Task Force History
The Boundary County Task Force on Human Rights was originally formed to send a clear message to the former Grand Dragon of the Michigan Ku Klux Klan, Reverend Robert E. Miles, that his white separatist church with racist and anti-Semitic views was not welcome in Boundary County.
In November of 1987, Miles contemplated relocating his 2,000-member Mountain Church congregation to Boundary County from Cohoctah, Michigan where he held cross-burnings and hate rallies. In the early 1970’s, Miles was convicted and served time in prison for conspiring to bomb school buses in protest of school integration. In the 1980’s, his church was part of the white separatist movement which hoped to establish a whites-only society in the Pacific Northwest.
In response, Boundary County commissioners, Sheriff Ron Smith, clergy and concerned citizens stood together in unity against white supremacy which led to the formation of the task force. Approximately forty concerned citizens from a wide variety of backgrounds drafted a letter that successfully convinced Miles his message of hate was not welcome in Boundary County. As an organized group the members' statement of purpose called for opposition to any group of persons espousing a way of life that includes hatred, bigotry or violence.
In November of 1987, Miles contemplated relocating his 2,000-member Mountain Church congregation to Boundary County from Cohoctah, Michigan where he held cross-burnings and hate rallies. In the early 1970’s, Miles was convicted and served time in prison for conspiring to bomb school buses in protest of school integration. In the 1980’s, his church was part of the white separatist movement which hoped to establish a whites-only society in the Pacific Northwest.
In response, Boundary County commissioners, Sheriff Ron Smith, clergy and concerned citizens stood together in unity against white supremacy which led to the formation of the task force. Approximately forty concerned citizens from a wide variety of backgrounds drafted a letter that successfully convinced Miles his message of hate was not welcome in Boundary County. As an organized group the members' statement of purpose called for opposition to any group of persons espousing a way of life that includes hatred, bigotry or violence.
Purpose
The Boundary County Human Rights Task Force is founded upon the self-evident truth that all persons are created equal. Our purpose is to address the problem and threat of malicious harassment and violence based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
We support the dignity and worth of the human being and are committed to the pursuit of the ideals of justice and equality for all persons.
We pledge to work for the elimination of bigotry and acts which stem from bigotry. It is our belief that to say “yes” to human rights is the best way to say “no” to prejudice and bigotry.
We support federal, state and local laws that guarantee due process of law and equal protection of the law for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, gender, disability, ethnic origin or sexual orientation.
We reject the doctrine of white supremacy or any other doctrine that advocates the superiority of one group over another.
BCHRTF assists individuals, groups and the community in establishing effective peaceful means to eliminate acts of harassment and violence.
We support the dignity and worth of the human being and are committed to the pursuit of the ideals of justice and equality for all persons.
We pledge to work for the elimination of bigotry and acts which stem from bigotry. It is our belief that to say “yes” to human rights is the best way to say “no” to prejudice and bigotry.
We support federal, state and local laws that guarantee due process of law and equal protection of the law for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, gender, disability, ethnic origin or sexual orientation.
We reject the doctrine of white supremacy or any other doctrine that advocates the superiority of one group over another.
BCHRTF assists individuals, groups and the community in establishing effective peaceful means to eliminate acts of harassment and violence.
