Forum Discusses Ways To Keep Hate Groups Out 100 Hear Presentations On Steps To Combat Racism

While former Aryan Nations members testified in a Coeur d’Alene trial that’s gaining national attention, more than 100 students and educators gathered at Spokane City Hall on Tuesday afternoon to fight hate groups.

“It’s purely coincidence that we had this event the same time as the trial,” said Vince Lemus, city human rights specialist and event co-organizer.

The event, “Student Forum on Hate,” invited area students and teachers to hear presentations about hate groups and discuss ways to keep organizations such as the Aryan Nations out of their communities.

“I’m excited,” said Lemus, who was pleased by the large turnout. “They want to learn more.”

Attendees listened to several speakers and presentations before breaking into smaller groups to discuss why the topic was important and how to prevent hate crimes in their community.

They watched a slide show documenting the past 15 years of activities on the Aryan Nations compound, including cross burnings, rallies and clashes with protesters. Afterward, the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, Brian Goldberg, encouraged students to learn more and understand that these groups are actively recruiting.

“You need to take something from this today,” he said. “The students sitting here, you are the prime target (for being recruited).”

But racism is not just found in organizations such as the Aryan Nations, said Josh Buehner, a member of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations. Many times it’s a friend or colleague who says something inappropriate.

“It can be frightening to tell someone when they crossed the line,” Buehner said.

Buehner told a story about a man sitting next to him in a North Idaho veterinary clinic who looked at Buehner’s two black kittens and made a racial slur.

The man repeated what he said to an incredulous Buehner, who responded by telling the man he didn’t appreciate that language. Buehner then moved to another seat.

Fourteen-year-old Marley Blonsky, a freshman at North Central High School, said that as a Jewish person she’s experienced hateful words.

“I learned a lot about what to do about hate. If I hear something, I definitely won’t be as shy about saying something about it,” Blonsky said. “I think there should be more events like this.”

Lemus said he will present student responses to the Spokane Task Force on Race Relations, a non-profit human rights organization.

The event, sponsored by Spokane School District 81, The SpokesmanReview and the city of Spokane, broke new ground, Lemus said.

“I don’t know of any other groups who have specifically worked with youth to get their ideas,” Lemus said.