Honoring one of Idaho’s earliest and best known human rights advocates, the board of the Idaho Human Rights Education Center has approved changing its name to the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights. Bill Wassmuth, a one-time Catholic priest who died in 2002, became one of the northwest’s most visible leaders against hate when he confronted the Aryan Nations in Idaho. Among other things, he founded the Northwest Coalition against Malicious Harassment, later called the Northwest Coalition for Human Dignity. Marilyn Shuler of Boise, who served on the original Northwest Coalition board, said the name change was a fitting memorial to Wassmuth. “Bill was a charismatic leader and a passionate man whose strong sense of justice permeated his work in Idaho and elsewhere,” Shuler said.  “He was totally committed to spreading the message of equality throughout the northwest, and he simply refused to let any obstacle stand in his way”/Idaho Human Rights Education Center. More here. (SR file photo: Bill Wassmuth at NIC popcorn forum in 1997)

Question: Did you ever meet Bill Wassmuth?