Boise council rebukes white supremacists, Charlottesville violence

Boise City Councilman Scot Ludwig says he had cultural and economic reasons for proposing a resolution condemning the hatred that led to racial violence last month in Charlottesville, Va.

First, in the wake of the violence, Ludwig wanted to reaffirm for Boiseans that the city welcomes people of all backgrounds, ethnicities and beliefs, and it has no place for the kinds of actions white supremacists displayed that led to the deaths of three people.

Second, Ludwig wanted to send a message to businesses interested in opening shop here that Boise, or at least City Hall, won’t tolerate hatred.

Ludwig’s resolution carries no binding policy implications. It is a statement of opinion.

“Racism is an affront to the ideals of our nation and the conscience of our residents,” the resolution reads. “The Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis, white supremacists and other hate groups do not represent the opinions and values of the people of Boise.”

Ludwig, the rare Republican at City Hall, said he wanted to bring the resolution forward earlier but planned to wait until after Mayor Dave Bieter’s State of the City address, which was scheduled for late August. Then Bieter’s address was delayed until November because of the death of former Idaho Gov. Cecil Andrus.

The resolution echoes a proclamation the City Council unanimously approved in January declaring that Boise welcomes refugees and other immigrants. Councilwoman Lauren McLean was that proclamation’s primary author.

The City Council unanimously approved Ludwig’s resolution Tuesday night.

Here is its full text:

A RESOLUTION CONDEMNING THE ACTIONS OF WHITE SUPREMACISTS AND RACIAL VIOLENCE IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA.

WHEREAS, on Saturday, August 12, 2017, the people of Charlottesville, Virginia endured an act of racist violence causing harm to many and claiming the lives of three people; and

WHEREAS, the City of Boise is saddened and outraged at the escalation of anger, hatred, and bigotry that hold no place in our society; and,

WHEREAS, racism is an affront to the ideals of our nation and the conscience of our residents; and,

WHEREAS, the Ku Klux Klan, Neo-Nazis, White Supremacists and other hate groups do not represent the opinions and values of the people of Boise; and,

WHEREAS, Boise is a community with a spirit of inclusion where we can celebrate and honor our diversity.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOISE CITY, IDAHO: The Mayor and City Council do hereby reject the message of all hate groups, renounce racism, white supremacy, anti-Semitism, the KKK, neo-Nazis, domestic terrorism and hatred; declare that those who want to spread hatred, bigotry and violence have no place in the city of Boise; and commit to ensuring that Boise remains a place of compassion, where hate is not, and never will be, welcome.

This story was originally published September 12, 2017 at 3:52 PM with the headline "Boise council rebukes white supremacists, Charlottesville violence."