New vandalism at the Community Spirit Monument! Here's what we're doing.
Many of you know that the Community Spirit Monument in Woodland Park was vandalized in late September. It looks like vandals have struck again.
On Saturday, we got word that swastikas were spray painted on the sign, and they're guessing this new vandalism happened right before Thanksgiving.
Over the weekend, the graffiti was removed and the benches covered with plywood to protect them. There are plans for repairing the benches, and we'll let you know if and when help is needed.
Love Lives Here believes a greater response is needed as well, so we're going to the Kalispell City Council meeting tonight (Monday, Dec. 2) at 7pm at City Hall in the council chambers at 201 1st Ave E., Kalispell to make a statement during public comments. If you can make it, we'd like you to come to the meeting, too.
Love Lives Here knows that city council members and city employees, including the police department, are working very hard every day to keep the city running smoothly. We are deeply grateful for Mayor Mark Johnson’s strong statement (below) in support of acceptance and diversity.
”The city of Kalispell condemns these actions and wholeheartedly supports our Jewish friends and neighbors every day and especially during the high holy holidays,” he said. “The city of Kalispell values, recognizes and includes all citizens without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, ability, marital status, sexual orientation or political affiliation.We are a stronger community because of the diversity, mutual respect and the human kindness that bonds us together.”
We want to be part of a solution that prevents the city from being defined by racist, destructive activities like this vandalism.
Here's what we're going to say tonight:
1. We would like to help as much as we can to make sure that the Community Spirit Monument is repaired quickly. Leaving these repairs until spring could invite more vandalism and cause damage to the monument.
2. White supremacist activity needs to be taken seriously. We don't want to give these domestic terrorists attention, but our community should be united in the belief that defacing and destroying public property with hate symbols is not acceptable, and we need to say so without hesitation.
3. Love Lives Here wants to help create communication strategies with key stakeholders like police, city council members, business organizations, clergy, and others so we can all coordinate efforts for a swift, effective response when this kind of activity shows up.
White supremacists seem to think they can show up in the Flathead Valley, create trouble, and find some new recruits. They've been trying to move in for years, but the good news is that we're pretty good at showing them the exit.
The only way we can make sure that white supremacists don't start attracting more followers in the Flathead Valley is to admit there is a problem and work together.
Please come to the Kalispell city council meeting tonight and show your support for a community where people can live, love, work, and play in safety.
If you can't make it, no problem. You can still help by knowing exactly what to do when you find white supremacist literature, graffiti, or even an in-person incident of discrimination.
If anyone's safety is at risk, call 911 immediately.
If you have found graffiti or white supremacist literature, save the materials and file a report with the Montana Human Rights Network. Your report can be anonymous, or we can follow up with you if needed.
Next, call the non-emergency number for your local police department and let them know what you found. Having this information can help establish a pattern of activity.
White supremacists want us to live in fear of their next attack, but that's not our style. We're taking decisive action instead.
Hope to see you tonight!
Questions? Send us an email at info@loveliveshereflathead.org.