Press response to white supremacist protesters

Calls came into the newsroom Friday alerting us that members of the Aryan Nations were protesting near North Idaho College and the Human Rights Education Institute.

Sadly, this isn't unusual. A small group of self-proclaimed white supremacists, usually about four to six of them, occasionally decide to stand somewhere in the area with signs, trying to spread their message. It's a jarring sight, but we didn't rush to the scene.

At The Press, we don't report on this group's protests, even if there is a counter-protest like the one that took place Friday.

Critics might say we're choosing to be silent about hate, but that's not the case. We're choosing against giving a platform to white supremacists when they're simply looking for publicity.

We will not be one of their promoters.

Their criminal acts of hate are another story. We have never shied away from covering those events, and we will continue to report them.

We will also continue to cover educational events designed to create a community dialogue on human rights.

Christie Wood, president of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, told The Press the task force does not support a face-to-face confrontation or counter demonstration with the Aryans.

"We will never stand across a street and yell back at Aryans or hold signs with a message. With that said, we will not remain silent to hate. All of our work is done strategically, and we have a 30-year history of success," Wood told The Press. "Task force founder Tony Stewart says it best: 'If anyone can show me a time in history when Dr. King attended a Klan protest then perhaps we will change our tactics, but you will not find that Dr. King ever did that.'"

Instead of engaging with the Aryans, Wood said the task force board members and the Human Rights Education Institute hosted the 27th annual Martin Luther King/human rights show for fifth-graders, which took place at NIC.

Press story about the children's show here: Students consider 'the Right to Dream'

The children were sent away with a message of hope, tolerance, and support of human rights for all, Wood said. As the kids left the college by bus, their route went past the protesters.

"Sadly, the little kids saw for themselves there is still much work to be done," Wood said.

Maureen Dolan is the Online News Editor for The Press. You can reach her at (208)664-8176 ext. 2005 or mdolan@cdapress.com.