Think Relocation To Quieter Byway

Finally, Coeur d’Alene officials have conceded the obvious: the odious Aryan Nations group has a constitutional right to march in their town.

Like it or not, that right has been tested several times in court, with the neo-Nazis always coming out on top. It remains to be seen, however, whether the hatemongers can dictate the time and place for their annual parade.

The City Council doesn’t think so. Last week, council members approved changes to the parade ordinance, which, among other things, gives Lake City the right to move the march to another location. That could set the stage for a costly constitutional battle.

So be it.

All along, we’ve opposed on constitutional grounds Coeur d’Alene’s attempt to stop the Aryans from marching. Also, we thought - and still do - that the city wasted money by hiring a Seattle constitutional expert to find a way to block a second neoNazi march this summer. But that doesn’t mean we support racist Richard Butler’s right to endanger people and property during the heart of tourism season by marching down Sherman Avenue, if the march could be staged with less risk elsewhere.

It’s one thing to close Sherman Avenue for a peaceful event, like the annual Fourth of July Parade, which draws the community together and celebrates our common bond of freedom. But it’s quite another to close the main downtown street for an event that honors hate and incites anger. Last year, the Aryan march triggered such passion that some two dozen protesters were arrested.

Butler and counterdemonstrators would be well served even if the parade were held elsewhere - say, on Ramsey Road, between Appleway and Kathleen Avenue, north of U.S. Highway 95. Butler still could give his community a black eye by attracting the nation’s media to his hatefest. And out-of-town protesters still could foam and fuss.

Sure, the march would tie up a busy street temporarily. But few businesses would be affected, other than the solid waste transfer station. Best of all, it would be easy to police.

Wisely, the City Council rejected one suggested change that would have hiked parade fees to pay for additional police patrols, street cleanup and other costs. Not only was that section questionable constitutionally but it would have made permits prohibitive for good functions, such as the Kiddie Parade and football homecoming events.

Butler, of course, wasn’t happy with any of the changes approved by the City Council. “This is the first time in history the First Amendment has been outlawed by the City Council,” he groused.

It’s hard to feel sorry for him. Not only does he espouse a despicable creed but one of the first things Adolf Hitler did when he came to power was suspend the Germans’ freedom of speech.

Butler should be happy his country protects his freedom to offend.