin by sleeping with the devil.

Identity followers also believe that whites are inherently superior to blacks and other minority races and that England and the United States are the true Israel r eferred to in the Bible.

Wassmuth said the task force has steered clear of theological issues raised by the Identity movement and instead has focused on the Aryan Nations' goal of setting up a "whites only" homeland in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana and Wyoming.

"We've come to take that business seriously, not because there's any serious threat of it actually happening, but because they take it serious-

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wrong image. of being a safe haven for neo-Nazis. We're nol "I think we need to aggre ively recruit conventions to this area with very strong ties to the Jewish community and the black community.

We need to explain to these groups that we have a problem out here.

The Jewish community, the Catholic community and the black community have got to understand that all hell's going to freeze over before the people of this area are going to accept or give in to the neo-Naz:is."

Part of his arsenal in fighting the groups is Idaho's maliciou -hara . ment law. Passed in 1983, it makes it a felony to harass or intimidate a person because of his or her race or religion.

Walker is handling the first prosecution under the law, in which a member of the Aryan Nations church, Larry Phillips, was accused in August of threatening to kill Larry Smith, a black man who was shopping at a K Mart Store in Coeur d'Alene, and ramming into him with a shopping cart.

Phillips was arraigned Monday in Kootenai County Circuit Court after undergoing a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation. His trial is set for

Jan.12.

No fear or panic

The Oregonian/ROSS HAMILTON

Father BIii Wassmuth, whose home was bombed last month, says he takes neo-Nazl rhetoric seriously "because they take It seriously." ly," Wassmuth said.

"The number of people who would be attracted to the philosophy of Aryan Nations is extremely limited," he added. "The numbers that might agree with a portion of it could be substantial. The whole package of who they are and what they believe has to be held up to the light constantly."

The task force, while it has received the most publicity, is only one part of a multipronged attack against Idaho racists, said Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney Glenn E. Walker.

"I think it's time we go on the offensive with these groups, start playing winner's rules," he said. "I think we've developed an image, a

"l think the law can have a deterrent effect as long as people are knowledgeable about it," Walker said. ''I got a good deal of publicity when it was passed, but it's the kind of thing that once It's out of sight, it's out of mind. If we're successful in prosecuting this case. we'll have more notoriety about it."

Robert J. Olson, principal of Bryan Elementary School in Coeur d'Alene. said the bombings frightened many of the parents - particularly those with children at So.renson Elementary School. located a few blocks from where one of the bombs went off - but still did not create an atmosphere of fear or panic in the community.

"This part of the state has more than its share of the lunatic fringe, I suppose," Olson said. "I think we had some real fear on the day of the bombings, but it's pretty much blown over now."

Wassmuth said he agreed that his town wasn't gripped by fear of the Aryan Nations, and although the people who live in Northern Idaho are known for a tolerant "don'tbother-me-and-1-won't-bother-you" attitude, he believes most people are fed up.

"They're saying that law enforcement has gotten rid of some of the mosquitoes,' Was muth said. "Now it's time to drain the whole swamp."

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TH~ PROV IDENCE SUNOA Y J_OURNAL

THE NATION

Priest leads Idaho group ~gaillst neo-Nazis STEVE MARANTZ T ht Uostc>n Glob.

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho When the Rev. William "Father Dill" Wassmuth was asked to head a citizens' group contendJng with neo-Nazis who set up a compound just outside town, the outgoing chairman joked, "You don't , ave a wife and a kid and your church Is made o r brick.''

The remark turned prophetic on SepL 15, when Wassmuth's woodframe house was pipe-bombed. Four neo-Nazls have been charged with the crime. A back door was hlown off, several windows were shattered and shrapnel sprayed the neighborhood. Wassniuth, .15, a Catholic priest, who was not hurt. said last week, "The joke isn't very funny now."

More than ever, the d t zens' group headed by Wassmuth -- the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations - ls aware of its perilous mission in this northern Idaho

tourist and timber town of 20,000.

Many members say they are on a neo-Nazi "hit list" uncovered by the FBI. The list was discovered during the arrest or three men and a woman for the bombing of Wassmuth's house, and for the subsequent bombings Sept. 29 of three government buildings.

"These people are absolutely wacko," said Marvin Mend, a real estate broker and task force member. "I was going to carry a gun. But then a fri end pointed out that a gun won't he.Ip because these people will sneak up and shoot you in the back."

Wassmuth's lnsistence that the task force be non-violent is another reason not to carry a gun, Mend added.

The four persons charged in the bombings are tied to the white SU· premacist Jesus Christ Christian Church, commonly known as Aryan Nations, with headquarters in a forest compound 12 miles north of

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Coeur d'Alene. Th~ 30 to 35 "Ary- balanced picture of northern Idaho: But its non-violent ethic is being ans." as they are koown localy, ad· vocale the creation of a separate tested. Most residents ;lnlicipate white Christian n.2.tion out of five further attacks by the Aryan.s. everr · northwestern states and teach that though the Aryans rarely are seen in tow n.

Jews are the offspring of Satan. ..They recruit thugs," said Ray In the early 1980s the Aryans spawned a violer.t revolutionary Givens. husband of state Rep. sect known as The Order - whose J eanne Givens. members now are either imprisoned Task force members, and most or dead - which engaged in coun- residents, wish fervently for the terfeiting, armed rc•bbery and mur- Aryans to leave. Nobody knows der. The four persons charged in the why the Aryans, led by the Rev. recent bombings arc alleged to have William Butler, came 10 years ago. formed a ser.ond Oroer.

It is supposed that Butler, w ho The task force, rormed In 1981 was unavailable for comment, and after children of a racially mixed his following were attracted by the marriage were harassed by a white small number of minority group supremacisL is a non-violent coun- members (less than 1 percent of the tervailing force to the Aryans. Its county's 65,000 residents) and by 175 members - prc-fessionals, mer- the natural beauty. Lake Coeur d'Achants. teachers, law enforcement lene, with 100 miles of pine-guarded officials, laborers and housew ives shoreline, Is a popular outdoor rec- provide moral and legal support r eation area. "They feel they have a to the county's minority population, right to the best land in the country, conduct informational and educa- w hich is right here," said Wasstional programs and try to present a muth.

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Lewiston Tribune/Sunday. December 21 . 1986

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It's the anti-racism that will be remembered

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oeu r d'Al ene ha , become known not as th e home of the nco-Nazis, a s c:nme ha d lt:~1reJ. bu t as lhe community 1h,1t rosr.! up anJ reJcctcd a hand ful of ·aci:,; i.:r:-1L1es who ,e ttled t1n the edg e of that c it y On .Jan 1-1 . th r e1: of Coeur d ' Alene 's adcrs have been in vited to appear at ;\;ew York Ctty Hall a nd receive the Raoul Wallenberg Ci,·i r Award for opposition to raeism an d vi ole nce .

Invited ro the ceremony arc Mayor Ray Stone. Kootenai County Unde r shc riff Larry Broadbent and t he Re \' . Bill Wa s mut h .

Broadhent . '.dth the blessi ng of th e leaders and ci tizen!) nf that ci ty . has mad himsel f an ex pert on viole nt radical s . And Wasmuth , a priest. has been bot h a lea d er in the comm unity ' s rejection of ra c is t extremists and a targe t of racist anger. His home was damaged by a bomb .

That bombin g and Wasmuth became

the focus of th e com munity ·s decency . A s the du st cleared. ministen, ol even· faith ru llie<l to hi s s ide. c;itti n~ in a urcft: with him before the ca mera s. :, tJn<.ling up tu terro ri s m Peop le throughuut rhc commu nity and the s tate. includin g Ida ho :, d ccted leaders. also made their stand with \.\'asmuth and with the dt:<.:c nr s ide o f Coeu r d 'Alene .

Ir is appar e nt now t hat the d ecent side is both sides of that commun itv an d that th e noisy ra cists are n't a side a ·t all. They

are no more than a bo il on the commu nit y 's backs ide . Wha t stan ds out ab1,u1 Cot:ur d'Alene in New York and el s ewhere 1s not the c ra zies : i r is the l1 road bents and th e Wasm urh s. It is a communitv ,hat S\\"ep t aside and triumphed Over racism and violence .

That is what has come ro the fore and w ill be on displav for national telev is ion cameras at that ceremony in New York . It 1s an honor to live in the same state with pe opl e like that. - 8 . H.

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THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR

l-/3-?{tWhite ...~ ...____ -ata '" ~ 9!

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A town stands Up to organized racism WT.EL. •. il

In 1978 a whitesupremacist group calling it.self the Aryan Nations set up camp on land near the sleepy little northern Idaho town of Coeur d'Alene.

Last Sept. 29 a group linked to the Aryan Nations made an abortive attempt to rob two local banks for money to finance racist violence. Suddenly alert to the threat, the community rallied behind a task force seeking to counter the activities of it.s unsavory neighbors.

By Cheryl Sullivan Stall writer CJI The Christian Science Monllof

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STAFF

Unwelcome neighbor: entrance to Aryan Nation• compound near Coeur d'Alene

for our efforts," he says. "There's a lot of support now, compared with four or ftve years ago."

Coeur d'AleM. Idaho The undersherilf and other experts across the US say The 6.rst bomb went oft' at 9:10 a.m., followed by two other community activism ls the key to countering organi7.ed nu,. explosions within the next half-hour, remembers Larry ism. It ls Important that all eegrnents of a community Broadbent, undersherlft' of Kootenai County. It was Sept. 29, ~ just the minority groups who are under attack - publicly · 1986, the day this idyllic resort t.own tn northern Idaho repudiate racial int.olerance, they say. ~ awoke t.o confront racist violence.

The Koot.enai C.Ounty Tusk Fbrce on Human Relations has !:"We can never again go back to sleep and let time and the been lauded as a model for communities elsewhere tn the ""' world just pass us by," says Mr. Broadbent, who has become, · oountry that are feeling the influence of racial hatred. The ..,-.. of necessity, an expert on the white-supremacist movement task force's work, in fact, will be recognl7.ed by a human .;:, · in the Unlt.ed Stat.es. "Now there will always be some kind of rights group, the Raoul Wallenberg C.Ommittee of the United ~ vigilance."

Stat.es, at an awards ceremony Wednesday tn New York. · Federal and state prosecut.ors say the three men arrested The broad base of the task force - lt includes representa- V"\ for the bombings have ties t.o the Aryan Nations, an extrem- tives from city government, local law-enfoiument agencies, ......, I ist, white-supremacist group that set up camp on the out,. schools, business, churches, and minority groups - is what ~ skirts of t.own in 1978. Although no one was ll\iured by the makes it innovative, says Bob Hughes of the US Justice ::.. explosions, subsequent revelations about the suspects' int.en- Department's C.Ommunity Relations Service in Seattle. "'I tions were even more alarming.

"There are no other parts of the country where task forces {u According to pretrail evidence presented by the Federal have developed this same combination of people," he says.

Bureau of Investigation, the bombs were plant.ed t.o distract The scope of task-force activity has been equally broad - _ police while the perpetrators robbed supporting victims of racial harass- .$. two local banks and the nearby Nament, denouncing racial int.olerance, o. tional Guard Armory. Although the promoting multiculturallsrn, instruct- ~ suspects abandoned their plan after ing law-enforcement officers about " the bombs exploded, the scheme a~ civil rights laws, and lobbying to in- ~ parently was similar to one carried out crease the penalties for racially motitwo years earlier in Spokane, Wash., ' vated crimes. More important, the task •

by The Order, a notorious neo-Nazi force has become active, rather than gang. defensive, in its response to the Aryan -.,.

The Order, which had ties t.o the Nations' message of white supremacy, 1 Aryan Nations, saw most of its memobservers say. It Is producing program- , bers Imprisoned last year for violaming for public-access TV, is helping to "" tions of federal racketeering laws. Deplan a cornmunltywlde celebration of 1 spite this setback, new faces have Martin Luther King Day, and Is consldappeared t.o carry on its goals of. ering JU.ing a civil suit against Aryan overthrowing the US government and Nations members. 'iJ establishing an all-white republic. The The undersherilf believes all the Order's white-supremacist agenda perhard work has been effective. "Instead sists - as September's bombings made ... of dealing with the 35 people who are clear. ~"\ now out there [at the Aryan Nations The blasts, however, had the uni& · compound1 we could have been dealt.ended effect of galvanizing C.oeur ing with 8 ,600," Broadbent says. "If d'Alene as never before. C.Ornrnunity there's a nonresponse to their activileaders had formed a task force in ties, they see it as implied consent."

198t to respond to the Aryan Nations' To outside appearances, a conservaactivity, but now public participation tive state like Idaho ls an unlikely in it is much higher, Broadbent says. place for people t.o become roused over "There isn't a day that goes by that ·, an issue that is generally considered a somebody doesn't st.op me on the street Rev. Bill We11muth, tHk force leader, liberal cause. "The Idaho tradition is to or call to thank us (task force members) In front of hla church In Coeur d'Aleene Please aee ORDER nect page

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 13. 1987

THE CHRIST IAN SCIENCE MO NI TOR'

NATIONAL -;

INTERVIEW 11

Bitter m~e from pulpit

By Cheryl SUlllvan (itaf wriwdTheOw-. Soonoo-

Haydanl...ll<e,-

Undenheriff Larry Broadbent 'We can

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again let the world juat pan ua by'

ORDER m:m ~ page

Pius X Roman Catholic Churcl\, who heads up the task force. ' - Last summer was the turning point, he leave people alone, even if a guy ls zany," says. More than 1,000 people turned out says task force member Nonn Gissel. "It's for a human rights rally in Coeur d'Alene, an ethic we have here." timed to coincide with the annual "World So, when retired engineer Richard But- Aryan Congress" !or white suprem.acists ler bought land north of town and moved at Mr. .Butler's compowui. there in 1974, no one paid much heed. In "'That was the first time the commu1978, when the Aryan Nations sign was nity really st.ood up to the Aryan Nalhst pollted on his proptions," says Fr. Wasserty, most everyone ig· muth, whose own home nored it. In 1980, when Last summer more was bombed Sept. 16, two l!,Wastikas began to appear weeks before the explo'on the sides of building., in . than 1,000 people,. _sions downt.own. . the community, they were turned out for a .. - . ' J Fr. Wassmuth says he dismissed as the work of human rights rally- in . signs_that the ~an vandals or kooks. , Nations' influence IS on But the incidents began Coeur d Alene. the wane. The mood of the to escalate, Mr. Gissel community is becoming so says. An Aryan Nations inhOSJ)itable that extremnewsletter called for the establlshment of ists here will move away, land in jail, or a white "homeland" In the Paclll(: North- leave the movement, he says. west. The rabbi In nearby Spolcane reBut "the task force will be here after ceived threatening letter.I. they go away," he predicts. "We have a When minorities In town were haras- long way to go to learn to live as a multised, the task force was funned to assist cultural society. . . . The only value to the victims.

• seeing this blatant bigotry Is to cause But it wasn't until The Order trial in · people to reexamine any type of prajudioe Seattle in late 1986, when the group's link they may have in their own hearts." to the Aryan Nations became clear, that the community really began to take noNat: Doee the US Coutitudoa ~ tioe, sa}'ll the Rev. Bill Wassmuth of St. tec:t white ApfflllAdata?

sees

government of the people. We today have a tyranny, but not a government."

On llfflnnatlv• action. "White men are no longer citiz.ens of the United Stat.es, from the standpoint of employmenL" On l'Niatance to communlsm. "I was just reading where Hewlett-Packard is opening a factory In (Communist) China. The Chinese will build computers and then ship them and sell them In the US. What's happening here? They're closing American ractori.e s, and our men are learning to lllp hamburgers. : . . They 're telling you, 'White man, you've had it. You're through.'

We.'ve already los t the

Signs posted at the entrance to the Aryan Natio.n s headquarters read "Welcome Aryan warriors" and "whites only."

People In nearby Coeur d'Alene refer to this 19-acre parcel of land as ''the compound." Aryan Nations leader Richard Butler prefmi to call it "the church grounds."

Nestled among the pines Is Mr. Butler's Church of Jesus Christ Chr istian , where he preaches his mess.age of white s upremacy each Sunday to a congregation war again5t communism." that these days rarely exceeds SO. The church is •On die "Jewlah conaplracy." "Why, It we are adorned with flags of the "Aryan" nations of Eu· the richest nation, are we bankrupt? Why are we rope, drawings of med!· eval knights, swastika· giving away millions of like emblems, and a huge dollars to other nations? picture of Adolf Hitler. It Because the money ~ is a fitting backdrop for tern is created by the Fedthe man who, more than eral Reserve System and anyone else, has managed the Jews. It's the Jews .who benellL The US 1s to wrap racist Nazi beliefs in a shroud of religion. giving the Soviets loans for l \.2 percent or 2 perButler's critics concede that t he doctrine he cent interest, yet Amer· lean citiz.ens get them for preaches - known as Christian Identity - may 17 percent. Who is this constitute a sincerely held Bu11er In hla 'Church of government run for'? It's religious belief. They note, .,._ Christ Chrlltlan' run for Judaism and munism." however, that it is incom· OIi Illa llllalolL. ""The Aryan Nation,i pat!ble with other Christian religions and that the State ondaho has revoked the destiny Is to bring laW" and order to this earth, and to call people to their nation. church's tax~pt status.

1n the following excerpt, from an in· Your nation is your race. .• .• If you det.erview, Butler provides an eloquent In- saoy the white race, you live in darkness dictment of his views. He is more likely to forever.''

On die future. "Fmit you'll see ear cit.e the Bible than "Mein Kampf," but his messages of anti-5ernitism and racial nomic chao5 and collap9e. It's here. Then scapegoating are the same ones espoused you'll see massive riots. lf you don't feed

by Hitler. 1n his bitter comments about all these people you're importing in here, the stare of America today he manages to you're going to have trouble. '"'The handwriting has been on the strike many of society's sore spots_ On ll'llffdgradon. "The United Stat.es wall, In neon lights, llashing for ,ome was founded for the white race. And any time now."

On white eepandlun. " 'Black Is government's n5ponsibillty is the preservation of its people, by the protection of beautiful' Is what gets headllnes. That's its borders. When a government abro- wonderful, right'? But white pride? Now gateS that responsibility, it ceases to be a that's ,omethlng to raille eyebrows at.''

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A14 The Spokesman- eview Spokane Chr nicle

Spokane, Wash., Sun, Feb. 15, 1987

Trial reveals bumpkins beneath Klan robes

By Fred Grimm Knighl-Rldder

MOBILE, Ala. - By the trial's end, the secrets of the secret empire were on the nation's front pages. The loyal brotherhood became a gaggle of feuding rednecks. Officers with exotic titles like Grand Titan, Exalted Cyclops and Nighthawk so bungled their courtroom defenses that they began to seem more pathetic than sinister.

The Ku Klux Klan mi~t have even looked comical were 1t not for the brutal, unprovoked lynching of a 19-year-old black man that was at the crux of this landmark lawsoil When the all-white jury returned a $7-million verdict Thursday night against six Klan members and the United Klans of America Inc. - a figure that will likely break the once powerful national Klan faction - it was the first time a corporate entity had been held responsible to_. Klan violence.

Anti-Klan crusader Morris Dees and his staff at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Ala., had engineered the novel legal approach that was as much aimed at United Klans and its longtime â&#x20AC;˘ Imperial Wizard Robert Shelton as at any or the actual killers of Michael Donald.

Suing on behalf of Beulah Mae Donald, the victim's mother, Dees not only implicated four more Klansmen in the murder conspiracy beyond the two already convicted in the 1981 killing, but convinced the jury that they were all agents of helton's organization.

Along with winning the judgment, Dees used the courtroom to s rip away the Klan's mystique.

"We're opening the Klan to the light of day," said the tall, blond lawyer whose name was found at the top of the Klan hit-list last year in North Carolina. He has become the number one enemy by using the courts to harass the Klan's leaders and has won court orders against Klan activities in Texas and North Carolina. A civil suit against the Klan in north Alabama was postp<>ned after evidence Dees gathered m the case led to criminal charges.

In the Donald lawsuit, Dees managed to r.roduce copies of the United Klan s bank records, the secret constitution and an organizational chart with the weird titles and secret symbols of everyone in the

milltaryllke chain of command.

But as Dees revealed to the jury the men who carried the fancy titles in Unit 900 - the Mobile klavern that sponsored the Donald lynching, the Klan began to look more like a group of poorly educated, naive, lower-class white men whose only hope at social standing was in the Ku Klux Klan. "Where else could Teddy Kyzar become accepted?" asked Dees of the former Klansman who became one of his most effective witnesses.

Kyzar was rotund, slow-witted, with pale skin, reddish hair, glasses and the face of someone who passed his school days as the miserable amusement of other students.

He described bow be was publicly lashed three times in the Klan for various violations, once gettmg "50 lashes with a strap" on his back as he was forced to lean across the "sacred altar."

Kyzar also told bow be donned dark clothes and spent hours cowering behind his sofa, fearful of assassination, after be decided to cooperate with police investigating the murder of Michael Donald. He said that the old Grand Titan, Bennie Jack Hays, head Klansmen in southern Alabama, once warned him that if be talked, "I'd be dead in eight hours, 24 at the most."

Hays, whose son Henry is on death row now for the Donald slaying, looked at the jury and said, sneering, "He must be a liar because he's still alive and be sang like a bird."

At the beginning of the trial, the elder Hays, 70, thin, hunched with age, leaning on his cane, might have looked like a harmless old man. But Dees brought out that this old man had just finished a threeyear federal sentence on arson charges. And witnesses revealed that Hays first suggested that a black man be lynched to offset the fact that a predominantly black jury in Mobile had failed to convict a black defendant accused of killing a white policeman.

And after James "Tiger" Knowles and Henry Hays randomly plucked Michael Donald off the streets, murdered him and hung his body from a tree across from Henry's apartment, two witnesses said they beard the old man comment, "Ain't that a pretty sight."

Bennie Jack Hays tried to act as his own attorney in the trial, but when be rose to cross-examine a

witness be only strengthened Dee's case. Bad,ering Kyzar, be managed to bnng out that he once led the Mobile klavern on a tire-slasbin~ spree to punish anyone who might be watching a black Mardi Gras parade. He pressed harder and quickly got himself implicated in a firebombing incident.

The old man could only tell the jury that key witn~ in the case were lying. At one point the Grand Titan and his former Nighthawk, William O'Conner, bad a long exchange over which of the two had actually suggested lynching a black man.

Kyzar told bow be and the klavern's Exalted Cyclops, Frank Cox, who was also Hays' son-in-law, burned a cross on the courthouse

lawn the night of the lynching, then raced across the MobUe Bay causeway and screeched into a aervice station to uae a pay phone to call Henry Bays and report tbe1r mission accomplished. "But neither one of us bad any money," Kyzar said. "We couldn't call."

Tbe most dramatic moment of the trial came during final arpments. Tiger Knowles, a Klan member since be was 14, now serving a life sentence for a murder be committed when be was 17, tearfully told the jury bow the Klan bad ruined bis life and bow much be regretted bis crimes and that be &or.ct others might learn from bis mistakes. Be turned to Beulah Mae Donald, bis voice cracking with emotion, and said, "I can't bring

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your son back, Mrs. Donald. God knows that If I could trade places with him, I would."

Klan attorney John Mays then rose and, as If be was unable to adjust bis strategy to the unexpected speech by the ~defendant, talked of bow dispassionate Knowles bad been in bis testimony.

Evidence In the trial showed no sign of the KJansmen's famous unity. Dees produced a letter from Bennie Jack Hays describing bow Shelton burned documents the plaintiffs bad subpoenaed in the lawsuit. Kyzar and O'Conner and Bays and Cox took turns calling one another llan. Former Klansmentumed-lnformants described a long legacy of racial violence fomented b)'~ton _and tlae United Klans.

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And Shelton's lawyer, Mays, made no real attem~t . to protect any of the individual Klansmen named in the lawsuit.

After the trial, Dees walked over to O'Conner and Red Betancourt, who were both as shaken as any blue-collar worker might be in the face ol a ,1-million judgment. He took Betancourt's band, put bis arm around O'Conner and explained that be was more interested in the resources of United Klans and Bennie Bays then a couple of lowly, hapless Klan dropouts. He bad erased Teddy Kyzar from the list of the defendants the day before the case went to the jury.

Dees gave them a reassuring smile and slipped into bis rural Alabama drawl. '"Don't ya'll worry."

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A10

SUN., SEPT. 27, 1987

NORTH IDAHO SUNOA

Oginion

Promoting human rights dissipatesAryans' influence .

Almost a year ago Coeur d'Alene was thrust into the national spotlight. The publicity was unexpected and unwanted. First, a local priest's residence was bombed. Then, two weeks later, explosions rocked the downtown area in three different locations. Linked to the Aryan Nations, the events drew attention to the Aryans' doctrine of white supremacy.

Three men were arrested for the bombings, and all had previous ties to the Church of Jesus Christ Christian.

A year has gone by and the reaction of the community to those bombings and the subsequent publicity of Richard Butler's Aryan

group prompted renewed effort on the part of the community to combat the negative stories that North Ida ho is a haven for white supremacists. It also focused on a truth - that there is a group, small that it is, that promotes white supremacy in this area.

During the past year there has been an outpouring of community support for human rights, Bill Wassmuth, the priest whose home was bombed, reports. There is also more openness and discussion of minority rights.

The Human Rights Celebration held earlier this summer in the park helped to focus on the

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continuing concern of minority rights. Such an annual celebration could expand in the future, with supporting lecturers and seminars. North Idaho College's political scientist Tony Stewart has voiced his interest and support of this idea. Drawing on the interest and concerns of the Human Rights Task Force and providing a regional or national educational forum for human rights could again draw attention to this area. ¡ The fact that the Aryans are still a viable group causes concern among families who choose to live here despite the Aryans' beliefs.

And, the human rights issue goes deeper than racial and religious prejudices. It concerns families with special children. It concerns persons with handicaps. ¡ Butler, in talking about the bombings, says he was a victim of a smear campaign.

Although he has denied any link to the bombings, his words are these: Someday it probably would be necessary for white supremacists to resort to acts of violence ... We are carrying on as we have before.

We can't afford to carry on as we have before. The attitudes of Butler and his followers must be dispelled.

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W .a rriors of Hate Find -- No Homelarid in Idaho

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By TIMOTHY EGAN fll«ioltollw-Yonl',,,,..

HAYDEN LAKE, Idaho, Dec. 27 The Rev. Richard Glml Butler, head of IJ\e neo-Nazl sect based here In north· em Idaho, believes white people In the ,l'lorthwest will rally round him when Ile Is tried on Federal sedition charges.

But the communities surrounding the 20-acre headquarters of Mr. BuiJer's Aryan Na lions are doing Just t)'e

and piles of hate li1era1ure, Insists that " we will prevail."

But Ms. Givens said a c.lvil rights rally last summer drew five limes as many panJclpants as Mr. Butler's annual Aryan World Congress, held at the same lime. Compared with earlier ones, the Aryan rally of about 200 peopie "was Jus1a wimpy llule celebrallon that no one paid any a uenOon to," she

opposite,

In the la.st year some of the nation's said. stiffest la ws against racial and reliLeaders lo Prison gious harassment have been passcil In After several years of Federal prose- I Idaho. Followe.r s of Mr. Butler, a self· cullon, · most leaders of the neo-Nail

:or,i:lalned minister of the Chur.-ch of Jesus ChTlst Christian, have been · vlgorously prosecuted for church bombings and Olher vlolenl acts. Para. mUltary training Is now a state felony. . , Working together, a Roman Catholic

- Residents stand ·up against neo-Nazis. . '

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, riCSI an lndfa.n legislator and a Jew~ bu'sinessman have held a series of ',callfes and workshops and brought naLlonal civil rights leaders into the sparse I populated lake towns or north· em Idaho 10 speak against Mr, Buller and his doctrine of a.nll-SemlLl.s m and ra

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parallon.

Sta.nd Up and Be Counted'

movement In the Northwcs1 are In prison. have gone underground or have become Government informers. All 23 members or the Order, a violent off. shoot of the Aryan Nations. are in prison for bombings, bank robberies and murder In a plan to overthrow the Go,•emmenL. Robert Jay Mathews, the founder or the Order, died In a shoo1ou1 with Federal agents in 198-4. Two other members were convicted las1 month In the machine-gun slaying of Alan Berg. a radio talk show hos1 In Denver.

Last Aprll a Federal grand Jury In Fort Smith, Ark., indicted Mr. Buller and 13 others OI)_ charges of conspiring to overthrow JUie Government. The trial there Is ~eduJed to stan Feb. 16.

Nationally, the Aryan Nations has no more than 500 members, according 10 Irwin Sual ,or . th~ Anll-Deramalion League or B na1 B rilh In New York, which m.~nltors the acttvrlles or hate groups. In general, the hate movement has lost about half Its members In the last r.,•e years" he said. "The blows struck agalnsi them have been severe. I would say they are reeling."

In the Idaho panhandle. long known for its powder snow Jn winter and Its brook trout In summer, civic leaders say their area has been tarnished by the notoriety or the neo-Nazfs Hayden Lake's chief claim 10 fame ~fore Mr. Buller moved there was that fl was the summer home or Bing Crosby.

.. "Th.ts community has been examlnIng Its co.nsclence," said the legl~lator. ~tale ~epresentallve Jeanne Givens. 'nlere used to be a Uve-and-let-llve Bl· tllude aboUt these people. But the allf· tudenowlsstand up and becounled."

Mr. Butler's talk or a while homeland In the American West ts heard by Just II ba.ndful of followers these days. Once a week they hudd.le around a wood SlOVe tn a church that uses the Christian Facing Down the Nails cross and the Nazi swastlka as the "Now we're known for the Nazis, but chief symbols. Outside are an empty evenmally we'll be known as the comguard tower and a sign that says, "Wei- munfly that faced lhe Nazis and won," 1sold the Rev. BIii Wassmuth, a Catholic come Aryan warriors."

Thefr leader, a 69-year-old man priest whose Coeur d'Alene church was weakened by a heart attack who is sur- bombed las! year. rvunded by barking German shepherds "Th~y used to ride around town With

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Catholtc pm,i.t in Coeur d'Alene

" Now we're known for the Nazis, but eventually we'll be known as the community that faced the Nazi a and won."

The Rev. Richard G. Butler Head of o neo-Na.zi Bed

Says followers have i.cnt in St0,000 for his legal dden.se and wh ites will rally around him when he is tried.

Marshall M end Hayden Lol<e ren/-eoiate broker

Thc-l""r• var\: Tlnln!J"U Oft!ltn

. swastikas on th.e side or their arms" said Father Wassmuth. "They don'1 do that anymore. It's uncomfortable to come 10 North Idaho with that view."

Marshall Mend, 11 Hayden Lake real' estate broker, said that Koo1enaf County, which includes Coeur d'Alene and Hayden Lake, had a black and Jewish popula1lon of less than I percent

among its 70,000 citizens but added, "It's the farthest thlng there L,; from a racist community."

"We now have the toughest malicious harass men I laws In the country," Mr. Mend said. ·•our mistake was not bcin~ loud enough In the very begin· ning.'

Mr. Butlc_r, meanwhile, conunucs 10

"We now have the toughest malicious harassment laws in the country. Our mistake was not being loud enough in the very beginning."

Thf ","' Yon. 11,,,...,,JOA.J. 1•

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Ille armies In the world haven't been able to crush this klca yet..

I Mr. Broadbent, flW> Is considered one or the foremost n<"<>-Nul expens In lhl' country, says conllnued vigflance l:s needed. " I won'I pronounce them dead un1il they're gone," he said. "Bui they are dying. no question about that h 's ' '.They are trylnJ 10 klll an Idea, bui all just a gradual death."

-chum out bate literature and pam, phlets from his office here and says supponers have sent In $10,000 io help pay ror his trial defense. He calls his enemies, Including Father Wassmuth and Under Sherif! Larry Broadbent of Koo1enaJ County, "Jews" and says,

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A pause in the battle against .h ate But Wassmuth says Kootenai County Task Force still has much to do /- /7-'?f'

By D.F. Oliveria Stall writer

COEUR d' ALENE - The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations has arrived at a crossroads without a directional map.

A long string of human rights achievements lines the path it already has traveled. Still, task force leaders the Rev. Bill Wassmuth and Tony stewart feel the bulk of their work remains ahead.

"It would be foolish to say the problem (of racial and religious prejudice) has gone away,'' said Wassmuth during an interview from his St. Pius X Catholic Church office.

The work of the task force has has been touted nationwide - most recently Jan. 10 during NBC-TV's ''Sunday Today" show, in which this area was held up as a model in the national fight against racial and religious prejudice. "'ifask force chairman Wassmuth has been recognized as the state's Man of the Year by The Idaho Statesman newspaper and is under consideration for Syracuse University's first Courage Foundation Award.

The Legislature has enacted a task force.backed legislative package that makes human

• Task force profiles - A8 rights laws in Idaho among the toughest in the country. · Most importantly, the white supremacist movement, the focal point of task force activity to date, is in full retreat locally.

But Wassmuth's point about work remaining to be done was underscored Friday by Ida Leggett, a black Coeur d'Alene attorney.

In an address to Kootenai County Democratic Club members, she said her onlr son had been driven out of Coeur d'Alene High School last year by racial taunts from fellow students. He also had a knife pulled on him by a stran,er as he crossed Sherman Avenue because of his color, she said.

"That's not discrimination," she said. "That's life-threatening; that's hate."

Wassmuth has maintained all along that the task force doesn't exist just to oppose the overt racism of the Aryan Nations. He realizes that the journey toward equality isn't over, but admits the task force has no particular itinerary now.

''We in the task force have never known for

sure what the next year bolds," explained Stew-

art in an interview at his North Idaho College campus omce. Stewart, who replaced Wassmuth as president of the fleddiog North· west Coalition Against Malicious Rarassment, chairs the college's political science department.

The two activists paused to discuss the future of the task force almost a year to the day that Coeur d'Alene received the first Raoul Wallenberg Civic Award from the Wallenberg Committee of the United States. The city was honored for its human rights achievements.

Wassmuth was one of three local representatives who traveled to New York to accept the honor.

According to Wassmuth, the future thrust of the task force likely will center on the following issues: • Covert local prejudice against Native Americans.

Task force members plan to circulate petitions at Monday's Martin Luther King Jr. Day (See Talk Force oa page 8)

Task Force celebration here at North Idaho College in support of the Coeur d'Alene Indian Tribe. Tribal leaders have been frustrated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Services in their bid to gain funding to construct a health facility in conjunction with the city of Plummer.

Wassmutb also wants to see Idaho history books rewritten to accurately reflect the role of Indians in the state's development and a possible cultural exchange between white Coeur d'Alene students and tribal members.

• Education.

The task force is working with local school districts to develop programs dealing with prejudice and discrimination. Addittonally, it cosponsors the Martin Luther King Day celebration, which bas attracted about 1,000 participants in each of its first two years, and was a driving force behind the Coeur d' ~lene Library's extensive human

rights section.

• Legislation.

The organization is supporting a bill that would coordinate hatecrime reporting in Idaho.

• Continued involvement and support of Stewart's Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment. The five-state organization grew out of the task force's first Human Rights Celebration in July 1986.

The organization recently voted to disband the summer celebration.

Wassmuth eXP.lained that the event bad served its purpose: to alert other Northwest states to the imminent danger of the white supremacist movement and to send a message to Aryan Nations leaders that racism won't be tolerated here.

"That message was sent loud and clear," he said.

The King Day observance is sufficient to show the community's ongoing stand against racism now, he said. The celebration is scheduled

(Continued from page l} from 10:30 a.m. until noon Monday at NIC. The event will be broadcast live over Cablevision's Channel 13.

King Day, the libr.ary's human rights section, enacted legislation and the coalition support the task force's ongoing efforts, Stewart said. The most important matter left undone, he said, is to find funding for a full-time coalition office and staff.

The Courage Foundation could provide that funding if it selects Wassmutb for its first award. That comes with a $30,000 stipend, paid to the recipient's favorite charity or organization.

Wassmuth is a finalist for Courage Foundation honors. Winner of the award may be announced by the end of the month.

Stewart, an NIC instructor since 1970, said a coalition office is needed to document and respond to racial incidents in the Northwest.

During his two months as coalition

president, Stewart bas received reports of such incidents in Roseburg and Portland, Ore.; Kent, Wash.; and Montana. Community leaders from Westminster West, Vt., contacted him six weeks ago after racists burned a cross on a black family's lawn.

The attention created by the ~wing list of honors - the Coeur d'Alene chamber's Distinguished Citizen of 1985, the Giraffe Project's recognition in March 1986, the Idaho Statesman's acknowledgement and now the possible Courage Foundation award - tends to embarrass Wassmuth. He tries to share those honors with the 250member organization.

Yet he realizes that he is a rallying point for the local human rights movement.

"I've been thrust into a spot," he said. "Sometimes, things have gotten a little out of hand. I happen to think God was involved."

Despite his religious background,

Wassmuth will continu~ to resist pressure to incorporate a Christian slant to his human rights message.

That would be inapproriate, he said, because so many human rights advocates - for example, those in the Jewish community aren't motivated by so-called Christian principles.

"We need to keep this on a common denominator," he said.

Task force leaders are busy rewriting their bylaws to add more structure to the organization, par- . ticularly now that the supremacists are fading as an outside unifying force.

To this point, composition of the 15-member executive committee has been informal and haphazard.

Wassmuth said he bas been·amazed )low the right people seemed to have gravitated to appropriate leadership spots. The new bylaws will designate slots for minorities on the executive board. Currently, there is a spot for a representative

of the Coeur d'Alene Indian Tribe.

A Jew and a black also are part of the current board.

The key to the change, said Wassmutb, is to make it without becoming bureaucratic or drowning the task force's enthusiasm. It is necessary, he said, because the top committee "has become too lily white."

Neither Wassmuth nor Stewart know what awaits the local and regional human riJbts movements.

Stewart predicted that what is happening now in the Northwest someday will be recorded in history books - maybe as a footnote - as a positive example of bow equality and fairness won a victory at the close of the 20th Century.

Until then, he said, the fight has just started, and it involves a lifelong commitment.

"What ls left undone," said Stewart, "Is much greater than what has been done."

A8 The Spokesman-Review Spokane Chronicle

Spokane, Wash., Sun .. Jan. 17, 1988

• Task Force leadership IS diverse;_its aim isn't

By D.F. Oliveria Staff lllrlltr

The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations bas main· tained a steady membership of about 250 durlng the last two years.

Formed in·late 1980 in response to a raclal incident near Hayden Lake, It was dormant for 18 months after the 1983 Idaho Legislature.

During that session, lawmakers passed a malicious harassment bill that was written and backed by the task for ce in response to growing lncidents of racial and religious harassment ln North Idaho.

The task force was revived In fall of 1984 under the leadership of the Rev. Bill Wassmutb, pastor of St. P lus X Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene. News of violent crimes perpetrated by The Order, an offshoot of Richard Butler's Aryan Nations, was the motivating factor.

The orga.nization ls governed by a 15-person executive committee, including the chairmen of its six committees: public alialrs/ speakers bureau, community involvement, victim's support, education, community response and legal.

Following are profiles some key e.xecutive committee members: Marahall Mencl, one of the region's most successful real estate agents, was prompted by self-preservation to join the Kootenai County Task Force on Buman Relations.

He had no idea that Kootenai County was an Aryan Nations stronghold when he moved his family here from Los Angeles in March 1980. Several months later, be was

shaken when wb.ite supremacists painted swastikas and graffiti on Chef Rosen's, a Hayden Lake restaurant owned by a fellow Jew. Mend, 48, was one of a handful of people who met at Rosen's afterward in a show of support for Rosen. That gathering was a forerunner of the early task force movement. " I was there for self-preservation," said Mend, chairman of the Community Response Committee. " I wanted to know who was going to be on my side."

Mend's transformation into a human ri~hts advocate parallels tbe evolution of the task force. At first, he was concerned about personal safety. Then, his concern was one of economics. Be felt that the presence of an Aryan Nations compound north of Hayden was hurting business. " I bad a tough time dealing with the problem in a positive way," said Mend, a disciple of the positive-thinking philosophy. " I felt we bad to get ricfof the Aryans, stomp them oul. That wasn't the answer.'

More appropriate, Mend said, was the response advocated by task force leader Bill Wassmuth: "Saying yes to human ri~t.s is the best way to say no to preJudice." He believes the only thing missing in North Idaho now is a diversity of races and religions.

Glnnr DeLong first encountered prejudice more than 50 years ago in her native Ob.io.

The minister who lived across tbe street from her family wouldn't

let bis children play with a neighborhood Jewish family. Outraged, Ginny's father, an attorney, led the fight to oust the bigoted pastor.

'1 was given a background of accepting everyone with dignity no matter what he believed," DeLong said.

DeLong, 58, is a First Presbyterian Church elder and wife of a local veterinarian. She heads the Victims Committee of the task force. Her training in hospice care gives her bwght into dealing with people who have gone through a traumatic ~rience.

'It makes me angry that others take advantage of a person solely based upon that person's color or name.," she said, adding that her work with the Victims Committee also helps her understand how complex the problem is.

The DeLongs moved her from Ohio 14 years ago. Dave DeLong had been captivated by the area while stationed at Farragut Naval Station during World War Il. A full-page newspaper ad, sponsored by the Aryan Nations, tarn· isbed some of their enthusiasm for their new home. She joined the task force three years ago to combat the spread of white supremacism.

Since then, DeLong said, she also has developed feelings for "people on the other side of the fence," the wb.ite supremacists themselves.

They're victims of their own ha· tred, she said.

Walt Washington was told by friends in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department that he'd lost

his mind when be announced his intention to move to North Idaho.

Hadn't he been reading the papers? The Panhandle was widely known as a haven for racists, they said.

And Washington, 49 and a 13year veteran oI the department, is black.

"I almost didn't come " be admitted. , Washington moved here in October 1986, one month after white supremacists bad bombed the home of the Rev. Bill Wassmuth and planted four bombs around the city of Coeur d'Alene. He bad been attracted to the area 12 years ago during a white-water raft trip on the Salmon River.

He bad purchased a house in Coeur d'Alene earlier in the year and had to be talked out of selling it after the bombings.

Washington admits he felt intimidated during his first six months here. That feeling returned the following summer when the Aryan Nations held Its annual world congress at Richard Butler's com-

pound.

However, in the 18 months he's been here, Washington said, he hasn't been subject to racial slurs.

In fact, he believes, .people have gone out of their way to be friendly to him. " I have had nothing but good rapport with everyone I've met," he said. "I have felt â&#x20AC;˘ threatened bere than in Los Angeles."

Washington is attempting to start a aeafood outlet, WWJ Enterprises,

with the help of the Panhandle Area Council's business incubltor.

Norm Glaael, a Coeur d'Alene attorney, can't remember when he hasn't been involved in human rights -causes.

Gissel, 47, long has been active in the Idaho Association of Retarded Citizens - representing the most powerless of minorities - and was instrumental in the 1960s in opening the Delta Tau Delta fraternity on the University of Idaho campus to Asian-Americans.

Giasel didn't immerse himself in the local fight for human rights until Bill Wassmuth reactivated the task force three years ago. Previously, be did some work with thenCity Attorney Dana Wetzel drafting the state's malicious harassment bill, which became law in 1983.

As chairman of the task force Spea.lters' Committee, Gissel bas s&ouldered much of the demand for leader Bill Wassmuth's services as a speaker. He bas traveled widely and spoken to diverse groups, among them the Asian Reform Alliance Association, a human rights organization of convicts at Washington State Penitentiary.

Although his work with the task force limits his free time, Gissel said it also has enriched his life immeasurably. It has given him an opportunity to meet civil rights leaders.

He feels the battle against racial and religious intolerance doesn't require tlie presence of groups like the Aryan Nations. ''To do our job as well and com-

e1etely as we want to," be said, 'will require us to continue in existence long after the Aryan Nations becomes a footnote in social history books."

Tony Stewart is considered by Bill Wassmutb a like-minded brother in arms in the regional war against racism and ~udice.

So it would bave natural for Wassmuth to lobby for Stewart when charter members of the Northwest Coalition Aga.i nst Malicious Harassment met in Helena, Mont., in December to choose Wassmutb's successor as president.

But the Catholic priest said he couldn't campaign for Stewart because the coalition bad become "too Coeur d'Alene-oriented."

Still, the coalition executive board selected Stewart.

"He's much more systematic and organized than I am," Wassmuth said of his friend. "I tend to fly by the seat of my pants."

Stewart, 461 is bead ol the political science aepartment at North Idaho College. llis parents said he was born an activist; by age 9., be was writing congressman in bis native North Carolina in support of civil rights legislation.

In 1960, Stewart was involved in a frightening racial incident, he said. He was a freshman at Weste.r n carouna University, campaigning for a Jewish candidate for Congress. A group of students ran the car in which he and the candidate were riding into a ditch.

Stewart bas been at NIC since 1970.

Father Bill to leave Cd'A Priesrs future plans unknown

By NILS ROSDAHL Special to the Press

The Rev. Bill Wassmutb, pastor of St. Pius X Catholic Church and nationally known leader of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, sh.ocked parishioners Sunday by aonouncing his resignation.

So stunned were church members at Wassmuth's announcement at the end of services that few joined in the recessional hymn.

Father Bill, as he is affectionately known throughout Coeur d' Alene, Idaho and the Northwest, is leaving North Idaho in June. He declined to say why be is leaving or where he is going, other than to say "1 have to resolve some personal issues." He also declined to say whether he would remain in the priesthood.

The announcement comes two weeks after Wassmuth was named 1987 Citizen of the Year for Idaho.

The honor by the Idaho Statesman newspaper of Boise primarily was in recognition of bis work in the Idaho human rights movement, an interest which many people believe may be leading him to another calling away from his devoted parish in Coeur d'Alene.

Wassmuth, however, would not say what his plans are.

•'This last announcement doesn't come out good anyway that I do it," Wassmutb told his parishioners Saturday and Sunday.

"After more than a year of thought, I've chosen to end my timeatSt. PiusandCoeurd'Alene.

Coeur d'Alene Presa me ohoto

Father BIii on Sunday announced he will leave Coeur d'Alene.

"I need time to deal with personal issues in my life; it (the decision) doesn't have anything to do with you,•' he told members of the 750-family church. ''I've had good years here.

"I want us to work together these next five months ; I don't want this to be considered a lameduck time," he said. "I want these months to be a time to energize each other. In my heart I'm at peace with this decision. I've spent a lot of time with it. I want the corning months to be a positive time. It's the changes in our lives that have brought us the most growth. " Idaho Catholic Bishop Sylvester

Treinen has known Wassmuth might leave since last June, Wassmuth said. Treinen will begin the process of selecting a new priest for St. Pius in February and will announce his choice several months later, Wassmuth said.

Originally from Greencreek, nea.r Cottonwood, Wassmuth was educated in the Northwest and ordained in Greencreek in 1967. He served parishes in Caldwell and McCall and held diocese positions in education before coming to St. Pius in 1979. During the past nine years St. Pius grew from 450 to 750 families, prompting Wassmuth to spirit a drive two years ago to build a new sanctuary to seat more than

750 people. St. Pius bas three services each weekend.

Wassmuth became actively interested in supporting human rights through his involvement with the Cult Awareness Center in Coeur d'Alene in 1980. In early 1985 he was asked to bead the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations when the Aryan Nations, a white supremacist group with its national headquarters north of Hayden Lake, increased Its activities.

In September of 1986 Wassmuth made national news when his house was bombed, allegedly by white supremacists. He escaped injury when the bomb was detona ted at the rear entry to bis bowie.

Wassmuth still chairs the Task ~ Force on Human Relations, which 0 will honor the memory and ideals of the late Dr. Martin Luther King z at a dinner tonight. Wassmuth said ~ it is coincidental that his resigna- ~-< tion announcement comes on the 'weekend honoring the slain black ~ human rights leader. c Last year Wassmuth helped or- > ganize and served as chairman of ~ the five-state Northwest Coaltion ~ Against Malicious Harrassment, ? formed to prevent actions by hate ~ groups and individuals. ~ Efforts of the Task Force on Hu- a, man Relations and the Northwest Coalition have led to passage of five pieces of human rights legislation by the Idaho Legislature. A year ago Wassmufh was c»recipient of the Raoul Wallenberg Civic Award, presented in New York City to the City of Coeur d'Alene for its human rights achievements. Wassmutb now is be1ng considered for the Syracuse UniPlease see l!AVE, page 10

n

0 a, C

,

a. m

-:, la

n, n,

'He will never be forgotten'

DISMAY

Wassmuth word brings dismay, regret Dismay and regret topped the reaction this morning by Coeur d' Alene residents at the newa that the Rev. Bill Wusmuth plans to leave the Lake City.

Tony Stewart, president of the Northwest Coalition against Malicious Harassment, called Wassmutb "one of the most extraordinary citizens this comm unity bas ever bad."

The coalition is much stronger since Wassmuth'a involvement , Stewart said.

Wassmuth is past president of the group. ''Father Bill bas done more in nine years in this community than many of us do in a lifetime," Stewart said. " He' s the kind of leader you don't replace."

The coalition will reorganize its leadership and continue to work against malicious haruament. be said.

Kootenai County Undersheriff Larry Broadbent, allo active in the coalition, was saddened by the news. " It certainly will leave a real empty spot in the lives of... those who have worked closely

-I

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Wassmutb , whose civicmindedness was obvious through his involvement with various boards and committees, will be sorely m.laed, Coeur d'Alene Mayor Pro Tem Dixie Reid said this morning.

Council President Reid la acting mayor while Mayor Ray Stone is on vacation. " That's the worst news rve beard in just forever," Reid said. " They say everybody's replaceable, but thJs is one case

, ~~77 •¥ '

•

11

contributed a lot of bimself to the area."

Although Wassmuth bas not a nnounced bis future plans, Stewart was convinced that wherever he goes, be will retain his commitment to human rights. " Knowing Father Bill, be will continue on with the same dedi.catlon to humanity he's bad here," Stewart said. " It's important to look at bow lucky we were be was here nine years."

Broadbent agreed. " He will never be forgotten," he said.

10 THE COE\.l_R D'ALENE PRE~ Monday. January 18, 1988

I

uld.

P11me ... DISMAY, page 10 with him ...

11

where I really question that.

Wassmuth bas been a contributing citizen to Kootenai County, County Commissioner Evalyn Adams said this morning, adding that all of Kootenai County will miss him. " We would wish him well, whatever his future is, Adams said.

Sadie Brooten, past regent of Catholic Daughter s, was " shocked " by t he news.

Wassmuth's parting is a great loss to the community, she said. " He's a man with outstanding leadership and organiz.ational abilities," she said. "He bas

I

I

I\

LEAVE

paid to the charity or organization of the recipient' s choice.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Regarding hls human rights interests and his plans to le.ave Coeur d'Alene, Wassmuth said, " I feel

versity Foundation Award, which would inelude a $30,000 stipend

very blessed to have served alongside such outstanding people, and I am confident that they will quitP capably continue the great work that still needs to be done for human rights."

Wassmuth leaving CdA Leader of human rights movement resigns as church pastor

By D.F. Oliveria

Staff IAlril et

remain ln the priesthood, but did say be will leave the immediate

COEUR d'ALENE - The Rev. area.

Bill Wassmuth, guiding light of the "It wasn't a sudden thing," human lights movement in North Wassmuth said in an interview folIdaho, bas resigned as pastor of Sl lowing the third annual Martin LuPius X Catholic Church, effective in ther King Jr. Day celebration at June.

North Idaho College, where be Wassmuth announced bis deci- spoke briefly. sion privately to the Catholic parish The 46-year-old priest said be council Thursday and publicly to bad been considering such a move his congregation beginning with the for several years and bad talked to Saturday evening service.

Idaho Bishop Sylvester Treinen of He declined to discuss his plans Boise about it last June. and would say only that be ls leavIn 1986, be was appointed to bis ing for personal reuona. He also second six-year term as pastor of wouldn't say whether be plans to the congregation of 920 bouseholda.

Be is the fourth pastor of the 26year-old church.

Parishioner Nils Rosdabl said the congregation was shocked by Wassmuth's surprise announcement - so much so that few joined in the recessional hymn at the end of Sunday's services. ltosdabl, a North Idaho College Journalism instructor, quoted \Vassmuth as telling the congregation: " I need time to deal with personal issues in my life; it (the decision) doesn't have anything to do with you. I've bad goocf years here. ''I want us to work together these (See Leavba& OD page 6)

next five months; I don't want this to be considered a lame-duck time.

I want these months to be a time to energize each other. "lo my heart I'm at peace with this dec1Sion. I've spent a lot of time with it. I want the coming months to be a positive time. It's the changes in our lives that have brought us the most growth."

Dave Peters, head of the St. Pius parish council, said the church was saddened and shocked.

"The most important thing, though," said Peters. "is that we support Bill. He supported us all those years."

Peters described Wassmuth as a minister who lived the Gospel as well as preaching it.

Before Wassmutb, Peters said, be was just a Sunday Catholic. ''He challenged people to make their parish life the center of their life," Peters said, "and through bis involvement as a community leader, be showed us it was OK to be Catholic and part of the community."

Peters is legislative committee chairman of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations.

Wassmuth is task force chairman.

Wassmutb, known as " Father 8111" to both parishioners and task force members, said in the interview be won't miss the spoWght.

An attempt on bis life by white supremacists in September 1986 thrust Wassmuth and the work of the task force into the national limelight. Three men affiliated with the Aryan Nations allegedly tried to assassinate him by placing a bomb in a traab can at bis back doorstep. No one was burt.

As a result of the bombing and

his work with the task force,

Wassmuth has won such honors as the Coeur d' Alene Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizen Award in 1985, the nation!il Giraffe Project award in March 1986, and the 1987 Citizen of the Year of The Idaho Statesman. He is a finalist for Syracuse University's first Courage Foundation award.

"It bas gotten a bit out of hand," said Wassmuth. "The spotlight belongs on the whole task force.

There bas been a bit of a myth created around me. It's become a little bigger than life."

On the other band, be said, the bombing and subsequent awards have been instrumental in enabling

,

The Rev. Bill Wassmuth Is leaving for personal reasons. his organization to push successful-

If for tough human rights legisla-

tion in Idaho and launch the fivestate Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment.

Wassmutb said bis congregation has "plenty of ener~ and steam" to continue without him. "If there's a significant decrease in energy of the parish, task force and coalition because of my leaving, that's more of a reason I have to go."

North Idaho College instructor Tony Stewart, a longtime friend of the priest's and new coalition president, said Wassmutb is one of those few people who are irreplaceable.

However, be said, there is a deep level of commitment among task force members and the work will continue.

"We are lucky we bad Bill for

nine years," Stewart said. "Most of mittee is expected to approve those us in our whole lifetime don't make changes at Its February meeting. the same impact as be did in just In bis remaining five months

nine years."

Wassmuth's announcement caught bis closest friends on the task force by surprise. Executive committee members Marshall Mend and Undersheriff Larry Broadbent said they didn't know he was considering such an action until after the priest bad told bis parish.

Wassmutb said he hasn't groomed anyone to take over bis role as task force leader. However, be said, bis pending decision motivated him to push for a restructuring of the organization's bylaws, to provide a chain of succes-

sion.

The task force executive com-

be.r e, Wassmuth said, be would like to oversee a smooth transition in task force leadership and concentrate on his duties as a minister.

'1 have a whole lot of pastoring to do," be said. "I would like to do that as wholeheartedly as I can."

Wassmuth entered Catholic seminary at age 14 and bas been a priest for 20 years. Originally from Greencreek in Lewis County, he was ordained in 1967 and became assistant pastor in Caldwell. He later was pastor at McCall and in the education office of diocesan headquarters in Boise before coming to Coeur d'Alene on June 6. 1979.

During his tenure, the congregation grew from 450 families to_920.

I I 1- f:r

Task force's leader difficult to replace If there's one thing the Rev. Bill Wassmutb won't tolerate, it's intolerance.

For the past nine lears, Wassmutb bas been pastor of S . Pius X Roman Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene. But be is more widely known as the chairman of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations.

In those two roles, be bas been not only a spiritual leader to the members of bis parish but also a model of conscience and courage to bis community.

When North Idaho found its moral integrity under assault by a band of white supremacists who hoped to make the Inland Northwest an enclave for bigotry, Wassmuth was an influential leader in the counterattack.

But on Monday, Wassmutb announced be will be leaving bis pastoral post in June; be said be plans to move from the Coeur d'Alene area then.

Wassmutb, who helped provide a steadying influence in the community during times of tension and strife, will be missed.

It is worth noting that Wassmuth's announcement came on the federal holiday set aside to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the slain civil-rights leader whose accomplishments and whose cause Wassmuth regularly praised.

The question now facing the Coeur d'Alene area is whether Wassmuth's departure, coupled wiih an apparent decline in the influence of Hayden Lake-based white surremacists, will result in the demise o the Task Force on Human Relations and its work.

As for Wassmuth, he said in an interview conducted before be made bis plans known that the group's work is Just as important as ever: "It would be foolish to say the problem has gone away."

That is about what you'd expect from a man who once said the Aryans actually may have done Coeur d'Alene a favor by forcing the community to examine the issue of prejudice.

Indeed, being alert to bigotry is an ongoing task for any enlightened community, but Wassmutb's leadership in that effort will be bard to replace.

Recognized nationally as well as locally for bis work, Wassmuth bas emphasized a positive approach. When the Aryans chose North Idaho as the location for national gatherinp, the task force, under Wassmuth s guidance, responded not with placardwaving protests but with a separate Human Rights Celebration in Coeur d'Alene, thus capturing media attention as an upbeat counterpoint to the ugliness going on nearby.

"If we are not actively promoting justice and equality, then prejudice and racism will start coming back into our society," the clergyman once told a high-school group which bad been inspired by the Task Force on Human Relations.

In bis relatively brief tenure in this area, Wassmuth bas racked up an impressive list of accomplishments. He was named the Idaho Statesman's "Man of the Year" for Idaho and the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce's "Citizen of the Year"; be helped found Hospice of North Idaho; be led the drive to create the five-state Northwest Coalition A4ainst Malicious Harassment; be was mstrumental in Coeur d' Alene's selection for the Raoul Wallenberg Civic Award presented a year ago in New York.

For his work, Wassmuth has been rewarded with a pipe bomb being planted at bis home 10 September 1986.

The bomb, later linked to the Aryan Nations, injured no one but did $3,000 in damage.

In the wake of the Challenger spaceshuttle tragedy in 1986, Wassmuth said of the seven astronauts who died that they were "special people who chose to climb rather than to watch."

Like those climbers, Bill Wassmuth bas been an irrepressible citizen activist, too offended by injustice to sit by and watch.

SPOKANE CHRONICLE, TUES., JAN. 19, 1988

AS

IDAHO

Wassmuth won't discuss ¡plans

By D.F. Oliveria Staff write,

COEUR d'ALENE -

The Rev. Bill Wassmuth, guiding Ught of the human rights movement in North Idaho, won't discuss his plans after resigning as pastor of St. Pius X Catholic Church, effective in June.

Wassmuth announced bis decision privately to the Catholic parish council Thursday and publicly to bis congregation beginning with the Saturday evening service.

He declined to discuss his plans and would say only that be is leaving for personal reasons. He also wouldn't say whether h.e plans to remain in the priesthood, but did say he is leavmg the immediate

area.

" It wasn't a sudden thing,'' Wassmuth said in an interview following the third annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at North Idaho College. where be spoke briefly.

The 46-year-old priest said he bad been considering such a move for several years and bad talked to Idaho Bishop Sylvester Treinen of Boise about it last June.

In 198S, be was appointed to bis leCODd six-year term as pastor of the congregation of 920 households.

Be Ls the fourth pastor of the 2Syear-old church.

Parishloner Nils Rosdahl said the congregation wu shocked by Wuamuth'â&#x20AC;˘ mrprlae announcement - IO much so that few joJned 1n the recessional hymn at the end of Sunday's services. lo a ~ to the Coeur d'Alene

Press, North Idaho College journal-

The Rev. BIii Waaamuth ism instructor Rosdahl reported Wassmuth telling the congregation: "I need time to deal with personal issues in my life; it (the decision) doesn't have anything to do with you. rve bad good years here.

"I want us to work to~ether these next five months; I don t want this to be considered a lame-duck time.

I want these months to be a time to energize each other.

"In my heart rm at peace with this decision. I've spent a lot of time with il I want the coming months to be a positive time. It's the changes ln our llves that have brought us the most growth."

Wassmuth, known as ''Father Bill" to both parishioners and members of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations be cbalrs, said In the interview he won't miss the spoUlght.

An attempt on bia life by white supremacists In September 198S thrust Wuamuth and the work of tbe task force Into the national llmellpt. Three men afflllated with the Aryan Nattoaa allecedly

tried to assassinate him by placing a bomb in a trash can at his back doorstep. No one was hurt.

As a result of the bombing and bis work with the task force, Wassmuth has won such honors as the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizen Award in 1985, the national Giraffe Project award in March 1986, and the 1987 Citizen of the Year of The Idaho Statesman. He is a finalist for Syracuse University's first Courage Foundation award.

"It bas gotten a bit out of band," said Wassmuth. "The spotlight belongs on the whole task force.

There has been a bit of a myth created around me. It's become a little bigger than llie."

On the other band, be said, the bombing and subsequent awards have been instrumental in enabllng bis organization to push successful~ Jy for tough human rights leglslatlon in Idaho and launch the fivestate Northwest Coalltion Against Malicious Harassment.

Wassmuth said his congregation bas "plenty of energy and steam" to continue without him. " If there's a significant decrease in energy of the parish, task force and coalition because of my leaving, that's more of a reason I have to go."

North Idaho College instructor Tony Stewart, a longtime friend of the priest's and new coalition president, said Wusmuth la one of those few people who are irreplaceable.

However, he said, there is a deep level of commitment among task force members and the work will continue.

"We are lucky we bad Bill for

nine years," Stewart said. "Most of us in our whole llietime don't make

the same impact as be did in just nine years."

Wassmuth's announcement caught his closest friends on the task force by surprise. Executive. committee members Marshall Mend and Undersberlff Larry Broadbent said they didn't know be was considering such an action until after the priest bad told his parish.

Wassmuth said be hasn't been grooming anyone to take over bis role as task force leader. However, be said, his pending decision motivated him to push for a restructuring of the o~\8:nzation's bylaws, to provide a of succession.

The task force executive committee is expected to approve those changes at Its February meeting.

In bis remainn'{ five months here, W.a ssmuth sai be would like to oversee a smooth transition in task force leadership and concentrate on bis duties as a minister.

"I have a whole lot of pastoring to do," he said. '1 would like to do that as wholeheartedly as I can.''

Wassmutb entered Catholic seminary at age 14 and has been a priest for 20 years. Originally from Greencreek in Lewis County, he was ordained ln 1967 and became aaaistant pastor in Caldwell. He later was pastor at McCall and in the education office of diocesan headquarters in Boise before coming to Coeur d'Alene on June 6, 1979.

During bis tenure, the congregation grew from 4SO families to 920.

Statewide

DE SERET NEWS ~ocal-Regional! B 1-819 Deaths/819

Sunday, January 17, 1988 -----~

44

Utah

Aryan Nations, admittedly racist aid led by Rlch3rd Butler, center, has been llnked to slaylngs, bombings and vandalism. The organi~tion plans to open a regional headquarters In Utah.

Aryan .Nations µnveiled new•

I

Edttor'u note: Recent reports Indicating the Ary· • an Nattona - an admitted racist organlzaUOn - plans to "'°va Into Utah, have sparked protests from local residents and denouncements from COfM\Unlty leaders. a.

.

hind the angry rhetoric on both aides, what Is the truth about this neo-Nazl faction? The Deseret N-1 tent atatf writer Lee Davidson to the group's base In northem Idaho to find out. Hare la his report.

a, Lee Davidson

Deseret News staff writer

Sid Rosen is the type of man the Aryan Nations hate.

He is a Jew, so the Aryan Nations claim he is a literal descendent of Satan. Worse, he has a farm ·.in Hayd n Lake, Idaho - "the world capital of the white race (which bas no Jews) " according to an Nations leader Richard Butler. l used to own a restaurant up here," Rosen d. "The Aryan Nations painted swas~ and dllier Natl graffiti all over it. They also kept Uending me hate mail and threats. It got scary. ~ou just can't live like that:" When Rosen heard that the Aryan Nations Id Utah news reporters it is a non-violent ~up and not really white supremacist, be just l,aughed. ''Thats amazing. Lies, they're just

t:

lies."

The Rev. Bill Wassmuth, a Catholic priest in earby Coeur d Alene, calls them "pure, unadul~ted lies." He remembers how Connie Fort a white divorcee with racially mixed children as harassed into moving away from Idaho. The an Nations say their worst enemies are wbltes who marry people of other races.

The Rev. Wassmuth, who leads local opposition to the Aryan Nations, also remembers enjoying a quiet night on Sept. 15, 1986 - until a bomb exploded on his porch, sending shrapnel Please see ARYAN on B2

' {lying through his house. Som~ l_andd at his feet, but he escaped mJury.

In following days, Coeur d'Alene seemed under enemy attack as thr_ee Mmbs exploded around town, mcludi11g one al the federal building. A f(mrtih failed to explode. Police arr sted four Aryan Nations sympathizers. One confessed lo ~elpmg plant U1e bombs: trial is pending for the others.

Those are a few examples of how neighbors of Ute Aryan Nations say the group - despite its claims in 'Utah - is violent, racist, supremadst and dangerous. But they also s~y it appears to be on its last legs m northern ldaho, with only a few support er left. And Butler, its leader, is scheduled to face a sedition trial in Ft. Smith, Ark., next month. · But Butler, whose Aryan Nations group is officially called ~e ~hurc_h of Jesus Christ Christian, insists his church is healthy, is following God's laws and is non-violent. · What is the truth, and what is ·mere h p about the Aryan Nations?

Following are claims a~d c~unter'claims about the groups v1olence, s'up r macist views and plans to open a regional center in Utah. iOLENCE - Dwight McCarthy, ·regional head of the Aryan Nations ,fu tab and host of the short-lived "Aryan Nations Hou r" radio show, told the press tbat the church 'is not . iolent. but a splinter group from it .called The Order is. . Members of The Order hav been convicted of murdering a Jewish talk , how host i.n Denver, a Missouri Highway Patrolman and a while su_premacist they thought had become a.11 informant. They also have been harged with robbing armored cars :ind banks and conspiring to overUnow the government. · Bu McCarthy said it is unfair to lame 3 larger group for what a : splinter group might do.

The R v. Wassmuth doesn't buy th t argument. ''Butler's a preacher, ~ nd be has to take accountability for · ms words. Many people have become violent after listening to his preachin "

Th Rev. Wassmutb adds, "Butler \uis called for a race war . . . and for • the takeover of the five Northwest. rn sta es as a homeland for the Aryau race. That's preaching violence." . · Another sign that close ties may ·e:x· t between the Aryan Nations and The Order is that the mother of The Order member Da id C. Tate, who wa convicted of murdering a highway p trolman in Missouri, works in the ryan Nations' office with Butler.

Life magaiin eport said she

PHOTOGRAPHY/ LEE DAVIDSON

Hayden Lake's Church of Jesus Christ Christian includes a crou - and a tower for defense. stood proudly when a congress of supremacist groups meeting at the Aryan Nations compound in 1986 applauded and cheered when the name of her son and other members of The Order were read.

But she told the Deser et News.

"They were not applauding the killing. They were applauding my son's devotion and courage as a young Christian. He wasn't guilty. It was s'elf-de{ense."

Some of Butler's rhetoric condones violence, even if it may not promote it. For example, be comp lained during an interview about the manslaughter conviction of youths in Howard Beach, N.Y., for chasing a black onto a highway where he was struck and killed . '"They were just doing what comes naturally, that's protecting their neighborhood and race from intrusion," he said.

Part of Butler's trouble with sedition charges comes from his desire to O\'erthrow "ZOG," Zionist Occupied Government, which is what he calls the curre.n t U.S. government. He claims J ews have secretly bought out or taken over the government and misconstrued the Constitution.

He wants Aryans to overcome ZOG and " take back control of the government." Butler wrote in his ··Platform for the Aryan National State" that ·•a ruthless war must be waged against any whose activities are injurious to the common interest and that there be an immediate cessation of dishonoringjhe nation."

'

But he still insists that he and his group are not violent. ''We can achieve our goals peacefully. We don·t advocate murder or anything like that."

Richard F. Masker, who lives al the Aryan Nations compound but does not belong to the Aryan Nations Church, also swears that the group Is not only non-violent but is kind.

When Masker lost his job as a supervisor of the Corvallis. Ore., waler department for publicly declaring his anti-Semitic views, be said bis wife divorced him and he had no money and nowhere to tum. ''Rev. Butler invited me to come stay with him. No one else on earth would.help me."

But the Rev. Wassmulh says Masker and Butler have ulterior motives when they make claims of non-violence. "They can't be openly violent. or I.bey would be arrested. But the re<:ard of all the people around them who have been arrested for violence speaks for itself."

WRITE SUPREMACY - Wben McCarthy canceled the "Aryan Nations Hour" radio show in Utah, be complained that the press incorrectly described his group as "white supremacist."

He said, "We do not offer any claims to racial superiority . .. We do not say U1at whites are better than anyone else. We are not white supremacists, we are white separatists.

We believe races should live separately."

Butler also told lhe...,Deseret News

that he is not really a supremacist whee it comes to believing that one race is smarter or physically more capable than another. But he said the white race is "the elect" chosen by God to receive his fullest blessings.

He said the Bible was written only for that race.

Butler's teachings go further. He

claims that J ews are literally the descendants of Satan.

"He (the d evil) seduced Eve. Cain

was the result, and the Jews are his descendants." He.said Jews are jealous or God's promises to the white race, and they want to destroy it by encouraging such things as racial intermarriage.

Aryan Nations writings also say that blacks are " pre-Adamic," meaning they are essentially descendants of cave men who were around before Adam and Eve. Meanwhile, the Aryan Nations says that descendants of white Europeans are members of the lost tribes of Israel and are the "chosen'' Hebrews mentioned in the Bible - not the Jews. Tltey even ea't only kosher foods approved by the law of Moses and avoid "unclean" items such as pork and web.footed birds.

Some or Butler's writings even call for action against other races.

His "Platform for the Aryan National State" says, "AU hybrids called Jews are to be repatriated from the republic's territory, all the.Ir Wealth .,e redistributed to re-

s . .. .::-...1· · ~uplc, an it haH b a capital offense to advocate or promote Jew Talmudic anti-Christ Com-

munism in any manner. " Masker said Aryan Nations-affiliated groups also promote an amendment to the U.S. Constitution proposed by California lawyer James 0.

Pace.

It would repeal the 14th and 15th amendments (which gave blacks the right to vote and ordered that au blacks, not three-fifths, be counted · when determining bow many congressmen each state should have). It would add words to strip U.S. citizenship from anyone whose ancestry is not at least seven-eighths European.

Buller also bas an interesting definition of "racist," which some may find revolting. He says, for example, that some politicians who call his group racist are racist themselves because they are married to white spouses. "You are racist if you stay with your own kind." · BuUer wants to "live with his own kind" and bas called for the establishment of a whites-only homeland in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idalu>, Montana and Wyoming and eventually all of America. Mccarthy said the church also dedicated Utah as a "gathering place of Israel.'' · Kootenai County Undersheriff Larry Broadbent, who bas handled investigations of the Aryan Nations for years, said, "When you see what they teach, how can they say they are anything but supremacist? There's no way they are just separatists."

ARYAN NATIONS PLANS FOR UTAH- Both McCarthy and Butler say they still plan within months to open a regional headquarters of the church in Utah.

But neighbors in Idaho say they think the Aryan Nations is so weak that it is unlikely it could do much expanding anytime soon - especially with Butler facing trial next month and possible jail time thereafter.

They say Ute church may simply be saying such things to seek publicity and sympathizers in Utah.

Evidence to support that may come from how Butler handled inquiries from the press about his plans for Utah. When the Deseret News called him about B'nai B'rith claims that the Aryan Nations might move into the state, Butler said he indeed would open a center in the Salt Lake area, the base of the Deseret News.

Soon after when The Standard-Examiner in Ogden called with similar questions, Butle.r said his group was coming to Ogden. Later, reporters based in Provo said he told them his group would have its regional center there.

When asked by the Deseret News why Butler said be would establish a

c nler wherever it wns that reporters wer camng fro m, he said. ··w plan to establish a cenler in lhe .1 I Lake-Ogden-Provo area somewhere.

We haven't decided exactly wh ere · . yet."

He said McCarthy will likely be asked to open the center. B cau.se McCarthy lives in the Salt Lake area, it would most likely be opened there - although no final decision has been made, he said . , Underslleriff Broadbent said the' Aryan Nations has constantly been losing members in northern Idaho, and may not be strong enough to expand. He said they only have about 10 followers who consistently attend· meetings in Hayden Lake, although 25 were at a meeting attended by the Deseret News. · He said the group used to attract at least 60 to 80 members regularly , and several hundred attended annual weeklong congresses of supremacist groups at Butler's compound.

The Rev. Wassmuth said many followers have dropped out or beep jailed for a variety of offenses. "But Hitler started out small, too." • ' Butler will not say how many members his church has and ' saip members try to keep their membership secret because of persecution that may result. For exampl , his church was bombed in 1981 . He blames that on the Jewish Defense League, but Coeur d'Alene officials say it was probably bombed by Aryan Nations splinter groups.

Even though many civil righls groups, the LDS Church and numerous polilicians have denounced racism in response to the Aryan Nations announced plans, Buthff still says his plans for Utah are firm .

"The opposition has just come frorr groups influenced by the Marxist-Zionist coalition, such as the Mormon Church, the governor of Utah and the mayor of Salt Lake City. I still think there are a lot of good whites there.·· ' Some Utah-based polygam ists have shown interest in some Aryan Nations teachings. That may come in part because one of Butler's cohorts - the Rev. Robert Miles of the Mountain Kirk in Cochoctaw, Mich.

- once said Aryans should consider using polygamy to outbreed other races.

Butler said he thinks Mil$ was joking. Regardless, be thinks several polygamists have attended his 'annual congress of Aryan Nation groups anyway.

The Rev. Wassmulh said if ~ ut ler is convicled and sent to jail, the Aryan Nations might just end ~ p in Utah. "They wouldn't have anjrlhing to hold them here, they aren 't attracting any more following 1n the area. And laws in Idaho are , much tougher on them. So they might just . look for somewhere else to g~"

Church's 'love' is built on a foundation of shared hatred a, Le• Davidson Deseret News staff writer

--

HAYDEN LAKE, Idaho - The Aryan Na tions Church congregation shows an unusua • mixture of love and hate.

They greet each other with' warm handshake:. and occasional hugs. As a young mother tak the coat off a toddler, her other baby is enter . tained by a kindly woman playing peekaboo.

Meanwhile, another woman spruces up the pulpit with flowers while chatting amicably with 'a woman warming up the organ. .

But the group's love is based on their mutu.Jl hatred - hatred of bow they claim Jews, blaclcs and Communists have ruined their America am\ are destroying their white race.

Thal bate is demonstrated on Ute church walllf · with a Nazi flag, a cloth sampler depicting HiUetl.,: ~ · (who Uley say is a holy man), a flier saying the' : group will achieve its goals by the sword if neces-. > sal)' and another poster showing robed Ku Kime •: Klansmen singing "We'r~ dreaming of a 'WhJte' :: ,, Christmas."

Outside the church is a high watchtower, built :· · after the church was bombed in 1981. A guar :station, left unmanned this day, has a sign warn• · : ing that'the compound is for "whites only."_A·: sign pointing out the parking area says "Wei- come Kinsmen." A German shepherd and two Dobennans wander the area.

After members finish greeting each other; . they sling racial slurs freely , constantly repeat' Ing "nigger, Jew, queers" as they criticize the government (which they call ZOG - Zionist ~c- : cupled Government), the media and non-white groups, which they call "mud races."

The small congregation sees itself as the last chance to pre.serve their race and America . : against overwhelming odds. That belief holds · them close.

Please see CHURCH oh 82.

2 B DE:

_

_

IICT r~t:v,s. SUNOA'i'. JANu,nv 17, 19M

k_ _ _ _ _lEl~:__.......::!i~"--1.::Y::..-:.!.:.i!le:..__~IB.j

.

rti010GAAPHY/ LEE DAVIDSON

Richard Butler, In church office, wants Aryans to overthrow th.:: ']overnment, which he says has been bought out by Jews.

CH r·:9 tinurd from B 1 ·Wch:n! f3u tl~r appears in the h:ill nd r ri lirn.es some : lori cs 111 that prnir. g·s newspaper as inspired uy .Te ws. In passing, h 'al or fcrs to the ,,ical Catholic pri f's wb > lrads oppo;Jion o h im ::is " \hill J •w ish pri ~I." 0 111:1 r;7 people arc in lh<' ch urch :. \>n tl1c ).'. rvic·t•s begin - 13utlcr. a •1si\ing rcpnr!~r. lO other adulls . our children a11d thn!e lcC'nagers . After th ree h ·mns, 13ull cr stands ! tile pu !pi land ann ounces tl1c topic f 1i~ scrmu:i . "The re is an elect ,·:,eel." I le be 1ins lap,ug !ht• scrmn11 , s<'II lo syrnpa !hiz1·rs around t lw 1tion . . lie f'll~ the . mall crowd how lhC' 1b e is m ea n! for only thr while

1ec. lie tells how some "mud races" :ive c,·cn wo rshiped wl1itc cxplor,., who fom,•t lhrm hc<'ausc the ii r:ice is "a sp ci:i l huly pc·oplt• above the rest of lhC' pc pl c 011 I

th."

l3u t he sa s :}n: J ' \\~ . 'omm u11ists 1tl mud r:irc:; an> jc•::ilous of tho~~ ,. si nJ!s .rnd :irr :,. >reading lic•s lu ·1 h• wh iles d prrl'ialc l hl'ir l1c·rii~~.

For <' lrnmpl<' . !lul!,.r later tc•lh a

r l'po rl e r Ih a! lh c J1•wish holor:i u1-I in World War II uc l'r happ •nt•,I ii was J11st a 111y!h spread lo d i!l111 ish tlw :H'hit•vc• mt·11!1, of 1l ilh'r i11 , 1'· uuild111g l;l·rmany and eking to . t rt•11gtl wn his ra('t' .

Butler's s1' rn1on clim axC'S with a r~dl for a r\'turu to con: titut innal prindplt•s. whic h he s:1id in l<'11d1 d t\ 1111 rit'a to bl' for white's 011 1 . Thr cm1p·t•ga!i,rn sl.111ds :mrl pr:1:vr. fo r Ihm. whilt• !lw 111\'n ~ iVl' Na1.i . :1lu t1'. with howcd h1•ads. l!u llc•r !ht 11 lalks :11,uu! llw !t1111i h tilllf'!-> I is followe rs arc fa rm.~ and hu w II 1• dc• v1l 1s lryi11g lo clc.,l roy them tl1rn111:h such things as h:l\'ing llim face st•chtion ch:1rgcis next month i11 A rka11sas for alleged ly conspiring ! 11 m ·,•rl hrow the govt•rn11w11\. li e says Christ , as also rhargt• d wrun)(fully ll'i lh st•dilio11 ''l'm ju~t g l:ld llw · don 't use cn11·ifixw11 nny 11u1re." lw sa_vs. Thr11 he 4uir.ld~· prt'· dirts 11tal lw will Ju• round 11ot g1 illy.

The c·1111gn·g:1t1011 st:iml wlul he p r;1y~ for ,·01 1lirnlC'u strc11~th fnr his fo lhm t·rs lo ~tancl up against lhr Zi oni st lhn •at.

Thi• rlwh•n t· Ihc·n cmb , fur r1 ff•w mi nute.,, as llw fll( 1•1 i11g wljou rns and 11w 111lwrs l':1 1 do 111(h n11 ts and drin ! rnf!'t·r :u1d talk again of l11cir lovP f11 r 1·al'!1 11thr r. rlul inr,·i alJlv they sow, :11\· t:tl king at:ai n abo ut 11i~ t«-rr11. 1,, 1h11rw. 11 ,,, ,, ,,. ,1 ,.,,.., . ' "" ,1 .. .

0

A~YA.N tJA:no~~

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Actively· fight.racism, Idahoans urg Learn fron1 our mistakes- don't let bigotry take root, pastor warns By

P..00

Uc1vl~son

Deseret N O\'/S str:lf wnt.;r

OF.U R D'/\LEN E. Idaho - 011 Mi)nday, Idaho will C'<'lchratc Martin Luther Ki n~ Pay. lro r: icall_v.

one reason il 1s a stale ll(l!ida,· is UCC.111,(' of !hr• prt•si.'nC"c:> of the racist Aryan Nations in tJ1e sta rc ·s upper p:rnlwnd)n.

'·M,1 rlin Luther King Day was one of t!1r hi ll~ the Lq::isl alurc passed lo St'ntl a message that ld,1h(I i~ not a l1omc for racists,' ' said Tony Slcwa;t. a political srier.1·c p,·1J fc>ssor :11 North Idaho C'oll rgl' and p1TsidPnt of thf' Northwc~t Coalit!Oll ;1g.1i11sl J\l al ir in11:; I lar.:ss· lllClll

c , wur d' t\!1·111· off1ci:1!:; IWVC' also r;il li ,•rl .~11pport agninst ral'.ism by lobbym!~ l'or laws to makr rad;il and rl' lig1ous ha r:1ssnwnt a felony, cn•aling 1wm1:11:1•:1t group~ to monit or a11d fight bigotry. l<':lC'hing abuu! fHTjuclic1· in schools and suppnrtini: kad(•rs who sp:-:ik out ng.iinsl hir,ot ry

Tiu· H,•\' Bill \\'assm11th. a C'11lholii' prll's!. ::.ays tl 1o s(' actions have ht·<' n so :,.u c-t('!-;sfttl that Co<'ur cl':\ lr nc " 11; lht' rity that met the J\ry:in Nations philosophy and dcfra!t·c.l il · 11<' s:i ul l llat is helping lhr nrra change its ima1:r from bring a ha\ "l 'n ror higots to bcini.t one nf th lhr 11;it11111 ·s lcadrrs in fi1~h ling raci1;n1. I! 1·11·n wan thi:- 11:10111 \\'allc:ib1•ri:: Ci 1w ,\ warn from N.-w York 'ily !;1st y1·ar fur i i,; efforts.

8111 Wassmuth

Marshall Mend ·--

Tony Stewart

The Hl'v. \V:is~muth. who II': tb the Kool •nn i County Task f,'orcc on 11 1111 1:111 1: •l.i linns, w:irns that Utah must lc:irn from some of C'ol'11r d'.,\h•nc·i- early mistakes and m111la h• iL<; l:il cr :; u cC' C!iSCs if it wants to pn:\'c·nl the Arvan Nations an d olhc r sup ·cmnrfst. from t::ik in n roo t.

I lt• said !hf' lJiggc:,. mistake lhat Idaho r~1mlc was to just h:J\'C supr •m.ir,.~t gro ups alone a t first. " \Vh«'n lhC' ,\ry.1 11 Nat ions first c~rnl' .. pro plc thought lhC'y were ~Hl7.y •lll d wou ld just go away if rg11nrcd lhc·m Bui supremac%~ ~roup.~ as mnc that silence mC'a · approv:1 1 of lhC'ir views " lie _dns •· sa1 .

'T'll :il ,i ll ow1•d c irru lat io f '·R11 11111 .. N ' no 1gnrr Ta rcrct" po t a t1 " N ' ., ~ crs n i lf.:J:!t•1· H unting Lkc nc.t's...

Also, some residents were harassed, such as Jewish farmer Sid Rosen and the racially mixed family of Connie Fort.

Still, Coeur d'Alene Mayor Ray Stone doesn't recall much formal opposition to the Aryan Nations untiJ some local reaJtors felt the area was gaining a reputation for racism that was scaring minorities away. " It hit them in the pocketbook because of lost commissions, so they organized."

Realtor Marshall Mend said '!The whole state was affected. A realtor from the southern part of the state was at a national convention. When he told another realtor he was from Idaho, the man said, . 'Oh, that's where those racists are,' and walked away. Idaho became known for racism more than anything - even potatoes."

The task force that formed was able to convince the Legislature to enact a malicious harassment law ln 1983, which made threats sucl1 as those against Fort's family a f J. ony. The Rev. Wassmuth said th task force then thought racism was declining, so it did little else for a year or so - which was another mistake.

He said the Aryan Nations was thought of a an irritating, even revolting, but essentially hannless

small group of eccentrics. But as Mayor Stone said, "There were probably more FBI men than Aryan Nations members in town" investigating violence by an Aryan , Nations splinter group called The Order. ln late 1984 and 1985, The Order's murders robberies and plots to overthrow the government were revealed in indictments . That shocked leaders into action.

The Rev. Wassmuth was selected as president of the task force, and he decided to fight racism with a positive approach. " Saying 'yes' to human rights is the pest way to say 'no' to prejudice." ' The group raised public awareness with rallies, posters, symposiums and even an educational television series. It coordinated a large observance of Martin Luther King's birthday, including special ins tructional programs in al l schools and a large rally at a city park.

To counter expected negative publicity about a weeklong congress of Aryan Nat:ons groups in J uJy 1986, th task fo rce organized its own rally against racism which attracted 1,000 people from the Northwest, plus national media attention. That led Stewart to propose formation of his multistate coalition.

The following September, the Rev. Wassmuth's home and sever;. al other buildings around town were bombed. To keep the town from reacting violently, Stewa rt said the Rev. Wassmuth 's task force held a rally. The task force and other groups have constantly spoken out against racism at evecy opportunity since.

The Rev. Wassmuth said ·• \. th.ink we have turned the fact 'that • we have the Aryan Nations into a/ positive thing. Exposure to its extreme and radical racism helps cl a rify prejudic e in t h.e community.·• Stewart adds, " You couldn't find any community in the Northwest more sensitized to prejudice than Coeur d'Alene. We still ha ve bigots, like any town. But we dis, courage racism here and won't pul up with harassment."

A sign of success, Stewart said , is that a Ku Klux Klan leader whQ recently moved to the Northw st from Chicago decided to live in Spo kane, Wash. - and not Idaho. ' Y'e think our laws discourag d bun fro m coming. We hope it will encourage others to leave.'

As Mend said , "Nobody here is buying what the Aryan Nations is selling anymore."

Spokane, Wash., Tues., Feb. 9, 1988. T H E ~

Group's attack on prejudice seen as example for others

By D.F. Oliveria

Staff writer

COEUR d' ALENE - The story of Kootenai Count(.s fight against prejudice likely will become a national bow-to role model, distributed _by the Anti-Defamation League.

The Kootenai County Task Force oa Buman Relations bu been asked ~ an ADL repreaentative to prodace a videotape detailing its aevbattle apinst racial and ODS Intolerance. offlcial8 from the Jewiab orDDization'a national office in New York like the tape, ~ to local baman rlabts leader Tony Stewart. they wUfdlltribate It u an edacatlonal tool to otber eommunities facbur almUar problm,a Taik force eneatlve board memben dilcwed the tape aacl tbetr future pla Monday wblle ~filmed crew.

- · .lfqe will be fea-

~

:t=-TV

tured on the "For Our Times" religious program, scheduled to air Feb.

28, according to producer Patricia Layne.

Executive committee members voted unanimously not to charge for their videotaped history.

"We have other ways of raising ~ . " ~d attorney Norm Gissel, Ob8erViDg that communities interested in aucb robably wouldn't have o groups and ,o&llbly couldn afford il Bob Bupea of Seattle, a Justice

=ta

Department mediator who attended the meeUna, said sucb a tape would benefit Tiim greatly. In the put. be aald. be bu gone into trouf,led- communities armed with DO

more tban a few newspaper cllpp::£e. delcrlblna bow to combat prej-

''lt would be an outstanding road map to UN for impacted communiUei tbat are going through the

same problems you people did a few years ago," Hughes told the committee. ~ · Layne said she was impressed by the organization, diversity and substance of the task force.

The movement, she said, ''is not something that grew up around a crisis and is going to disappear.

These people seem to be committed to what they're doing."

• Layne beaded a three-member news team that spent three days filming in the Inland Northwest A of the filming took place llClaY at Whitworth Presbyterian Church in Spokane, where Stewart and Gissel lectured.

The ~ crew also filmed segments for the two-part program in Brooklyn. N.Y., ancl OD the University of Michigan campus.

Stationed in New York City, Layne works for~· non-commer(See Role model cm pap 2)

C:'1

Rolemodel<eonttnuec1 from page 1) c1al Religious and Cultural Broadcast unil "For Our Times" delves into religious and moral issues. In 1979, it began airing as a successor to "Lamp Unto My Feet" and "Look Up and Live."

Layne bas produced programs on such issues as a review of 1987 from a religious persJM!Ctive, the church's involvement in South Africa, black catholics, Native American catholics and the merger of the Lutheran churches.

She learned of the task force through a New York Times article in January.

Other segments will feature the tension between blacks and Hassidic Jews over limited housing and other social resources in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, and prejudice against "Jewish-American princesses" or JAPs. Once applied llgbtly, Layne said, the term now is used to mock monied young Jewish women.

About 40 network affiliates, including Boise and PorUand, will carry the program. It won't be seen locally unless task force leaders can persuade the Spokane affiliate to pick it up.

Task force leaden were featured on NBC's "Sunday Today" in midJanuary.

Layne said she didn't bother to

Interview Aryan Nations leader

Rlchard Butler because cm bas stock footage and news and magazine articles available of bim. Besides, she said, he's not the focus.

In other business, the executive committee spent a brief time brainstorming its future mission. Priorities listed were: • An attempt to make relations between area whites and the Coeur d'Alene Indian Tribe in the late 19808 and '90s the best ever. . ''If this task force can't get along with the Coeur d'Alene tribe and can't bridge the communication gap and cultural differences," said Giasel, "then it will have failed in its mission."

• A continued emphasis on educating Coeur d'Alene children against the evils of prejudice.

• Seeking grants to sene as seed· money for creative arts contests.

Tbe sonp, palntinp and stories produced through such activities would be used ''to help chlldren undentand people of color better."

• Promoting Idaho's tough human.rights laws to other Northwest states.

• Making new minority residents feel welcome in Coeur d'Alene.

• Inviting the Coeur d'Alene tribe to present seminan explalning Its problems and apelllng out ways this community can be of assistance.

the coeur d 1alene

, NO. 173

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1988

Idaho leading fheway Tennessee Is taking anti-harassment law as model for Its bill

By JAY GRIFFITHS Leglslatlve reporter

BOISE - Despite rumors that Idaho is a white-supremacist haven, a Tennessee senator has used a Gem State maliciousharassment law to anchor Identical legislature in the Deep South.

A bill, which puaed the Tennessee Senate unanimously and is DOW before the House, mates barusment based on race, color, religion, ancestry or national orlcin a felony punishable by five years In prison and $5,000, said Tenneaee Sen. Steve Cohen.

"Wben you hit somebody' and damage somebody's property that's wrong, but when you do It because of their color, you are attacking a whole race " said Cohen D-Memphis ' " . Tuesda'y .

We are not trying to set up any racial or rellgioua superiority that's what America is founded on," Cohen added. "U it'• not just one person (who is attacked) it's a much more heinous crime than attacking an individual.''

Cohen said Tennessee ei:~riences sporadic Incidents of racially motivated activity. He said racial demonstrations held on Martin Luther King's birthday are not uncommon.

Cohen also pointed out that Pulaski, Tenn., is the birthplace of the Ku Klux Klan movement which began after the Civil War. ' Cohen saJd he 9peeted the law to be difficult to enforce because proving that an incident wu racially triggered is difficult.

0 As much as anything It's just to get th~ attention up, it may a llWe consc1ousness-raising," he said.

Cohen said the National Conference of Christian and Jen headquartered In Memphis, fint saw the Idaho law, approved of It and forwarded it to the senator. " Once I got the material I thought the malicous-barassment bill was a good law and I thought it was needed in the state of Tennessee," said conference director Harry Moore.

Moore said the conference is a nationwide group with offices in many large cities including Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles and Denver.

"We are a pretty mild organ.iza.tion," Moore said. "Our methodology is primarily education and promoting goodwill among the people ol the nation."

Moore said the Tennessee Buman Rights Commission also supports the legislation.

Those who have worked on human rights and mallcioua-barass-

ment laws In this state seemed proud that Idaho has been singled out by Tennessee.

"I'm delighted an area In tbe Deep South has used a model let out in Idaho,'' said Rep. Jeanne Givens, D-Coeur d'Alene. "I think Idaho can be proud they were tbe first to take this important flrat step in human rights."

Givens is spomoring a blll ln tbe

1 SECTION, 20 PAGES •

25CENTS

Idaho Senate that would direct law enforcement agencies at both the county and city levels to keep separate statistics on crimes spurred by race or national origin.

U the bill becomes law. Idaho will be the first state In the Northwest- the region the Church of Jesus Christ Christian (Aryan Nations) bas targeted u its Aryan homeland - to have such legislation, Givens said. .

Sen. Mary Lou Reed, D-Coeur d'Alene, said Idaho's image of being on the cutting edge of the

human rights movement is not really surprising. .

A spate of bills last year, Given'• bill this year and another that

would grant subpoena power to the

Human Rights CommluiCJD are helping to reshape the state's~ tattoo.

"It's kind of interesting that maybe we're being uaed for model human-rights legislation,'' Reed said. "We just uaed almoet every opportunity to send a signal that we're not going to be a haven for white supremacy."

16 THE COEURD'ALENE PRESS Fridcrv, februaY 26. 19se

Task force members agree to changes Wassmuth: We're still in transition

By DICK WOLFF Press staff writer

The Kootenai-County Task Force on Buman Relations agreed to major changes in its organization Thursday night at North Idaho College, including e:ipanding its board of directors, electing new officen and adding a finance committee to its structure.

The Rev. Bill Wassmuth, preaident of the task force, called for an executive board meeting Wednesday for the new officers.

Wassmuth will step down as president, but remain on the task force until he leaves Coeur d'Alene in June. ''We' re still in transition," Wassmuth said. "These changes spell out the terms of how we're going to accomplish our goals."

Wassmuth arrived late from Boise after members had unanimously approved the chaJJRes.

force

Tony Stewart, task menber and president of the Northwest

panic, Asian-American, Jewish,

Coalition against Malicious Harassment, said the new bylaws fostered "the dignity and worth of every human be.Ing... and ~ tected due process."

A slate of 19 officers wu elected, to include members from the Coeur d'Alene Indian Tribe; NIC chapter of the task force; Bia-

communities, local governments of Kootenai County and Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce.

The new board members are: Dominik Curley, Barb Crumb, Estella Gonzalez, Julie Meyer, Marshall Mend, Walt Washington, Dana Wetzel, Jim Belden, Bill Jennison; Larry Broadbent, Doug

black, religious and education

Raeial study to be released When The Rev. Bill Wassmuth breezed into the task force meeting Thursday night from bis late flight from Boile, be brought with him a hint ol fresh air over the reputation tbe Aryan Nations left in Northern Idaho.

The Idaho Commiasloa OD Buman Rights and the political science department of Boile State University have concluded a statewide survey of racial attitudes, Wassmuth said.

" And when it's released (next) Friday it will put to

death the impression that North Idaho is the racist part of the state," be said.

Wassmuth said the results of the survey would be released by Gov. Cecil Andrus during a meeting with the commiBaion and the board members of the Northwest Coalition on Human Rights.

The coalition will release the survey results to the public.

Cresswell, Norm Gissel, Tony Stewart, Ginny DeLong, Dave~ ters, Skip Kuck, Lisa Andenon, Al1en Wasserman , Hulda Bridgeman.

The financial committee will be responsible for new funds, and la required in order for the task fon:e to receive tu exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, Stewart said.

In other business, the task force agreed to focus on Martin Luther King Day as its annual community event in lieu of Community Response Day, and to oppoee a bill in the state legislature establilbing English as the legal language of Idaho.

Wassmuth spent most of tbe day in Boise testifying OD behalf of the Hate Crime Reporting Act and others, and told task force members the reporting bill would probably become law. " There doesn't seem to be any opposition there at all," be said.

A second bill the task force considers important for its human relations goals - a proposal giving the Commission on Buman Riabt subpoena power - seems less sure

of adoption, Waasmuth said.

"It came out of the HOWie committee with a compromlae;" be said, " it has a sunset clause which terminates the subpoena power automatically in two years unless lt ls re-enacted."

Although the proposal may pus the House, Wassmuth sees opposiâ&#x20AC;˘ tlon building against lt in the Senate.

"It's got some problems," be said. " Major corporations and business interests are objecting to subpoena powers for the commission OD the grounds that it puts an adversariaf edge on human rights efforts," ~e said. " We've a lot better chance pt. ting it through today:¡ be said.

The bill estabUshing Engllsb u Idaho's legal language came oat of committee with a "dc>-pass" recommendation, Waaamuth aald, " but I don't think it will mate it

through.''

Stewart said the proposal bu points both for and against it, " but our organi7.ation bas consistently fought racism and this bill ls ra, cist."

Programs won't be seen here North Idaho's activities in buman ripts achievements are making great national prea, but few individuals here will see il Regional television statlom and local cable will not air three major

Pl'OIJ'UDI involving local dtilml

and human ripts lauel. Satellite diab owners with ctecocUna dfflcel may be able see IOIDe.of tbe ~

,rams. 'lbe Rev. BW Waamath, held of the Kootenai County Tut Force cm Buman Relations and putor of St. Pius X Catholic cbmcb will be a

pest Wednelday OIi "Geraldo," a television pro,run boated bJ Geraldo Rivera.

Wusmuth's home wu damapd by a pipe bomb September 11, JJ11, a few months after bis poap ~

pni,ed a demollltration to comtter a national meetmc of whiteâ&#x20AC;˘ premaclata near Baydea Lite.

Guests in addition to Wummtb. according to Rivera's office, are Bobby Person and Pratt,

J=

two black priloa fNm North Carollna victim1led bJ racism and prejudice and Cathy Sarria of Detroft, Mich., wbD after a series of barauiDI calla at her home and office wu attacted and raped by a man who remaJna at large.

Geraldo may be viewed on KIVITV ln Nampa, KPVI-TV ln Pocatello, and on GaJuJ 1 aatelllte channel Gl/03, WGN-TV. WGN's airing ii at t a.m.

Sunday' ~ will air the ftnt al two "For Our Times" PfOll'IIDI featuring tut force memben Norm Gillell and Toay Stewart, filmed several weeu a,o at Whitworth Presbyterian cburch In Spobne. But Spokane's cm If. f1liate, KREM-'l'V, does not carry

the program.

Satellite di.ab owners may be able to catch it durinc cm feeda, but the schedule does not liat spe-

cific programs. The tut force la considering showing lts copies of the programs at a public meet1nc.

Panel QKs commission subpoenas Human rights bill to House for vote

See related

stories, p. 16

By JAY GRIFFITHS

Leglslatlve reporter

BOISE -

The state Human Rights Commission should have the authority to subpoena witnesses and documents to aid ita investigations, the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration voted Thursday.

But the committee hedged ita bet, saying the full House should amend the proposal to bring it up for review after two years to see that authority has not been abused.

"Why not give it a try and see how it goes," Rep. Janet Hay, R· Nampa, said.

The vote to pass the bill to the House for the amendment was unanimous. A previous vote that would have killed the bill in committee failed by five votes to nine.

1111 WASIMUIH If the bill becomes law, the commission could apply with tbe state Attorney General's office for a subpoena to bring in witneaes, testimony and documentl. Tbe At-

Subpoena power ia eaential in those cases where thole with information regarding diacrimination are uncooperative, llid the Rev. Bill Wassmuth, a Coeur d'Alene Catholic priest who beads the Kootenai County Tut Force on Human Relations.

"I know that subpoena authority is an intrusion, but it is an intrusion only when there is evidence that people's rights are being violated," Wassmuth said. '' As written, the law mlnlmf,:es the possibility of abusing author• ity," added Wassmuth, able> put president and board member with the Northwest Coalition ApJnat Malicious Harassment.

However, the Idaho AlllociaUoa of Commerce and Industry which represents some 2'10 bull· nesses in the state - oppoees the bill, spokesman Matt Eames llid.

torney General's office would eecure a subpoena from district court.

Bill sponsor Rep. Pete Black, I).

Pocatello, said only Hawaii and Idaho lack subpoena powers for their human rights commissions, which devote much of their time investigating employment discrimination claims due to race, ~,~!or, national origin and age. maruyn Shuler, director of tbe state Human Rights Commillioa, said the subpoena authority would be use1ul in persuading people to testify. Many people want to come forward, but cannot becaUle they fear they will loae their Jobe be"(Subpoena power) ~ been, C11 cause of it. Compelled by a IUbpoena, those people would have no 111w . . . baok page choice, she said.

von.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

occasion, used as a bara.88IDeDt tool," Aimes said. " .. .I don't know if it would be ever be used that way in this state.'

He added that the current avenues of investigation wort well and the subpoena power is unnecessary. Those with employment discrimination complaints funnel them through the commission, which investigates and, if warranted, tries to forge a 'no-fault' settlement out of court. If necesaary, the commission will take the 91olators to court.

Survey re-veaJs prejudice Official testifies Drugsfilled Nov. 4 by Mede<

By David Newman

Sti.U wrne,

BOISE Prejudice against Southeast Asians, Hispanics and other minorities remains strong in Idaho, according to a survey conducted last month for human-rights or~anlzations.

'I'm alarmed at the results, frankly," said Marilyn Shuler, director of the Idaho Human Rights Commission.

But Shuler and Tony Stewart, president of the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment, said the survey shows that most Idahoans have friendly feelings toward racial and religious minorities.

Boise State University's Survey Research Center conducted the survey during four days in February, Interviewing a random sample of 44.4 respondents throughout the state. Poll director Gregory Raymond said the results are accurate within 5 percent.

The results, released in a news

SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988

conlerence Friday, show that 26 pe.r cent of Idahoans harbor "verv unlavorable" or "unfavorablefâ&#x20AC;˘ feelings toward Southeast Asian refugees and 25 percent have such attitudes toward Hispanics, the state's largest minority group.

"I'm malting an i.n terpretation that unfavorable feelings are prejudice," said Shuler.

Such feelings were expressed by 14 percent of respondents against blacks, 10 percent against American Indians, 7 percent against J ews, 7 percent against JapaneseAmericans, and 2 percent against whites.

The respondents were 94 percent white.

Raymond said interview subjects were "quite willing to speak out.

People at both ends of the scale wanted their views known."

"I guess I have to think about bow rd feel if I were a Southeast Asian refugee," said Shuler. "It is alarming to us to pick up a number that is that high. However, I want

t-0 repeat that, on an average, we have favorable feelings. " Surveyers used the term "refugee" in their interviews because that is the most common description and perception of Southeast Asians In the United States, said Raymond. Southeast Asians account for 0.1 percent of the state's population, about 1,000 out of 1 million residents.

Interviewees were asked to gauge the "temperature" of their feelings toward the minority groups on a scale of zero to 100, with 50 degrees being neutral.

Raymond said the temperature method is a more accurate indicator of sentiment than yes-or-no questions.

The average response was 55 degrees for Southeast Asian refugees, 57 degrees for Hispanics, 62 degrees for blacks, 65 degrees for Jews, 67 degrees for American Indians, 68 degrees for JapaneseAmericans and 73 degrees for whites.

Complete results of the survey will be released in about four weeks, and will contain information about the feelings between Idaho's Mormon and non-Mormon residents.

The results will be broken down for six regions in the state. "The northern part of the state looked good" in preliminary results, Shuler said.

The survey might be repeated ln three to five years to measure the success of efforts aimed at solving the problems of prejudice, said Shuler.

Human-rights activist Rev. Bill Wassmuth of Coeur d'Alene said the survey offered "good news, bad news."

"Frankly, right now we're at the mercy of hype," said Wassmuth, referring to national publicity over while supremacist groups operating in the state.

Although the survey's results are not altogether positive, Wassmuth said, "One of the values of this is

TuE SPOKE.SMAN-REvlEW J,olcanr iâ&#x20AC;˘ronitti

the five-state organization for its that it gets people talking."

Other highlights of the survey in- work and said, "The welcome mat is not out for hate grou~ in Idaho. clude: . . Two-thirds of Idahoans be- Quite the contrary. Idahoans have lieve changes in the civil-rights spoken, over and over and over, laws during the past 20 years have with one voice. They have said, 'We hel~ minorities without hurting won't condone violence, we won't tolerate hate and we won't provide whites. .. 13 percent believe someone in a safe haven for those who do.' " their households has been discrimiAlso Friday, the coalition gave nated against because of race or re- its first Communication Award for ligion.

Outstanding Reporting in the Field . . 2 percent believe someone in of Human Rights to The Spokestheir households bad been harassed man-Review / Spokane Chronicle or hurt because of their race or re- and The Idaho Statesman newspaligion. pers . . . 70 percent of those reporting The Spokane newspapers were harassment or discrimination said the incidents bad not been reported honored for their three-part series on the Nez Perce, Coeur d'Alene to authorities. .. Better-educated respondents and Kootenai Indian tribes. Reportreported fewer unfavorable feel- ers Cynthia Taggart, D.F. Oliveria and Theresa Goffredo wrote the seings toward minorities.

Friday's news conference was ries.

The Boise paper was honored for called as the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment held its stories on Ada County's black community, written by Charles Etla board meeting at a Boise hotel.

Gov. Cecil Andrus congratulated inger.

PAGEA6

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The Idaho Statesman

based on those feelings."

The good news: The survey re-

While an alarming number of Idahoans harbor negatJve feelings toward certain minorities, Idaho has gotten a bum rap as sympathizing with white supremacists, human rights officials said Friday.

The bad news : A new Boise State University survey indicated one Idahoan in four bas negative feeJings towa rd Hispanics a nd Southeast Asian refugees.

MariJyn Shuler, director or Idaho Ruman Rights Commis-. sion, said she was alarmed at that. Actions often take place

ported that Idahoans generally have favorable attitudes toward the Asian refugees, Hispanics, blacks, American Indians, Japanese-Americans and Jews.

Those groups are targeted by white supremacists such as the Aryan Nations, which has headquarters in Hayden Lake. ''Idaho has gotten a bum rap," said Tony Stewart, president of the Northwest Coalition against Malicious Harassment Inc. " For the first time we can point to accurate data showing that Idahoans have generally friendly

By CHARLES ETLINGER

Gregory Raymond

.

11

feelings towards minorities and Jews."

Gregory Raymond, director of BSU's Survey Research Center, said the survey had a 5 percent margin of error.

It was released at a meeting at the Owyhee Plaza Hotel of the coalition, a human rights group with representatives from Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Wyoming.

In about four weeks, the coalition expects to issue a final report that also will probe feelings bet ween Mormons and non-Mor· mons.

See PREJUDICE, Page 4A

PreJ~dlce ~

·

ConUnued trom Page 1A

Idahoans polled on prejudice How do Idahoans feel about ethnic minorities?

Boise State's Survey Research Center interviewed a random sample of 444 Idahoans by phone in midFebruary. Some 94 percent of this cross--eection of the state's

50 degrees were "cool," or unfavorable; above 50 degrees, ..warm," or favorable.

The results:

people are white.

The respondents were asked to gauge the "temperatwe" of their feelings toward cl88889 of Idahoans on an Imaginary thermOmeter. Reepon888 below

e..r Y.'l

ri,

"Tbe welcome mat Is not out for hate groups In Idaho," Gov. CecU Andrus told the coalition Friday~ "We do not tolerate thelr n ~ or their crackpot th~ rles. . ..

Andrus said It was time w~ ralR a generation of young ~ pie who will leave behind that dark specter of prejudice and hatred." . . .Tbe survey gauged the feelings of a representatlv~. sa~ple of ~ Idahoans on a _temperature scale. Ratings above 50 d e ~ were warm or favorable. .

The averages ranged from 55 degrees for Southeast Ast~ refl:Igees and 'S1 degrees for Hlspartlcs to 73 percent for whites. · "I wish the scores were even closer to 100 degrees," said Stewart, a professor at . North ldaho College In Coeur d'Alene.

Camilo Lopez, a Caldwell attor• ney. was not surprised by the tesuits. He said Hispanics, Idaho's la,gest minority group comprtsIng an estimated 3.8 to 5.3 percent of the population, feel the brunt of prejudice.

"Miiny times they endure the dlscrlmatlon because that's the least wony they· have," Lopez said, citing survival · as their prime wony.

The survey also found: • Thirteen percent of the respondents said they tielleved that someone In thelr household had been discriminated against on the Job due to race or religion.

Shuler said that was very blgh compared with the level of complalnts to the Human Rights Commission. It suggests that such incldents are under-reported to authorltles, she said.

• Two percent of respondents said someone In their household had been harassed, physically InJured or had been the target of

property 4estructlon due to· race or religion.

• Only 'S1 percent · ot the te~ents said they knew where to report such incidents. . . • Idahoans of varying ages dlffer little in feeUrigs toward mlhorltles and Jews, ·in contradlctlon to the common · view that older p(!ople are more prejudiced.

• Nearly tw~thlrds of . Idahoans believe that antl-dlscrlmlnation laws .enacted In the·past 20 years , have helped minorities, while ~t affecting whites. · · • Idahoans are evenly divided about \Vhether prejudice toward mlnorltJes exists 1n the . areas where they llve. .

- · education ~m-.

1 • In i general, proved attitudes toward minority an,ups and Jews. ··· -, ·: · .. ~. -·· · · ·.

Nm-high school ·graduates put Asian refugees at an average 36 degrees and HlspanJcs at 41, whUe college graduates a,ut. the two · groups at 82 and 8.1, respectively.

Differences were smaller for · other if'OUl>S, and negligible for ·feelings towanl whites and Amer• lean Indians. :· , · · · · .·., : Since only about ·1,000 Sodtheast ~an refugees live~ Idaho, the. prejudice against them may not reflect Interaction with whites, Raymond said He ·said the word '.'refugee'~ may_klndle . negative feellrigs. · · . Shuler, who ha4 the Idea for the *1rvey, su.mmed up the solut~on to the problems wrought by preJudice with one word - edu~tlon. ; lbat. Includes "people looking lhto their hearts and saying, 'Hey, what am I like'?' " she said She called for spreading .knowledge of laws against harassment and banning dbcrlmlnatlon In empl~ent, housing and echJ?ltlon, u well as education on the ." Joys of diversity." ' . ~ , Stewart said the coalJtlon ls discusstpg ways to develop · a program for schools. . .

•

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SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988

the coeur ,d 1alene

1 SECTION, 14 PAGES

Racism study alarms Negative feelings found for Hispanics, refugees

STUDY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The study also indicated that education appeared to erode racial intolerance. Of those without high school diplomas, the average " temperature" toward the most unpopular of the survey group, Asjan refugees, was 36 degrees.

High school graduates, however, warmed up to the Asians to the mark of 53 degrees while college graduates liked them even more warming to 6S degrees.

Only in feelings toward Amerl· can Indians and whites did educa· tion appear to be a very small or no factor at all. All three categories of education liked whites to the temperature of 75 degrees.

And only two degrees separated the three educational classes when examining feelings toward Indi-

ans.

" I think the solution can be summed up in one word: education, and people looking into their hearts aak.ing 'what am I lite?'"

Shuler told reporten at a 45minute press conference at which the results were unveiled.

Little difference was seen in respect to age and a gender break· down was unavailable.

Also unavailable was the number of people who were asked to respond, but declined.

According to the survey, 9t percent of those responding were white.

Also, 2 percent of those responding said they felt they or members of their family bad been the target of racial or religious intolerance in the past two years. Of thole, 70 percent said those incidents bad not been reported to authorities.

25 CENTS

By JAY GRIFFITHS Leglslatlve reporter

BOISE -Despite encouraging words by Gov. Cecil Andrus Friday, a survey on racial intolerance in Idaho bas yielded some "alarming" information.

"I'm alarmed at the results, frankly," said Marilyn Shuler, director of the Idaho Human Rights Commission. "I think it's good news and bad news. " The commission and the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment released preliminary results Friday on a survey taken to gauge racial and religious feelings among Idahoans.

The survey, which was released in preliminary form and dealt mostly with racial sentiment, showed no broad-based racial preju~ but did indicate some troubling trends, Shuler · .

For instance: • Twenty-five percent of those responding said they had " unfavorable feelings" toward Hispanics and 26 percent said they harbored the same feelings toward southeut Asian refugees.

• Eleven percent of those responding said they bad " very unfavorable feelings" toward Hispanics and 14 answered likewise toward the Asian refugees.

Shuler said "very unfavorable feelings" translated into prejudice.

"It's alarming for us to pick up a number that high -that's OZMH1uarter,•• Shuler said. " However, I want out (that) on average, there are favorable i ."

The f44 respondents questioned by telephone over a

~ft;,~

four-day period in February were asked to gauge their feelings for others based on an imaginary thermometer.

Ylfty degrees represents DO feeling either way.

Below 50 indicates cool or unfavorable feelings and above 50 warmth.

Asian refugees averaged 55 degrees; Hispanics, 57; blacks, 62; Jews, 65 ; American Indians, 67; Japanese-Americans, 68; and whites, 73.

In addressing some 145 people at a Northwest Coalition Against Harassment luncheon in Boise, Gov. Andrus said the survey shows there is DO widespread bate of blacks and Jews in North Idaho. ~ what some of the national press bas reported, o is not a haven for white supremacists, racists or violators of human and civil rights," An· drus told the group, gathered for a five-state meeting of the coalition.

Coeur d'Alene Catholic priest Bill Wa.ssmuth said the results of the survey were not surprising.

"Desf

"I think alarming is a little strong," said Wassmuth, the first president of the coalition. "It manifests that there is a lot of work to be done. " Wassmuth also said that responses were broken down geographically and that North Idaho was "a little better than the rest of the state. That portion of the survey, conducted by Boise State University's Survey Research Center, was not released.

Center director Gregory Raymond said the rest of the survey data, including feelings between Idaho's Mormon and non·Mormon communities, will be released in about four weeks. " I think the really exciting thing is that it gets people talking about it," Wassmuth said.

P1eaM . . . STUDY, back page

A6

Gissel will lead county task force

By D.F. Oliveria Sialf writer

COEUR d'ALENE - The Rev. Bill Wassmutb once joked that he was asked to be leader of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations because he was single and lived in a brick house.

That was before a pipe bomb exploded at the rear entrance to his home on Sept. 15, 1986.

Coeur d'Alene attorney Norm Gissel isn't single and doesn't live in a brick house. But he, too, counted the cost before accepting his unanimous endorsement Wedn.esday br. the task force board as Wassmuth s successor.

"I thou'-bt about the potential (for violence), ' Gissel, 47, said after the GISSEL 90-minute meeting at Wassmuth's St. Pius X Catholic Church. "The history of civil rights In America bas been a history of violence.

"I understand that. My famil>' understands that. Civil rights activities are foundational to Ame.r ican society. Matters have to be dealt with. A price has to be paid."

Gissel, though, said he doesn't expect any incidents like the bombing that propelled Wassmuth into regional and national prominence.

In mid-January, Wassmuth announced his intention to leave his post as pastor of the church for undisclosed reasons. Since then, be has guided an overhaul of the task force's bylaws to provide the loosely knit organization with a well-defined structure and orderly method for choosing his successor .

Wusmuth chaired his last task force meeting as ~ident Wednesday.

"You've been without a doubt the moat cbaHenglng group - in terms of energy, drive and self-initiative - and the moat rewarding group I've ever been a part of," be told the 16 memben of the new 1t-pel'90D board who attended the meeting. "The hearts of tbil (See Tak force• pqe 6)

THE SPolcEsMAN-REvE Thurs., March 3, 1988, Spokane, Wash.

Task force group are in the right place. You. will be with me a long time, folks."

Three hands shot up immediately when Wassmuth asked for nominations for president. All th.r ee wanted Gissel, and North Idaho College instructor Tonr Stewart successfully made a motion to have the nomination approved unanimously.

In like fashion, nominations for the three other elected positions on the five-member executive committee were approved unanimously: Stewart as vice president; Dave Peters, secretary; and Skip Kuck,

treasurer.

Wassmutb automatically is part of the executive committee in his role as past president.

The terms are for one year.

Rather than passing a gavel to Giaael to symbolize the leadership transition, Wassm.u th banded him a replica of a menorah, a candelabrum used during the Jewish festival of Hanuka.

I /,

(Continued from page 1)-

"As leader of the task force," joked Wassmuth, "r,ou're basically an undercover Jew.• Wassmuth, a German Catholic, may have been alluding to the claim made about him by Aryan Nations leader Richard Butler that he's an undercover Jew. Later, Wassmuth said he~ad considered giving his friend a fragment of the trash can shattered by the September 1986 bombing of his home, but thought it too crude.

The light-heartedness between the two civil rights leaders and the rest of the directors underscored the ,roup's unity.

GlSSel said he expects that solidarity to remain after Wassmuth leaves the area this June.

"This group has operated for a long time on a conseotual basis," Gissel said. " The decision-making process bas been going on for a long Ume with many in the group who comprise the current board.

This is an organization of ideas."

For that reason, he said, he doesn't foresee a change in direction for the task force.

At a February meeting, task force leaders listed future goals as a continuing emphasis on educating the region's youth against prejudice, attention to the needs of Native Americans, additional human rights legislation in Idaho and the Northwest, welcoming minorities who move here, and serving as a resource to other communities dealin' with racial or religious prejudice.

Gissel has been one of the quiet forces behind the task force, traveling throughout the region to speak to a wide range of froups.

Those organizations range from an informal group of Montana residents concerned about young neoNazis called "skinheads" on the Universitr of Montana campus to a prisoners organization within the

Washington State Penitentiary at Walla Walla.

Gissel didn't immerse himseU in the local fight for human rights until Wassmuth reactivated tlie task force three years ago. Previously, be did some work with then-City Attorney Dana Wetzel drafting the state's malicious harassment bill. which became law in 1983.

He long bas been active in the Idaho Association of Retarded Citizens - which be calls the most powerless of minorities - and was instrumental in the 1960s in openthe Delta Tau Delta fraternity oa the Univenity of Idaho campus to Alian-Americaal.

ID January be stepped down from bis role u cbairmaD of the Coeur cl'Alene Library board after aeven

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yean. ID that tfme, be restored coaftdence in tbe Wnry, wbicb bad

been beNt l>r restpaflom and sul>Nqlllnt COIIU'OVIHJ, and WU iDltNinentaJ bl moviq it to tbe qaarten oa llarriaoa Avenue.

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lMoyers' 1V special looks at coping with evil I

By DICK WOLFF North Idaho News Network

COEUR d' ALENE - Public television will air a Bill Moyers apecial on satellite, cable and Spokane stations Monday that Tony stewart, president of the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment, says illustrates the positive attitudes developed in North Idaho in response to community confrontations with white supremac ists. " The program recognizes the many wa~ for good to triumph over evil, • Stewart said.

Stewart said the program offen an in-depth look at the struggles that take place within humans between the forces of evil and good. " ln terms of its respect for buman relations , it's the crux of w~t wo're dealing with," be said.

The special report was recorded during a three-day symposium titled " Understanding Evil,' ' which was held last fall at the Institute for the Humanities in Salado, Tex. Among those featured in the broadcast are poet Maya Angelou; holocaust scholar Raul Wiberg; dancer choreographer and author Chung-Liang Al Huang ; former U.S. Rep . Barbara Jordan ; philosopher Philip Paul Hallie; and educator and minister, Dr. Samuel D. Proctor"-pastor of New York's Abyssinian tsaptist Church.

In a statement accompanying the tape, Moyers says the taping produced " an unusual series of persona l tes timonies on the persistenl question of the ~tion$hip between good and evil. " I thought at first this would be

an explorat1on essentially on the dark side of human nature, but I was wrong," be said. " The people ... wind up telling their own stories of coping with evil by affirming the spiritof goodness - sharing bow to turn the worst that happens into the best that is possible." .

Stewart said the testimonies il· lustrate how, through theology, philosophy and politics, human beings deal with each other and themselves. " It made a good point that an individual can go either way," be said, " and offers good advice on

bow to defeat evil in yourself.

Stewart said the program "sup. ports the path taken in human relations here - there are positive ways to combat evil."

F . . . _acmg Evil is the r~ of a ser~es of <_>eeasional specials on ~aJor subJects w,1~er _the theme . A Wor~ of Ideas which Moyers 1.s creating under a grant f ~ the John D . and C~t herine T, MacArthur Foundation of Chicago.

Check television listings to find time and staijon of the special.

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The Boatd of Directors of the

NORTHWEST COALITION AGAINST MALICIOUS HARASSMENT Invites You to• No-Host LuncMOn

Owyhee Plaza

BolH, Idaho March 4, 1988

Noon - 1:30 p.m.

S,,.axer: The Honorable Cecil 0 . Andrus Governor of Idaho

Release of Survey Results: NRaclsm and Religious Intolerance In Idaho" Recognition of Outstanding Human Rights Reporting No,Host Luncheon

$7.25 Per Person

RSVP: (208) 334· 2873

By March 1, 1988

Coalition aims for new panel

the coeur d'alene

Lawmakers would make up board

By DICK WOLFF Press staff writer

T he Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Haraament bas invited 7.8 members of Congress representing Idabo, Mcntana, Oregon, WubingtoD and Wyoming to form an advilory committee to help the coalition promote positive human relatioDI. Tony Stewart, coalition president, said the board eent the letter ln late February and bu already

received a positive respcme tram

some of the members, IIDIIIII them Idaho's Rep. Larry Crall, The Congreaalonal Advilor, Board would be ued ••u aDOlber

unportant aovce for aa to olltalD

advice on important matten," tlae letter said. 'lbe ad hoc panel woa1d COllllltof the two aenaton from eadl of tlae five states ~nated cm t1ae coalition, plu repr. . of each state - two eiaell tram Idaho and MonlaM GDe tram ~ ming, five from ad elpt from Wublnltoll, All of the atata acept Onpl have appointed Nll'lllD'latnll ID the coalltioD'I board of clindDn, Membenof ~llldlda advisors include Rip. Ta Net (D-Wasb.), Bollle majorltJ Jal. er ; Sen. Allen K. Sb,.--. .....

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Richard stamnp, ....,... a1 die Democratic Leidenldp ODIDCl1 Other commltteea 11:8" by those invited inclllll .._ committees OD educatla, Jldlla

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NO. 190

TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1988

Stewart said improved communications with Con,rea woald advance work the coalltkJD bu conducted. ''We have the fint ciYlkllbtl corporation bolnf Jn America wb1cb paranteel... . dlvene racial etbnic miDorltJ npr-. aentaUon," Stewart told die C.-

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grealonal deleptlona.

"We qree with (clvll rilldl activist) the Rev. (llalea) 1fllUaml that it will llel'cme tlae made1 far other rep1111 of the tu1111trJ," 1111

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2 SECTIONS, 24 PAGES

25 CENTS

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represented a warm or fa;orable feeling.

When repondcnts were broken. down based 'Ed1JcatiOD-!bat~ the key to JFUdng the the aqiount of formal educauon they ~d prejudice tbal ~ ~ewide study shows .exists' received, it showed that the more cducauon in Idah?t l)nSidcpt.2,f'. thc~N~nh they had, the warmer their feelings towards west ~ ! Against·. Maliciou.s Harass-. men~ ~ ~ g ~ press conf~ce Mpcb.4., were ~leued m .~n- • • 1un~on.~ 1!J,l~, th~ North~dt , Coali~!l A~~ -~<:10UI Harassment_. Board, of D~~ mectmg Jt the Owrheel>Iaza. The , coaliu.onJ,D?udes represeotat1ves from Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana and WYoming. Formation. of the._ coalition wu hcadcd twO ya.rs by the Kootenai County Task Force for Human Relations under the leadership of.Pathcr Bill Wassmuth, St.. Pius

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mir~oritr. groups. For example _when asked their respective ratings w~e 55. degr~cs, 60 their ~eelings about Southeast Astan refugees, dc~rccs and 66 degrees. With H1sp:1mcs, the ·non-htgb .school graduates rated them 36 raungs for people of those cducauon k .vcls degrees, ~gh school graduates, 53 degrees and were 41 degrel;S, 56 degrees and 63 degrees. college graduates, 62 degrees. With Blacks So~e . 94 _pcr~cnt of the samplin~ of pcorlc part1c1pau.ng m the survey arc white.

Tony Stewart, Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment president, said the coalition is discussing ways 10 make curricLI available to public school and religious organizations that will teach the joys of div,·rsity and human dignity.

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Marilyn Shuler, Human Rights Commi~sioo executive director, said in spite of t he fact that the survey docs show Idahoans have generally positive feelings towards minoriti<!s, it also shows "we have a ways to go" 10 alleviate pr~judice in the state.

Speaking at a coalition luncheon prior to 1hc press confe.rcnce, Gov. Cecil Andrus pra ised the Nonhwcst Coalition Against Malicious Harassment and the Idaho Human Rights Commission as "respected, efTcctive, authoritative, voices for human rights."

The governor said the survey on racism Jnd

I.

Boise.. Srate1 .Univcrsity's S ~_£_Reaearcb· 1 ~ ntc;r, ~~t Idahoans ~ y·havc . .. fricadlf., f ~ toward ~ mmonucs and · ,, Jews~~ most a ~ ~; by~ w~te.. su~~.Jike the Aryan ,~!nons. ~~· 1: • <-(, quanete4JD Hayden LaJte. , ''l"'~ ::i~~,,.r,,, j! . '".?.

On otba'~d, the study.also _showed

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~t one . m four_• t~oans have !J,Cgau.ve: f~- ·. . .. ·/'{:?.:..:.· mgs toward ~1)1lIUCS and Sc;>uthcas~. ~·~ · ,:.f't~" .., ~fugea. · · ·'. ·~... . .i...

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• -~, ;.i?1 , ,, 1• --»~·d, Ph.D.. · surYef s,. ,:center _GrcgoTf..~.1~.:_:_ . .~,,! ...,.~ .,....~\.1 7 director!.. '!l . d ~e, lJUJ~J,t ~ J B l e.-~, .,.·.. :\.~~r~-it was telcpb~~ ~Q(,a, ..,t;.-:1~~' · ~-le;f'1( .· ·M 0.. ·r~.:1') .· _• ,1,,: · percent · . ~ r . The11un·~ ~ ... .. ~-'1o . • sored by'tbe-idalM Hmiian Rigb'ts Gomm.is:'.!-r~ _) aion ~ ~ ' 1 ! '-~ 9-litiof . . ·:--"..:r:·. ·

done:~

M6lous·

0

~cligious intol~an~ in. Idaho shows tha1 "hate

ts not support~ by the people of Idaho" con·

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•

~

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The aponson plan to release.• flna1 ~port on the aunq il1 .about a month. ~Tbat.ieport will include information on feelings. between

Idaho's Mormon ..and non-Mormon ::com- '· muruucs! ~ .. , ri,• "1 • Survey respondents were as.k.ed to gauge the PERSONAL CONCERNS-Richard temperature of their feelings toward ~orlty, Mullen Plummer a member of Sacred groupa and Jews on an imaJinarY ther- Hean 'Mission, DeSmet, and Idaho mo.m eter. A score below 50 degr~s Puffe, St. Anthony Parish, P ocatello, repl'elCDkd • eool or unfavorable fcding U.ten at the press conference u survey toward I poop. A score above 50 degrees re,uJ~ re renort~d on ''Rachm and

trary to what some of the national press bs • reported. " •.r:l ,,·' • 1 "Idaho is !10t apavcn for racists," he said. "It is true that som~ hate groups have sc11 lcd in ,,,this s~te, b~t ca .·~~... assure th~t they. represent no one but tftcmsc)ves. Most Idahoans arc downright embarrassed that they arc here." ...,G o v e ~-1.pointcd-Jo resuhs of th •survey that sbo~ that nearly two-thirds o Idahoans feel that changes in the laws ove r the last 20 years .regarding employment, housing and education have made things better for minorities.

"We arc making -tremendous progress," he said. .

"It is time in America that we raise a gencration that will leave behind this spectrum of da:kncss an~ hatred an~ ~ove eh~ad _co the bright promise of true d1gruty and iusuce for all citizens of this counrry."

Rellgiou1 Intolerance 1n Idaho." Both were atte'b.dlng the Northwest Coalltlon against Malicious Harassment Board of Dirccto~ meeting March 4 In Boise. (IR photo by Colette Cowman)

the coeur d,alene

VOL80, NO. 48_

_ __ _ _ _ _ _

Top of the day Rehnquist is chief justice WASHlriGTON IAPI - A

new Supreme Court era

began today as W1lham II Rehnquist became tbe nauon s 16th ch1er 1us11cc and Antonin Sea ha joined the high i:ourl as ns 103rd member Swearing 10 "do equal right lo lhe poor and lhe

nrh ·bolh men took their Judlc1.il oaths 1n the Supreme 1

Court's state!> CQ.urtroom._ Rehnquist's predecessor, Warren E: Burger adm1ms1ered the oath to Hchnqu1st as Sea ha sat ne,,rb~ on a chair used by , l11~r .lum~e John ~latshall m tht· earl\ 19th cenlur.· R•·hnquisl. as the ne" eh1d JUSllce. then

adnunistercd till' onth 10

,,.• Ii ..

1 Republicans -tmck Andrus

I

0~ Associo ted P·ess

Tw,, f·>rmPr Republican r,ind1d.u,•s·for .s~tr off 11·e

FRIDAY, SEPT. 26, 1986

25 CENTS

,Ae Coeur d'/1-/ede f

l'trt f

f 2/ e. >['f t:e 0-(/,( r

Hundreds rally for tolerance

By TRUDY WELSH Pr... etaff writer

\

More than 600 people used music, dance and speeches Thursday to reaffirm support for racial equality and to non-violently vent their frustrations.

The Gathering for Solidarity was J1lanned after p. bomb went off Sept. 111 at the home of the Rev. Bill Wassmutb, the Catholic priest.who heads the Kootenai County Human Relatloos Task Force.

Police have not arrested anyone for planting the pipe bomb, but Wassmuth and many area citizens s_~ulate be was targeted because of his equal ~t,

stance.

.

•

'To· Ignore bigotry la to be a bigot yourself," Gov. John Evans said at the rally.

"As long as I am governor, I will not let a cowardly few to use hatred and fear to accomplish their goals," he said, drawing loud applause.

But at least a few did not participate in the clapping or the .stand.Ing ovations given to Evans and-Wassmuth, as welf as Darlene Peters, who performed a Native American 'dance. The event P>.u ono:os o.·~ • , ,,c.

his~,~·~;~~~~~;

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Father Bffl Wcssmuth had plenty on hu·~~n·'~ h ~ = ~ : : Richard Butler (Inset), of the Church of Jesus Ctvlst Christian Aryan Nqttons, also attended

~

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'Related~. page 6 was also attended by the Rev. Richard Butler, pastor of the Aryan Nations church, and at least two of his followers. The Aryan doctrine is centered around the idea of white supremacy.

Law enforcement security was heavy, but no incidents were reported.

Wassmuth Jokingly accused the crowd and master of ceremonies Ray Givens - who said the priest ' 'embodies the true meaning of the Christian spirit" - of purposely choking him up so he would aborten hit remarks.

The St. Pius priest was uninjured in the bomb blast, bat said the incident made him ~Uze ''what it means to be wlnerable.''

Wassmuth said tbe turnout, which included people from Portland, Spokane and all parts of Kootenai County, shows people are turning the violence Into a positive statement. .

"God is working good out of evil and life out of destruction," he said.

"Saying 'yes' to the dignity of each person is still the best way to say 'no' to racists."

Kootenai County Prosecutor Glen Walker amt EvaJ!S promised that everything will be done to bring the bomber or other criminals to justice. But the Rev. Richard Hermstad reminded the crowd that justice must also be tempered with mercy.

"To often it seems (our society) is more dedicated to revenge than Justice," he said. "From Karate Kid to Rambo, we are encouraged to see violence as the normal solution to problems.' '

IN RALLY, Page 2

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RALLY r,2.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

~~ the same look of pain in the . eyes of people here .who!wort.for human rights as sh'e lhu telt herself and seen in the eyes of oth-

" Bu~er gald alter the gatbertng, er minorities.

Only the clicking of a. camera I ~o!W\t lt was beautlful, except for the 1iypocrisy." · and an occasional cough broke the He asked why was there no simi- crowded room's prayer-like , Si· lar pµblic out.cry when the Aryan lence when she perfonned the SenNations church was· bombed eca Tribe's Dance to Gather members were shot in other areas' Strength from the Four Wt,ods. his dogs mutllated·and his car vn"~ Guitarist Nils Rosdahl, ~o with dallzed. ..... his wile Mary adopted a mentany Butler claims no connection retarded Filipino boy, urged the with the bombing. community to educate their chilHe said 'l'l Aryan Nations mem- dren on the acceptance of minorbers were in the audience and said ities. the large comrminity ~espouse would not change his efforts to 1,i,1,.--- spread h1a beliefs.

Nor, said Wassmuth, will the vi· olence change the direction of the 1 human relations task force. Plans already are under way for Martin Luther King Day, a multi-cultural celebration for next summer and a five-state human rights com-

mission.

Peters said it saddens her to now

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ll,f COEUl O A.D,.E p,~i;SS

s ff-f fnt ter

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Efforts correct, s ays ADL leader

I r ~h:

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By SUSAN TOFT Presa staff writer

"Ignoring them is not going t.o malte them go away." Stem said " These people are clearly outside The Coeur d'Alene community Is of the mainstream or good people talung the right co11rse in Its ef- or Coeur d'Alene." forts to combat while supremThe while supremacists must be aclsm and the often violent ac- told " they are not wanted here and tivltJes its supporters engage in, a they are not representative of the Je,"1sh leader said Thursdar, people here," he said.

Ma rvin Stern, regional dtrector Responding with violence, howof the Anti-Defamation League of ever, onl y acts further to c reate B'nal B'rith, said the Kootenai "an a tomosphere of tension, an a~ County Task Force on Human Re- mosphere for violence," he said. lations is seen nationally as a The leader of a militant Jewish " model of grassroots organiza- orga nization who has engaged In tion." violence-laden rhetoric and made Ster n visited Coeur d'Alene several implied threats againts Thursday and me t with, among whlte supremacists In the wake of

others, the Rev. Bill Wassmuth, whose home was bombed last week in an as-yet unsolved incident.

Wassmuth, head of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, is a leading activist in the battle against white supremacy and racism.

Stern said Thursday night' s ¡¡Ga thering for Solida rity" in honorof Wassmuth contained the right message to send to white suprem-

acists

the bombing, speaks for only a few across the country, Stem said.

" Irresponsible statements raise

the level (of violence) and create a challenge, " he said. "This is something that doesn't call for vlgUante action. It's a law enforcement matter."

A 1984 study by the Anti-Defamation League indicates a " significant" decrease in the numbers of members and non-member supporters of Ku Klux Klan and ne<r

Nazi organizations, Stem said.

As a result of that decrease, however, the " most virulent and violence-prone" fact.ions remain in the groups, growing increasingly despe.r ate and tending toward terrorist activities.

Wbat follows Is militant groups such as the Order - former Aryan Nations members who were accused of carrying ou\. bank and armored-car robberies, murder and bombings In late 1983 and 198'\. 'l'en Order members were convicted last year of racketeering and 12. others pleaded guilty .