New Human Rights Education Center teaches future generations about rights and preserving them

Papier-mâché, painting and photographic art accompany words from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on the walls of the newly opened Human Rights Education Institute Center at 414 S. Mullen in Coeur d’Alene.

At its opening on Dec. 10—Human Rights Day—the institute’s board and the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations reviewed the 25-year human rights epic of the Inland Northwest and painted a picture of the future.

The task force started in early February 1981 to deal with the arrival of Nazis in the region, so its opening is a kick-off for upcoming events observing the 25th anniversary.

Norm Gissel

Norm Gissel, an attorney with the task force who helped Morris Dees of the Southern Poverty Law Center win the legal challenge that closed down the Aryan Nations in North Idaho, stressed the need for the institute to make permanent the idea that human rights are essential to the democratic process.

“American culture requires a high level of dignity and respect for people,” he said.

Norm told of recently speaking to five citizens of Azerbaijan who have the same constitution and bill of rights as the United States.  One told him, “The difference is that you believe them and that your government acts to protect those rights.”

 “To do nothing in response to the Nazis would have been a terrible mistake.  Tony Stewart and Marshall Mend decided to act,” Norm said.

“With no idea of what the future held, they set goals based on their beliefs of western culture in freedom and equality.  We struggled and worked together with others in Idaho, the Inland Northwest and the Northwest,” he said. 

Art depicts right to religious freedom.

“There were moments of anger and frustration, but finally the Nazis moved from the land, understanding that they had lost the cultural struggle.  Often that doesn’t happen, but the jury verdict of Keenan v. the Aryan Nation said clearly that there would be no more Nazis here.”

Norm shared words of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, as Bayard presented the Wallenburg Award to task force representatives in New York:  “The history of civil rights is a history of cities—Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham, Chicago—and now we add Coeur d’Alene.”

“I first thought he was overly generous, but as I stand here today, I realize it was not an overstatement as we understand the epic journey we have been engaged in,” Norm said.

For him, it’s less about winning a legal case and more a matter of continuing the role of Coeur d’Alene in civil rights into the future.

Stephanie Mills, reading a statement by Senator Mike Crapo, recalled the role of Rosa Parks in 1955 not giving up her seat and beginning the disintegration of bigotry and segregation in the United States.

Figure represents free speech.

“Segregation on public transportation became unconstitutional and the emerging movement transformed Martin Luther King, Jr., into a civil rights leader,” the senator wrote.  “People whether they act alone or together can create change. I’m proud that the people of Coeur d’Alene lent energy to support the values of human rights.”

He recalled that 25 years ago a small fraction of the population, who were outsiders, brought hate and intolerance to the region, but the Kootenai County Task Force for Human Relations stood up against them. 

“The HREI will expand Coeur d’Alene’s commitment to democracy and tolerance, serving as a world-class clearinghouse of education and advocacy for human rights and dignity, and upholding the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights,” he concluded.

Coeur d’Alene Mayor Sandi Bloem praised the courage of those who kept hate and bigotry from defining the community.

“Our work is never done.  Future generations must understand history and keep up fighting for peace and for welcoming all,” she said.

Mary Lou Reed recognizes leaders.

Mary Lou Reed and John Gee, HREI founders, recognized several people who have made it possible to open the center, including philanthropist Gregg Carr, who donated $1 million to the institute, and others who helped with developing the strategic plan and educational resources, with transforming the historic battery building and former Cultural Center into the Human Rights Education Center and with plans for its future expansion.

Mary Lou said the building at Coeur d’Alene Park, built in 1904 as a warehouse for electric batteries for trains, will be incorporated into the new structure.

Scott Cranston describes the architectural plans.

Architect Scott Cranston presented the design for the new structure with landscaping “as important as the building, making the outdoor, public spaces part of the Centennial Trail and dovetailing into the park and the Four Corners,” he said.

“Large windows will connect those inside to the outdoors and the lake, and will pique curiosity of those outside to come into the building,” he said. 

There will be exhibit space and conference meeting rooms, a library and research center for the educational function.  There will be a casual place for visitors to sit and discuss what they experience.

Mary Lou said a capital campaign is underway.

North Idaho College graphics students designed and made the arch over the entry to the center.

Programs planned for coming months include Martin Luther King Week, a PBS special on the 25 years of work, a spring speakers series in March and April, the task force’s annual meeting on March 20, a film series, World Dollar Day, launching efforts for the school districts to promote human rights, hosting a summer day camp and preparing traveling exhibits.

While the HREI searches for a new director, K.J. Torgerson is the institute’s acting director.

Monument cites Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For the unveiling of an outdoor monument, Freeman Duncan, an attorney, reminded those at the celebration that on Dec. 10, 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Its opening words are engraved on a 13,200-pound, 11-by-five-foot granite monument at the entry to the center.

“The declaration,” he said, “recognizes dignity as the basis for equality and freedom.  It protects human rights by law, recognizing the worth of the human person, equal rights of men and women.  It sets a common standard to achieve for all people and nations to teach, educate and promote respect for freedoms.”

In an interview after the event, Norm said the day “expiated my soul for the guilt I felt in 1963, as a white man driving through Alabama, where four girls had been killed on Sept. 18 when the Klu Klux Klan bombed the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church out of their desire to kill blacks.

“Today, I could feel those four girls saying, ‘Apology accepted.’  While history books may not name them, I remember them: Addie Mae Collins, Carol Denise McNair, Cynthia Diane Wesley and Carole Robertson.”

Norm pointed out that the road to civil rights is strewn with the blood of martyrs—Emmett Till, Martin Luther King, Jr., Medgar Evers and many others.  It is also strewn with the courage of those who stood up against hate and bigotry, such as Bill Wassmuth and many others in this region.

“We need to teach future generations,” Norm said.  “We cannot assume people will naturally respect others and learn from history.  Generally, I have not met a young person who is more racist than his or her parents.  I hope that as those spreading hate die, we will be released strand by strand.  We are making progress. 

“It’s hard to explain racism to my grandson, but he still needs to understand about it, or racism will raise its ugly head again,” Norm said.

For information, call 762-4407.

 

By Mary Stamp, The Fig Tree - © January 2006