Event set to mark Aryan Nations trial

The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations next month will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the civil trial that bankrupted the Aryan Nations and leader Richard Butler.

On Sept. 7, 2000, an Idaho jury delivered a verdict awarding Victoria and Jason Keenan $6.3 million after they were attacked by Aryan Nations guards while driving past the racist group’s compound. Task force attorney Norm Gissel worked with Morris Dees and the Southern Poverty Law Center to represent the Keenans in the trial.

The task force will post a photographic display at the Kootenai County Courthouse Veterans Plaza from Sept. 3 to 7. On Sept. 7 at noon, a black marble monument commemorating the event will be presented to the task force. The program also will include comments from Gissel and Ken Howard, another of the Keenans’ attorneys.

The public is invited to attend.