Boise, Idaho
When a 27-pound rock covered with racist material was thrown through a bedroom window at the home of the President of the NAACP, the community banded together to form the Ada County Human Rights Task Force. Made up of clergy, school and law enforcement officials, representatives of the minority and human rights community, the group has provided training on cultural diversity to the local police, provided support to victims of malicious harassment, and hosted community events supporting diversity.
Caldwell, Idaho
When the Canyon Area Human Rights Task Force discussed the fact that there was no community celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr./Idaho Human Rights Day, they decided to do something about it. The small group has organized annual events featuring a candlelight parade followed by music and speakers. They also have partnered with others in hosting very successful Farmworker Appreciation Day events.
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
When racist incidents and anti-Semitic graffiti started appearing, the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations was born. It was ready to respond when the Aryan Nations headquartered in nearby Hayden Lake declared the five northwest states the "territorial imperative" of the white Christian. The Task Force organized a series of rallies and meetings leading to the formation of what is today a six-state organization, the Northwest Coalition against Malicious Harassment. The community won the All American City Award and the Raoul Wallenberg Award for their aggressive campaign against racist activities.
Idaho Falls, Idaho
When the president of the local NAACP was assaulted with racial slurs and threatened while riding his bicycle, the Mayor's Cultural Awareness and Human Relations Committee decided it needed to make a statement. It is producing a video on diversity, "The Many Faces of Idaho Falls." The Committee hopes the production will help promote the image of Idaho Falls as a community opposed to racism.
Pocatello, Idaho
When the local access television station aired a series of racially offensive television shows titled Race and Reason, the Pocatello Human Relations Advisory Committee decided not to get into a futile battle over the First Amendment. Instead, it organized response programs that aired after the racist show. The community response was overwhelmingly supportive of the message of respect for diversity promoted by the Human Relations group. In fact, the programs captured nationwide attention when The Today Show and NBC Nightly News showcased the work done by the Committee.
Sandpoint, Idaho
When leaders in the faith community became concerned about racism and anti-Semitism in their community, they established liaisons with leaders from neighboring human relations groups. They joined with the Kootenai County Task Force in urging residents to display orange ribbons to protest a racist youth conference being held in northern Idaho. Since that time, they have published a newsletter and sold notecards featuring award-winning art on civil rights drawn by area students.
