United Against Hate summit comes to Sandpoint

SANDPOINT — Want to learn more about how to combat hate in your community? Join community and state leaders Nov. 14 at The Heartwood Center for a United Against Hate summit sponsored by U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit.

United Against Hate — an initiative launched by the Department of Justice — is focused on improving efforts to combat hate crimes and incidents through relationship building at the local level. Through this endeavor, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is seeking to create and strengthen trust and partnerships among law enforcement, community leaders and residents.

“In my view, this initiative is particularly timely for Idaho, as we have experienced a series of troubling hate incidents throughout the state in the past several years,” said Hurwit. “As Attorney General Garland has said, this is a moment for an all-hands-on-deck approach to combating unlawful hate.”

The Sandpoint event will include speeches from local leaders, presentations from prosecutors about hate crimes laws and reporting mechanisms, and speakers sharing their experiences responding to hate.

“I look forward to meeting community members and hearing different perspectives on how we can work together to unite our community in standing up to unlawful hate,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “And I am deeply honored to partner with our co-sponsors to prioritize this critical mission.”

The event is free and is open to the public. Check in times begin at 1:30 p.m. and the event will run from 2 to 3 p.m. To register, visit bit.ly/3MwIC45.

This event is sponsored by Hurwit, the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force, the Boundary County Human Rights Task Force, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, DOJ Community Relations Service and the FBI.