Hale Contemplates Move to Montana to Practice Law
Matt Hale, the leader of the racist World Church of the Creator (WCOTC), is a law school graduate, but was denied a license by the Illinois Bar Association's Character and Fitness Committee. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear his appeal, meaning Hale has no more options for Illinois. He is now looking into applying to bar associations in other states, including Montana.
When Hale applied to the Illinois Bar in 1999, the Character and Fitness Committee ruled he lacked the "good moral character" necessary to practice law because of his racist views. The committee also sited Hale's previous run-ins with the law, including a felony conviction in 1991 for Obstruction of Justice when Hale told police he didn't know the person who pulled a gun on a group of African Americans when, in fact, it was Hale's brother.
Hale appealed the committee's ruling to the Illinois Supreme Court which refused to hear the case. It was shortly after this ruling that Benjamin Smith, a WCOTC member, went on a shooting spree in Chicago, leaving two dead and nine wounded. Hale has speculated that Smith's actions were a response to the ruling. Hale then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court which also refused to hear the case in late June. Hale's comments after the ruling seem to advocate another violent outburst.
"I can no longer in good faith and in good conscience urge, recommend, or instruct my adherents and supporters in general to obey the laws of this land," Hale said on WCOTC's hotline. "I declare today that this government is illegitimate and has no basis of authority over we Racial Loyalists who are free... to take whatever actions we deem necessary to resist its tyranny."
On July 14th, Hale told KPAX News in Missoula that he might move to Montana to practice law. In a WCOTC hotline message on July 31, Hale said it was time for him to evaluate moving to another state to practice law. He said he's considering the racial makeup of states, meaning Montana would be a logical choice because of its predominantly white population. In the message, Hale also said he may apply to more than state at a time.
Hale is expected to visit Montana this summer, when WCOTC has its annual gathering near Superior. Last year's event drew about 10 racists, including Benjamin Smith's former girlfriend and activists from Washington.