Idaho

Parade foes to put best foot forward
Sandpoint to counter Aryans' efforts with celebration away from downtown
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Susan Drumheller
Staff writer

SANDPOINT _ SANDPOINT -- Sandpoint isn't going to let a little Aryan parade on its main streets get it down.

City leaders are instead planning a celebration.

That celebration will be well away from downtown, however, where Aryan Nations followers are planning to march on April 21.

While it's still uncertain whether the Aryans will actually hold their parade, the celebration will go forth, regardless.

"It would be a crime if the only time we got together to talk about what Sandpoint's all about is when they march," said Gretchen Albrecht-Hellar, past president of the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force.

When Aryan Nations followers announced plans to hold parades in Sandpoint, Coeur d'Alene and Rathdrum earlier this winter, the task force got together with other members of the community.

What emerged is a new ad hoc group called Celebrate Sandpoint, headed by task force president Gary Payton and Bonner County Daily Bee publisher David Keyes.

The group is busy planning an alternative event to draw people away from downtown Sandpoint.

"We wanted to provide something more positive and out of the way of the parade," Keyes said.

Plans aren't finalized by any means, but organizers envision a "4th of July" style celebration at the Bonner County Fairgrounds, with music, food and very few speeches.

"We don't want to make it boring," Keyes said.

The highlight of the event will be the unveiling of a sculpture by world-renowned local artist David Kraisler that will be given to the city of Sandpoint for permanent public display.

"It's really dynamic. It'll be really cool," Keyes said. "It reflects some of the town's beliefs."

In addition, most downtown businesses are planning to close their doors, and cover their signs and windows with black plastic for the duration of the parade.

The "ghost town" response is designed to show the community's disdain for the parade to the national media, which is expected to attend the event. Keyes hopes the media also will be drawn to the fairgrounds to learn what Sandpoint's really about, he said.

A downtown businessman also is trying to get approval to hang a banner across First Avenue, expressing the city's support for racial diversity.

Meanwhile, the City Council will soon vote on a resolution proclaiming support for human rights that's nearly identical to one recently passed by the Bonner County Commission.

City officials have yet to issue a permit for the parade. They're waiting to see whether the Aryans get approval from the Idaho Transportation Department.

State approval is necessary because the parade route uses part of First Avenue, which is a state highway.

Parade organizers took out a parade application last week, but have yet to return it, said Barbara Babic, Transportation Department spokeswoman.

The deadline to return the application to the state is April 1.

Even if they get state and city approval, the Aryans are unlikely to get permission to carry weapons. State law prohibits parading with weapons, except for recognized military organizations.

In addition, the city's newly adopted parade ordinance gives the police chief the power to approve weapons. Chief Mark Lockwood has already said he will not allow the Aryans to carry weapons in the parade.

Susan Drumheller can be reached at (208) 263-6558 or by e-mail at susand@spokesman.com.

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