HATE: Not welcome here

Recently, “playbills” from an anonymous hate group in Coeur d’Alene were distributed on doorsteps in my neighborhood. The “playbill” was titled “Idaho Loves Mohammed” and featured an illustration of a man with a turban and dark boots with upturned toes. His clothing was peppered with stereotypes and adjacent to the illustration was a list of horrifically offensive “scenes.” While the writer of this disgusting vitriol hides behind anonymity, I am not afraid to voice that this community will not be tolerant of hate.

Hate such as this is an attack on the health of our community and it only escalates. Hate once found a home here but thoughtful citizens formed a united front against it. On Sept. 7, 2000, Kootenai County Task Force drove out the Aryan Nations, winning a $6.3MM lawsuit on behalf of the victims of their hate. We cannot let hate take root here again. I urge our community leaders to denounce hate groups and promote tolerance in our community.

ARIANA DAY

Coeur d’Alene