Pocatello Joins Cities Fostering Understanding

The key to combating the rhetoric of hate groups in a community is through rhetoric that promotes diversity and racial understanding, Pocatello Mayor Peter Angstadt says.

That’s why Pocatello has joined cities participating in “Not in Our Town” campaigns, which started in Billings, Mont.

Through the efforts of concerned citizens, Pocatello endorsed the campaign this year. It kicked off in January to coincide with events connected with the Martin Luther King holiday.

“The whole idea behind the campaign is to let those with racist or discriminatory ideas know that they are not welcome in our town,” Angstadt said.

The first event, a spirited town meeting with a panel of experts on racism, was well-attended and sparked a sometimes-controversial discussion of race relations.

The city’s Human Relations Advisory Committee sponsored a program on the history of local blacks and plans similar programs concerning other races and cultures, the mayor said.

Diversity also has been the topic of programs and speakers sponsored by Idaho State University. And citizens have removed offensive graffiti.