vision2020
Text from groups opposing Aryan Nations
- To: vision2020@moscow.com
- Subject: Text from groups opposing Aryan Nations
- From: Robert Hoffmann <escape@alt-escape.com>
- Date: Wed, 07 Jul 1999 16:52:24 -0700
- Resent-Date: Wed, 7 Jul 1999 16:52:46 -0700 (PDT)
- Resent-From: vision2020@moscow.com
- Resent-Message-ID: <"Vg8d9C.A._GD.rg-g3"@whale.fsr.net>
- Resent-Sender: vision2020-request@moscow.com
I am forwarding various texts (flyers, letters, etc) from groups opposing
the Aryan Nations. I have scanned the text, and some of it seems
repetitive. I am not editing it at all, as I did not prepare the text, and
I don't want to change any intent of the authors. Likewise, I don't want
to be criticized for the content (which I am not likely to agree with
100%). I am providing this text for informational purposes.
<start text>
Here is a calendar announcement you can adapt for your local area for one
last blast to the media.
Luma
CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENT
July 5, 1999
FROM: Coalition Against Nazis
c/o United Front Against Fascism
5018 Rainier Avenue S.
Seattle, WA 98118
(206)722-2453
CONTACT: Luma Nichol
Office: (206)722-2453
Home: (206)725-0471
For Release Immediately
Do Not Use After: July 10, 1999
RE: SAY NO TO NAZIS - PROTEST THE ARYAN NATIONS
COEUR D'ALENE, IDAHO. Saturday, July 10, 1999
Coalition Against Nazis Rally in Idaho. Civil rights activists of all ages,
races, creeds and sexualities will meet in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on July 10 to
protest a planned march by the Aryan Nations, a white supremacist group with
a compound in Hayden Lake, Idaho. Anti-fascist supporters will gather at
9:00 a.m. in McEwen Field on the corner of 5th Street and Front Avenue for a
rally.
For more information, directions to the rally, or car pools, call
208-882-9755 or 206-722-2453. Sponsored by Coalition Against Nazis, a
project of United Front Against Fascism and Anti-Racist Action.
# # #
Dear mayor judy... June 9, 1999
On Wednesday, June 2, 1999, the City of Coeur d'Alene announced
that they granted a parade permit to the Aryan Nations for July 10, 1999 on
Ramsey Road. I have many questions and concerns regarding this decision and
would appreciate a timely response to this letter.
For last summer's Aryan Nations parade, our government officials
preached ignorance and asked the People to simply ignore the Aryan Nations
and pretend that racism does not exist in Northern Idaho. Our government
officials handed over the streets to the racists and encouraged businesses
to close shop. This summer, the City Council issued a statement on the
Aryan Nations parade that stated "the best support that you(the People) can
lend is to avoid the parade." This is a stance of avoidance and ignorance.
It is a strategy to tone down the event in order to conserve taxpayer money
for Law Enforcement. How long can we avoid dealing with deep rooted social
problems such as racism and the emerging hate ideology? Are we so deep in
denial and afraid to admit that our society has some major problems that we
have become paralyzed from doing the right thing by actively challenging
fascism?
The Aryan's speech is intended to suppress other peoples liberties
and intimidate them from exercising their Freedom of Speech. Their
terrorist tactics are used to intimidate entire communities and shut people
off from the ability to be free. It seems as if the government is
fulfilling this role for them by requesting ignorance from the people.
Following last summer's parade a wave of hate crime occurred
including mass mailings of anti-Semitic posters, newspapers, and a video of
the 1998 Aryan Nations parade. Multiple crosses-burnings occurred all over
the region and several in Spokane, WA. In the small community of Moscow, ID
an activist house was firebombed, a cross was burned on the front yard and
a hate letter was left in the mailbox that quoted passages from the Turner
Diaries. This wave of hate crimes has targeted minorities, members of the
gay and lesbian community, and pro-diversity activists. We cannot ignore
the Aryans when they start bombing and terrorizing our communities, yet,
words and responses from our government officials have not registered. Our
law enforcement has failed to carry out adequate investigations for some of
the most heinous crimes ever to occur in Idaho. Where are our government
leaders? Do you want our people to stay at bay during a time of injustice?
Do you want racists to keep minorities out of Idaho and diversity to wane?
Silence, neutrality and inaction are signs that our government believes
this violent racist behavior is legitimate.
Last summer, hundreds of Law Enforcement Officers from multiple
departments were deployed to protect the Aryans, but mostly to suppress the
counter-demonstrators' freedom of speech. The cops did everything possible
to ensure that the Aryans had a successful parade and one of their means
was to arrest anyone who resembled an agitator or a troublemaker. The Cops
constructed a fiction about stolen ammonium nitrate and blasting caps and
threats of violence which intended to scare away people who wanted to
exercise their freedom of speech and right to dissent. They used this story
as a pretext for searching for bombs and if people refused the search then
they would be forcibly searched and removed from the scene. Over twenty
people were arrested, many illegally. Several counter-demonstrators were
arrested for refusing to comply with an illegal request to search backpacks
or persons. One peaceful protester was dragged one-and-one-half blocks for
refusing to comply with an illegal search; one woman was unlawfully
arrested, physically handled and searched without a female officer present;
one disabled man was arrested for failing to give up his cane. Five
citizens have collectively mounted a lawsuit against the City of Coeur
d'Alene, the City's Attorneys Office, the City of Coeur d'Alene Police
Department and several individual officers. The plaintiffs in the civil
suit are arguing violations of their civil rights, 1st and 4th Amendment
rights, and police brutality. They have successfully settled with Kootenai
County for $80,000. On July 10, how many peaceful citizens are you going to
drag off the streets until their feet are bloody stumps simply for
protecting their constitutional rights?
The newly drafted parade ordinances does not clear up the illegal
search issue and appears very accommodating to the Aryans once again. What
is the City's plan of action? The City decided it is illegal to have a
weapon within 1000 feet of the parade. What is their proposal to check for
weapons? What if counter-demonstrators decide to protect their Fourth
Amendment rights and do not comply with the officers requests for searches.
Can you honestly, with good faith, believe that you can protect public
safety without violating peoples constitutional rights? How much of the
taxpayers money are you planning to spend on security? How much of the
taxpayers money are you going to waste on lawsuits resulting from police
misconduct, police brutality, police failure to know the law, and general
police incompetence? The government spent $125,000 last summer to ensure
that the environment was safe for the Aryans, but NOT safe for the
counter-demonstrators.
The City Council's states that Ramsey Road is the best choice
because it "would enable us to better control pedestrians". The Statement
also states that it is "a misdemeanor for anyone to cross the
police-designated barrier tape." Both of these measures target the
counter-demonstrators as the people who need to be controlled. Last summer,
Aryans freely flowed across the police lines without arrest. Will they be
allowed to move between the street and sidewalk freely? Can you please put
the peaceful citizen first and commit to creating a safe environment for
the courageous and respectable counter-demonstrators? I believe that
Kootenai County Sheriff's Captain Ben Wolfinger's statement that "It's
their(the Aryans) show, just like it was last year, and we'll assist them
as they need assistance", is an extremely scary and dangerous message to
admit and relate to the public. The parade must be YOUR show, NOT the
Aryan's. You have to do better than last year.
What message do you want to send to your constituents and the
world? The City Council's wants Coeur d'Alene to "be known for the bravery
and moral courage of its citizens who, in support of their nation's
Constitution, allow free speech in their community." Perhaps the City
officials have enough economic sense to allow the parade to avoid getting
sued by the ACLU, which does not require courage. And, again, this is a
stance of avoidance and ignorance. Why not tell the whole nation that the
People of Idaho and their elected officials take pride in their community
by directly challenging hate.
Well, you need to take a decisive stance beyond simply saying "I
don't agree with their beliefs although they have the right to express
them". How about "I don't agree with their beliefs and this is how I took
action to defend my community and the principles of diversity and
democracy." Or, "Yes, racism exists in Idaho and look how well the people
organize to actively declare that racist beliefs are not welcome here". We
want you to speak out. We want you to educate. We want you to encourage the
people to standup for what is right and what is good and you need to do
this yourself to set the example for others. We want you to empower the
People to exercise their rights rather than ignoring ignorance. A mass
counter-demonstration is already underway with people coming in from Los
Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, Calgary, Missoula and
Boise. What role are our government officials going to play in the
counter-demonstration? Please invite elders, children, business, church
groups, cultural groups, everyone to come and join this
counter-demonstration.
Yes, it is difficult to extinguish hate. We need to target the
people who directly perpetuate hate. We also need to fundamentally change
our institutions that were built on the foundation of racism, patriarchy
and fear. To enable hate is to participate in the process of spreading
hate. Let's be truly courageous and tell the world that Idahoans have zero
tolerance for racism and fascism.
Why don't you start working on an agenda to prevent the emergence
of hate? HATE is symptom of a rotten system. It is a symptom that something
is very wrong within our culture. It is an indication that we do not have
an effective support network or social safety net. We need to diagnosis,
treat, and prevent the causes of hate as well as deal with the effects. Our
government officials need to defend our communities from corporate rape and
pillage, Corporations impose unsustainable industries and exploit our labor
force by providing unfulfilling jobs. The extraction/export oriented
economies of the Inland Northwest are not healthy and will inevitably breed
lost and misguided souls. Our regions undereducated youth and work force is
not a debit, but a breeding ground for Aryan enlistment. Let's step up the
efforts to educate and provide fulfilling lifestyles. Let's say "NO" to the
Walmarts and the McDonalds, and large scale resorts that destroy small
local businesses. Lets create an atmosphere where minorities are welcome
and appreciated.
May this letter serve as a verification that the People of Idaho
do not want hate in their backyard. We want our leaders to lead the People
towards a diverse People living in peace and harmony. As a citizen who has
personally suffered police abuse from the Coeur d'Alene cops and violent
terrorism from the Aryans, I strongly urge you to take action.
Do you have any ideas? Please share and speak with me and the
People. Please make your position known by organizing a
rally/counter-demonstration in Coeur d'Alene during, and on the same site
as, the Aryan Nations parade.
Thankyou, good luck, and I look forward to working
with you,
Jonathan Crowell
Jonathan Crowell
POB 8968
Moscow, ID 83843
(208) 882-9755
cove@moscow.com
ARYAN NATIONS COUNTER-DEMONSTRATION
July 10, 1999 on Sherman Avenue in downtown Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Anti-Racist Action, Moscow
The Aryan Nations are planning to parade down the center of Coeur d'Alene,
Idaho on July 10, 1999.
The Aryan Nations is a Christian Identity group founded by Richard
Butler.
One of their main goals is to establish northern Idaho as the new
white homeland for white supremacy.
They are particularly dangerous due to their long history of
violent crimes, their outreach programs in schools and police departments
and...the surrounding population is a vulnerable middle-class/extraction
oriented prevalently white population.
The people of Idaho do not want violent hate groups in their back
yard and neither should the rest of the nation. Unfortunately, their
government representatives are either right-wing extremists or impotent and
scared to take a decisive stance in defense of their constituents. Last
summer, our political leaders preached a strategy of ignorance- "lets hand
over the city for the day and pretend that racists do not exist here". Lets
declare the entire nation, even the most remote corners of Idaho, a
"zero-tolerance for hate" zone. Lets show the whole world, through our
voice and our physical presence, that we directly and actively oppose hate
while simultaneously promoting a pro-diversity agenda. In this age of
school massacres, international genocide, and unspoken racism, we need the
help of the nation to stamp out hate.
The Aryans Nations use hate propaganda, fear, and terrorism to
intimidate our people who value a free and diverse world.
Perhaps they have a right to parade. We have the honor, privilege
and duty to counter-demonstrate. To protect our communities from infringing
racial hatred, we need to stand up and say "NO! You are not welcome here".
What is ARA, Moscow?
ARA is a local-based group that organizing and takes action against racism
and for diversity. Charged with action, ARA promotes democracy, social
justice and an appreciation for culture. (helps communities counter the
effort of 'hate' extremists to undermine democracy, to promote intolerance,
to limit equality, and to create an anti-democratic atmosphere in which
violence and intimidation become acceptable tools for political activism.
The group was formed immediately after a house of anti-racist/pro-diversity
activists was firebombed, a cross-burned on the yard and a hate letter left
in the mailbox.
What happened at last years parade?
Hundreds of police officers from multiple departments were deployed to
protect the Aryans and suppress the efforts of the courageous
counter-demonstrators. Over one-thousand people attended the
counter-demonstration outnumbering the Aryans more than 10:1. Over twenty
people were arrested; many illegally. The Kops constructed a fiction about
stolen explosives and threats of violence which intended to scare away
people who wanted to exercise their constitutional rights. The Kops did
everything to ensure that the Aryans had a successful parade and one of
their means was to arrest anyone who looked like an agitator of
troublemaker. They forcibly searched many people and citizens who refused
to dissolve their 4th Amendment rights were dragged off the scene. It was a
case where the politicians and law enforcement were very accommodating to
the Aryans and very brutal to peaceful dissenters.
CONTACT
Jonathan Crowell
Anti-Racist Action, Moscow
POB 8968 Moscow, Idaho 83843
tel- (208) 882-9755
email- cove@moscow.com
Protest the
Aryan Nations
in Coeur d'Alene
July 10th. 9:00 am
Mobilization Point:
5th Ave. and Front Street
in Coeur d'Alene
near the tennis Courts,
1 block from Sherman Ave.
We will peacefully protest
the Aryans and the government
agencies which accommodate, protect
and legitimize organized hatred.
Speakers:
Former Aryan Nations recruiter
Floyd Cochran; Michael Novick,
author White Power,White Lies.
We will march to Independence Point
and the Coeur d'Alene Park. Free lunch
provided by Seeds of Peace.
The Aryan Nations is a Christian
Identity racist, terrorist organization
founded by Richard Butler. One of
their main goals is to establish
a white supremacist homeland in
northern Idaho. They are a coalition
of the KKK, neo-Nazis, and right wing
extremists dedicated to race hatred.
The goal of the Aryan Nation's
parade is to show their "strength"
and to attract and recruit new members.
The Aryan Nation's use hate propaganda,
fear, and terrorism to intimidate our
people who value a free and diverse
world. They must be opposed.
The Coalition Against Nazism believes everyone needs to counteract the
infringing forces of violent hate groups by having a physcial presence at
the Aryan Nations parade and opposing counter-demonstration. Yes, the
Aryans are living in our backyard and they have a right to march. The
Aryans also, firebomb houses, burn crosses on people's front yards, and
spread hate-filled propaganda to our children. WE have the right and moral
obligation to say "NO! Your violent and ignoraent beliefs are not welcome
here in Idaho." To ignore racism and bigotry is to give the Aryans a
foot-in-the-door to our youth, our streets, and our communities. We have
the opportunity to peacefully deomistrate for diversity and speak out
against ethnic cleansing, the infection of our youth(the Columbine
Massacre), and thewidespread 'hate crimes' across the nation.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 24, 1999
From: Coalition Against Nazis
PO Box 8775, Moscow, Idaho, 83843
(208) 882-9775
Contact: Luma Nichol, United Front Against Fascism, Seattle (206)
722-2453
Jonathan Crowell, Anti-Racist Action Moscow (208) 882-9775
George, Anti-Racist Action Calgary (403) 221-0098 ext 111-0107
COALITION AGAINST NAZIS PLANS MASS PROTEST
OF ARYAN NATIONS PARADE IN IDAHO
Civil rights advocates from Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon,
California and Canada are calling for a counter-demonstration of the Aryan
Nations march on July 10 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, because "white supremacists
threaten the safety and human rights of people throughout the Northwest,"
says Luma Nichol, Seattle spokesperson for Coaliton Against Nazis (CAN).
Anti-Racist Action (ARA) and United Front Against Fascism (UFAF) chapters in
the region have joined to coordinate what Nichol expects to be "an outpouring
of opposition to racism, bigotry and Nazi violence."
In 1998, some 90 Klansmen and Aryan Nations members marched through
the heart of the Idaho resort town of Coeur d'Alene. Nearly 1,000 protesters
lined the parade route.
A longtime UFAF organizer, Nichol is not surprised that Reverend
Richard Butler, founder of Aryan Nations, is planning a second march. "White
supremacists want to appear powerful and legitimate," Nichol says. "And, by
leading the Nazi march with a police escort last year, the city helped them
do so. CAN believes that the best antidote to these displays of Hitlerism
are large community mobilizations that show that the majority of people are
ready to take a stand for civil rights."
CAN is asking city authorities to reconsider the tactics they used in
1998, when Coeur d'Alene Mayor Steve Judy urged civil rights supporters to
stay away from the parade. Many businesses and human rights organizations
cooperated with this strategy by offering free alternative activities. The
Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, for example, sponsored a rally
across the state border in Spokane, Washington during the parade.
"Turning your back on the fascists only emboldens them," Nichol
notes. "White supremacists are bullies, and, as any schoolyard kid will tell
you, you have to stand up to thugs."
CAN believes that city officials should instead help lead a
counter-demonstration and invite human rights advocates all over the area to
participate. "This would be the best way to ensure a peaceful, yet powerful,
denunciation of fascism,"says Jonathan Crowell, a CAN member with ARA in
Moscow, Idaho.
Crowell, who was arrested during the 1998 counter-protest for
refusing to allow a search of his backpack (which contained a jar of peanut
butter), successfully sued the county for illegal search and seizure. "Last
year the police over-reacted to what was a boisterous but peaceful assembly,"
he says. "I am worried about their intent this year."
Recent news reports reveal that local law enforcement has been
receiving riot training weekly since the 1998 events. On June 19, 115
heavily armed officers sprayed rubber bullets and pepper spray to disperse a
crowd of rowdy revellers in town for a car show.
CAN also points out that its plans to hold a Rock and Rally Against
Bigotry on the afternoon of Friday, July 9 are being hampered by the Park
Department's demand that organizers secure $500,000 in insurance. "We want
to hold a musical gathering to promote diversity at the bandshell in the park
to attract young people who are preyed on by Aryan Nations recruiters," says
Crowell.
"What does Coeur d'Alene have against anti-racists?" asks Nichol.
"The actions of city officials say that it's OK for Nazis to parade through
town without any insurance but not for civil rights activists to rally. The
fascists get a police escort and we get the SWAT team itching to use their
weapons and training on us."
Larry Hildes, of the National Lawyers Guild, says
"counter-demonstrators will not tolerate a repeat of last year. If the city
and the police continue to violate counter-demonstrators constitutional
rights, they will be subject to legal consequences." Larry Hildes is the
attorney in $13.3 million dollar civil suit against the city of Coeur
d'Alene, the City's Attorney Office, the city of Coeur d'Alene police
department and several individual police officers for last summer's, July
18, abuse of police power. (Larry Hildes is acting as an attorney contact
for media sources and can be reached at (510) 845-9788.)
Says Crowell, "The CAN rally is a community event, a time for
everyone who believes in human rights to come together: World War II vets and
youth, Jews and feminists, unionists and immigrants, people of color and
gays, radicals, First Nations people and the disabled. Our message is:
let's work together for a new millennium based on justice, equality and
optimism."
The United Front Against Fascism is well known for mobilizing against
the Ku Klux Klan, Populist Party, White Aryan Resistance and Aryan Nations
during the last decade. Among its achievements is bringing an end to annual
racist skinhead gatherings on Whidbey Island, near Seattle. ARA is an
international anti-fascist organization with over 140 chapters
across the USA and Canada. ARA chapters have either organized or attended
hundreds of counter-demonstrations to KKK rallies, neo-Nazi meetings, "White
Power" concerts, and white supremacist marches. ARA chapters are also active
in their communities exposing and confronting local bigots and doing
youth-based education work to create an anti-racist youth culture.
For information on buses and car pools to Coeur d'Alene, contact:
--on the West Coast, UFAF at 5018 Rainier Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98118,
(206) 722-2453 phone, (206) 723-7691 fax or e-mail <nicholuma@aol.com>;
--in Canada, ARA Calgary, P.O. Box 23147, Connaught P.O., Calgary, Alberta,
T2S 3B1, (403) 221-0098 X111-0107 phone or e-mail <aracalgary@hotmail.com>;
--in the Northwest inland, ARA Moscow, PO Box 8775, Moscow, ID 83843, (208)
882-9775 phone or e-mail <aramoscow@hotmail.com>.
#########
******************************************************
Full text of ARA statement:
ARA is an international anti-fascist organization with over 140 chapters
across the USA and Canada. ARA chapters have either organized or attended
hundreds of counter demonstrations to KKK rallies, Neo-nazi meetings, "White
Power" concerts, and white supremacist marches. ARA chapters are also active
in their communities exposing local bigots and doing youth-based education
work. Last but not least, ARA chapters like to party! ARA has put on
numerous Rock Against Racism Concerts and attend the concerts of anti-racist
bands to spread the message of anti-racism and creating an anti-racist youth
culture.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 24, 1999
From: Coalition Against Nazis
PO Box 8775, Moscow, Idaho, 83843
(208) 882-9775
Contact: Luma Nichol, United Front Against Fascism, Seattle (206)
722-2453
Jonathan Crowell, Anti-Racist Action Moscow (208) 882-9775
George, Anti-Racist Action Calgary (403) 221-0098 ext 111-0107
COALITION AGAINST NAZIS PLANS MASS PROTEST
OF ARYAN NATIONS PARADE IN IDAHO
Civil rights advocates from Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon,
California and Canada are calling for a counter-demonstration of the Aryan
Nations march on July 10 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, because "white supremacists
threaten the safety and human rights of people throughout the Northwest,"
says Luma Nichol, Seattle spokesperson for Coaliton Against Nazis (CAN).
Anti-Racist Action (ARA) and United Front Against Fascism (UFAF) chapters in
the region have joined to coordinate what Nichol expects to be "an outpouring
of opposition to racism, bigotry and Nazi violence."
In 1998, some 90 Klansmen and Aryan Nations members marched through
the heart of the Idaho resort town of Coeur d'Alene. Nearly 1,000 protesters
lined the parade route.
A longtime UFAF organizer, Nichol is not surprised that Reverend
Richard Butler, founder of Aryan Nations, is planning a second march. "White
supremacists want to appear powerful and legitimate," Nichol says. "And, by
leading the Nazi march with a police escort last year, the city helped them
do so. CAN believes that the best antidote to these displays of Hitlerism
are large community mobilizations that show that the majority of people are
ready to take a stand for civil rights."
CAN is asking city authorities to reconsider the tactics they used in
1998, when Coeur d'Alene Mayor Steve Judy urged civil rights supporters to
stay away from the parade. Many businesses and human rights organizations
cooperated with this strategy by offering free alternative activities. The
Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, for example, sponsored a rally
across the state border in Spokane, Washington during the parade.
"Turning your back on the fascists only emboldens them," Nichol
notes. "White supremacists are bullies, and, as any schoolyard kid will tell
you, you have to stand up to thugs."
CAN believes that city officials should instead help lead a
counter-demonstration and invite human rights advocates all over the area to
participate. "This would be the best way to ensure a peaceful, yet powerful,
denunciation of fascism,"says Jonathan Crowell, a CAN member with ARA in
Moscow, Idaho.
Crowell, who was arrested during the 1998 counter-protest for
refusing to allow a search of his backpack (which contained a jar of peanut
butter), successfully sued the county for illegal search and seizure. "Last
year the police over-reacted to what was a boisterous but peaceful assembly,"
he says. "I am worried about their intent this year."
Recent news reports reveal that local law enforcement has been
receiving riot training weekly since the 1998 events. On June 19, 115
heavily armed officers sprayed rubber bullets and pepper spray to disperse a
crowd of rowdy revellers in town for a car show.
CAN also points out that its plans to hold a Rock and Rally Against
Bigotry on the afternoon of Friday, July 9 are being hampered by the Park
Department's demand that organizers secure $500,000 in insurance. "We want
to hold a musical gathering to promote diversity at the bandshell in the park
to attract young people who are preyed on by Aryan Nations recruiters," says
Crowell.
"What does Coeur d'Alene have against anti-racists?" asks Nichol.
"The actions of city officials say that it's OK for Nazis to parade through
town without any insurance but not for civil rights activists to rally. The
fascists get a police escort and we get the SWAT team itching to use their
weapons and training on us."
Larry Hildes, of the National Lawyers Guild, says
"counter-demonstrators will not tolerate a repeat of last year. If the city
and the police continue to violate counter-demonstrators constitutional
rights, they will be subject to legal consequences." Larry Hildes is the
attorney in $13.3 million dollar civil suit against the city of Coeur
d'Alene, the City's Attorney Office, the city of Coeur d'Alene police
department and several individual police officers for last summer's, July
18, abuse of police power. (Larry Hildes is acting as an attorney contact
for media sources and can be reached at (510) 845-9788.)
Says Crowell, "The CAN rally is a community event, a time for
everyone who believes in human rights to come together: World War II vets and
youth, Jews and feminists, unionists and immigrants, people of color and
gays, radicals, First Nations people and the disabled. Our message is:
let's work together for a new millennium based on justice, equality and
optimism."
The United Front Against Fascism is well known for mobilizing against
the Ku Klux Klan, Populist Party, White Aryan Resistance and Aryan Nations
during the last decade. Among its achievements is bringing an end to annual
racist skinhead gatherings on Whidbey Island, near Seattle. ARA is an
international anti-fascist organization with over 140 chapters
across the USA and Canada. ARA chapters have either organized or attended
hundreds of counter-demonstrations to KKK rallies, neo-Nazi meetings, "White
Power" concerts, and white supremacist marches. ARA chapters are also active
in their communities exposing and confronting local bigots and doing
youth-based education work to create an anti-racist youth culture.
For information on buses and car pools to Coeur d'Alene, contact:
--on the West Coast, UFAF at 5018 Rainier Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98118,
(206) 722-2453 phone, (206) 723-7691 fax or e-mail <nicholuma@aol.com>;
--in Canada, ARA Calgary, P.O. Box 23147, Connaught P.O., Calgary, Alberta,
T2S 3B1, (403) 221-0098 X111-0107 phone or e-mail <aracalgary@hotmail.com>;
--in the Northwest inland, ARA Moscow, PO Box 8775, Moscow, ID 83843, (208)
882-9775 phone or e-mail <aramoscow@hotmail.com>.
#########
******************************************************
Full text of ARA statement:
ARA is an international anti-fascist organization with over 140 chapters
across the USA and Canada. ARA chapters have either organized or attended
hundreds of counter demonstrations to KKK rallies, Neo-nazi meetings, "White
Power" concerts, and white supremacist marches. ARA chapters are also active
in their communities exposing local bigots and doing youth-based education
work. Last but not least, ARA chapters like to party! ARA has put on
numerous Rock Against Racism Concerts and attend the concerts of anti-racist
bands to spread the message of anti-racism and creating an anti-racist youth
culture.
<end text>
Bob Hoffmann 229 East C St., Suite B
Alt-Escape Adventures Moscow, ID 83843 USA
http://www.alt-escape.com Phone: (208) 883-0642
Fax: 1-800-683-3799
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