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Submitted by MHRN's Local Affiliates

The HHRTF continues its radio show "In Perspective," which airs on Carroll College Radio 88.5 FM. It airs on Tuesdays from 5:00-6:00 pm. Bob Campbell is the host, and the Task Force has received a very good response to the show. Recent guests have included Cathy Siegner of Helena's Queen City News and representatives from the Montana Environmental Information Center.

The group has also started the ball rolling for its Martin Luther King essay and poster contest. This year the group has invited churches to participate in the poster contest. Albert Niccolucci spoke to the Helena Ministerial Association in October to discuss the MLK events and HHRTF in general. Participating churches will send in posters from their Sunday school classes. HHRTF also invited youth homes and other non-school organizations to participate.

FRHRC hosted a Halloween party for teens in St. Ignatius on November 30.

It also sponsored a peace rally on October 26 in Polson. The rally attracted 150 participants and featured 15 local speakers. Many people are frustrated by the course of the proposed war with Iraq, so the rally gave people an opportunity to vent their frustration and respond to the Bush administration.

FRHRC helped sponsor the Native Roots reggae concert in Polson. Native Roots is an all-Indian reggae band from Albuquerque, NM. Native Roots performed October 26 as a culminating event for Red Ribbon Week.

FRHRC is preparing for its 11th Annual Culture Fair to be held on Saturday, December 7 at Ronan Elementary School. Co-sponsors for this year's event include: Ronan School District #30, Ronan TRACKS program, Tribal Education Program and MHRN. The Culture Fair features food vendors, cultural displays, craft and gift tables, children's art activities, music, dancing and singing. To request additional information, call 676-8444 and ask for an information packet.

BHRA sponsored a youth violence prevention workshop in October, which was put on by the National Coalition Building Institute. Twenty youth attended the workshop, which was followed by a well-attended ska and punk concert.

The group was also instrumental in turning out a large number of people for a Hamilton High School board meeting. The meeting was called to address a request to ban Maya Angelou's book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. The book is an autobiographical account of growing up in the Depression-Era South and deals with overcoming adversity and racism. BHRA worked with other groups and individuals to show public and private support for teachers and administrators in resisting this censorship campaign led by Pastor Carry Monaco and Christian-right activist Harris Himes. Monaco said in-class discussions concerning the book usurped parental rights. Himes claimed the book promoted homosexuality.

The Alliance also had its annual booth at the Ravalli County Fair at the end of August. It was well received, especially by those getting chocolate for taking the human rights quiz.

The Northwest Montana Human Rights Network remains active in the community with monthly meetings, a series of speakers, and an excellent website that can be found at http://www aboutfacts.com.

On November 12, Historian Dave Walter presented his program, "Patriots Gone Berserk: The Montana Council of Defense, 1917-1921." Walter's presentation outlined how the Montana Council of Defense during World War I suspended several constitutionally-protected rights in Montana, including the right to assemble and free speech. The presentation had modern implications, especially in light of the United States Patriot Act of 2002.

Violence toward members of the environmental and human rights community in the Flathead remains a legitimate concern. The community still endures the tirades of John Stokes via his radio station AM 600 "The Edge." On a weekly basis, he targets individuals, organizations and government employees. On the bright side, the candidates for public office that agree to be interviewed on "The Edge" have not received broad support, except for U.S. Rep. Dennis Rehberg (R-MT) who continues to grant Stokes interviews.

The Task Force has been hosting a series of weekly community conversations about the US intention to wage war on Iraq. In addition the group has helped organize weekly silent vigils for peace and helped with one large rally and parade in downtown Bozeman.