Spokane County Human Rights Task Force launch celebrated

Tuesday was a tipping point in the crusade for human rights in the Inland Northwest.

Members of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations celebrated the establishment of the Spokane County Human Rights Task Force, an organization that has been at least 20 years in the making.

"Something happens from time to time, and it's a tipping point; it changes the community," said Tony Stewart, secretary and founding member of the KCTFHR. "This will have great effects not only on Spokane County but the entire region.

"This is just as happy a day for Spokane as it is for North Idaho."

The announcement was made at a morning press conference at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, where human rights leaders and community members from throughout Kootenai and Spokane counties shared the historic moment together.

"We are so excited," Stewart said. "It was such a joyous day."

Stewart said KCTFHR worked very closely for several months with SCHRTF organizers, who modeled their bylaws after those of KCTFHR. The KCTFHR was founded in 1981.

The SCHRTF will consist of a 23-member board of directors who will represent a broad and diverse segment of the people and communities in Spokane County. Its mission is to combat hate crimes while supporting those who are victimized by prejudice and bigotry. It will provide support for those experiencing discrimination, promote human rights education and work with other human rights groups.

The KCTFHR congratulated SCHRTF in a letter, saying "this is a major step forward for the advancement of human rights not only in Spokane County but also throughout the region" and that KCTFHR stands ready "to join hands in unity" to advance their common goals.

Stewart said the most exciting part is the partnership opportunities; SCHRTF's formation means the efforts for human rights in the Inland Empire will now be strengthened twofold.

"It's the big umbrella," he said, adding the two task forces will be able to work together while striving for the same mission.

The task forces will host joint events, alternating locations between the counties, Stewart said.

"That state line is an invisible line," he said.