Racist Leader Wants to Move Hate Group to Montana and Practice Law
Matt Hale, leader of the racist World Church of the Creator (WCOTC), wants to practice law in Montana. On Sept. 26, 2000, Hale announced he had mailed his application to the Montana Bar Association. In 1999, Hale's application to the Illinois Bar was denied by its Character and Fitness Committee, and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear Hale's appeal. MHRN is currently circulating petitions that allow Montanans to voice their opposition to Hale's ideology and organization. To receive a petition, call (406) 442-5506. Hale's presence in Montana was already felt when WCOTC held its annual convention in Superior on September 1-3. About 10 people attended the event at "Reverend" Slim Deardorff's shack.
MHRN's "Symbols of Racism" Conference a Success
Over 80 people attended MHRN's annual conference held at the Salish Kootenai College in Pablo on October 13-14. Participants were treated to presentations by Charlene Teters, Elouise Cobell and Carol Juneau. Teters talked about her activism against Indian mascots, while Cobell discussed her lawsuit against the federal government over the mismanagement of Indian trust funds. Juneau related her successful effort to pass legislation requiring the state to rename places containing the word "squaw." Conference goers also attended workshops on topics ranging from tribal issues to the racist music industry.
Environmental Activist Crosses the Line by Assaulting a Congresswoman
While holding a September hearing on Montana's forest fires, Rep. Helen Chenoweth-Hage (R-ID) was pelted with salmon by Randall Mark during her opening statements. Mark was arrested and charged with felony assault. The Missoulian falsely reported MHRN continued to jab Chenoweth-Hage after the incident, basing the comment on a fact sheet outlining her anti-government actions distributed by MHRN at a press conference prior to the incident. While MHRN disagrees with Chenoweth-Hage on a variety of issues, it supports her right to express her opinions free from threats or physical attack. MHRN worked hard to pass a 1995 law to increase penalties for threatening or intimidating public officials, arguing that violence has no place in the political arena. Mark pleaded not guilty to the charges and awaits a Nov. 13 trial.
Aryan Nations Loses Lawsuit, Changes Name
A jury found Richard Butler and Michael Teague negligent in the training of the security guards who assaulted Victoria and Jason Keenan near Aryan Nations' compound in 1998. The jury awarded over $6 million in punitive damages to the Keenans. Morris Dees, who represented the Keenans, plans to take everything the white supremacist group owns, including its infamous compound and its name. If the judge refuses to grant a new trial as requested by Aryan attorney Edgar Steele, Butler has said he will give up the property to satisfy the judgement. It has been reported throughout the racist movement that Aryan Nations is changing its name to "Aryan National Alliance." The group is scheduled to hold a parade in Coeur d'Alene on October 28.
Rest Stop Killer Gets 60 Years
Douglas Zander was sentenced to 60 years in Warm Spring's state hospital for killing David Solomon at the Gold Creek rest area in July 1999. After being arrested, Zander told police he shot Solomon because Solomon was black. Court psychiatrists took race out of the equation, diagnosing Zander as schizophrenic. In September 1999, MHRN presented the Solomon family with over $2,700 from a memorial fund it established.
Anti-Choice Activists Take On Kalispell Medical Center
A new abortion policy at Kalispell Regional Medical Center brought Christian Right anti-choice activists out of the woodwork. The center's new policy allows abortions only in cases where a baby would be born without kidneys or brain matter. The backlash against the policy is being led by Denise Cofer and "Flathead Prolife," which is threatening to picket the medical center. Cofer used to be the Flathead County Coordinator for the Christian Coalition. While holding that position in 1997, she also worked for neo-Nazi Chris Temple's financial consulting business.
The Militia Takes an Interest in the Upcoming Elections
On October 4, the Militia of Montana sent out an e-mail written by Gary Marbut of the Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA). The message included the candidates for statewide offices that MSSA was endorsing: Elaine Sollie Herman for the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Joyce Schmidt for State Auditor and Bob Brown for Secretary of State. The militia frequently posts messages from Marbut.
White Supremacists Gain Knowledge from the Militia of Montana
On September 25, the Nationalist Observer, a San Diego-based white supremacist group, circulated a message about networking that was attributed to the Militia of Montana. The message included 11 suggestions for how people can connect with like-minded folks. One point advised that a "government which will mass murder innocent families" won't play fair, while another claims words like "white supremacists; cultists; Nazis" are words the "masses are conditioned to hate." The Militia of Montana concluded by saying the movement must take the "moral and ideological high ground which has been abandoned by our foes."
Gun Rights Group Advocates the Fully Informed Jury Association
Gary Marbut, founder of the Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA) and Republican candidate for Missoula's House District 69, wants people to educate themselves in anti-government ideology. MSSA now includes a link on its website to the Fully Informed Jury Association, along with a note from Marbut saying FIJA is "the last peaceable barrier between innocent gun owners and a tyrannous government." FIJA promotes "jury nullification." The concept says individual jurors can judge, not just the evidence in a court case, but the constitutionality of law. In essence, it allows jurors to ignore laws they don't like, undermining the judicial system. The Militia of Montana has sold videos by FIJA "experts" like anti-Semite Red Beckman of Billings.
Anti-Indian Activist Holds Annual Illegal Hunt
Charlo-area resident Del Palmer once again hunted pheasants without buying a tribal permit. Palmer's land is within the Flathead Reservation, which means he is required to buy a tribal hunting permit. However, Palmer didn't purchase one this year and hasn't since 1990. Authorities have opted to not cite Palmer for his violations since 1997, even though Palmer advertises his hunts in local newspapers. Palmer has never been convicted for his violations. This year, he was joined by four people for the hunt, including two running for office, Rep. Rick Jore (Constitution Party of Montana - Ronan) and Phonacelle Shapel (Reform Party- St. Ignatius).
Bad Boating Leads to Racist's Conviction ... and Another Arrest
Racist Rudy Stanko, self-proclaimed leader of the Church of the Creator, was convicted of six misdemeanors in late September. The charges came from a boating accident that left Stanko's boat marooned on the bank of the Yellowstone River last March. He was fined $880, but the six-month jail sentence was suspended. His hunting, fishing and trapping privileges were revoked for two years. Shortly after the verdict was read, Stanko was arrested by police on a warrant issued by Fergus County, stemming from an unserved 10-day jail sentence.
Hot Times in Hot Springs
On Oct. 18, the Hot Springs School Board hosted a town meeting for public comment on a resolution passed by the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe. The resolution encourages all school districts to promptly remove mascots, emblems or symbols which depict Indians or tribal culture. The meeting in Hot Springs centered around the school's mascot, the Savages, and its emblem of a dream catcher with two eagle feathers. Charlene Teters, fresh from speaking at MHRN's conference and a founding member of the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and the Media, spoke on the damage inflicted by these images and urged the community to change the mascot. Two local mothers presented an opposing view. About 200 people attended this controversial meeting.
Right-Wing Law Group Drafts Laurel City Ordinance
The American Family Association's Center for Law and Policy drafted an ordinance being considered by the Laurel City Council. AFA made its reputation by boycotting Disney for being "anti-Christian" and "pro-homosexual" in the 1990s. AFA's founder, Rev. Don Wildmon, served as the co-chair of Pat Buchanan's 1996 presidential campaign. The ordinance deals with regulating where "sexually oriented businesses," like nude dancing clubs, could be established in Laurel. The ordinance now faces public reading and hearing phases. AFA has helped Montana right-wing groups in the past, including Dallas Erickson's Montanans for Decency Through Law.
Right-Wing Radio Host Urges Anti-Government Action
John Stokes, owner and on-air personality of Kalispell's KGEZ, is urging his listeners to act on their anti-government urges. For the past few months, Stokes has talked about "liberating" land that is closed off by Forest Service gates. He claims people who are upset with "federal extreme environmental policies" are cutting locks on such lands "in the dark of nite [sic]." He's urging anti-government activists to "just do it and shut up." Stokes came to Montana from Washington where he was active in the county secessionist movement, which called for new counties to be formed outside government jurisdiction. Since the mid-1990s, Stokes has been a vocal opponent of land-use planning and a property rights activist in the Flathead. However, his right-wing notions are broad ranging. While running for office in 1996, he said he would ban any discussion of gay rights in schools, advocate teaching creationism in schools and terminate Indian reservations.
Right-Wing Party Condemns Republicans at First Annual Conference
The Constitution Party of Montana (CP-MT) held its first annual convention in the middle of September. CP-MT's radical right-wing ideology is a combination of Christian fundamentalism and anti-government beliefs. Convention speakers included right-wing Montanans, such as Gary Marbut and Rob Natelson, along with the national Constitution Party's presidential candidate Howard Phillips. The speakers warned against the impending one-world-government and the Republican Party's role in this "New World Order." "Republicans are the greater evil," Phillips said. "They fly a false flag." Speakers emphasized voting for CP-MT candidates wasn't throwing a vote away, but voting with moral conscience. John Birch Society and Fully Informed Jury literature was available at the event.
Bitterroot Valley Groups Wants to Kick the Forest Service Out of the Forests
A group called Voters Opportunity to Educate (VOTE) is asking the Ravalli County Commission to get rid of federal control of public lands. VOTE met with the commission in early October and proposed a wise-use resolution invoking county supremacy. The resolution calls for all public lands to be controlled at the county level. VOTE got the idea for the resolution from New Mexico. Ravalli County hasn't taken any formal action. VOTE is led by Terry Nelson. Joe Gray and Lee Foss were the VOTE members who addressed the commission.
Multiple Use Group Asks Militia Activists to Attend Protest
Montanans for Multiple Use (MFMU) held a protest of federal policies that allow individuals to cut 16-inch lengths of dead trees for firewood, but prohibits timber industry from harvesting such trees. Dubbed "The Boston Tree Party," MFMU asked people to attend the event to protest policies by "His Majesty King Bill and Lord Albert Gore" that have reserved all forest lands for "the King and his Royal Environmental Court." Notices for the October 14 event were dispersed by the Militia of Montana and the Internet Sierra Times. Sierra Times is a right-wing publication produced by J.J. Johnson, former leader of the Ohio Unorganized Militia and one of the militia movement's main players in the mid-1990s.