SANDPOINT, Idaho – In an effort to combat hate crimes in northern Idaho, the Department of Justice is partnering up with the FBI and several local community leaders to host a “United Against Hate” summit in Sandpoint.
The summit, led by U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit, follows previous summits already held in Coeur d’Alene, Ketchum, Caldwell, Pocatello, and Boise. Hurwit will be joined in Sandpoint by the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Bonner County Human Rights Task Force, Boundary County Human Rights Task Force, DOJ Community Relations Service, and the FBI.
“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,” Hurwit said.
Numbers from Idaho State Police show a total of 72 hate crimes across the state so far in 2023, an increase of around 60 percent compared to the same time last year.
In fact, it surpasses the total of all hate crimes for 2022, with the highest number of yearly hate crimes on record since at least 2018, despite nearly two full months left in the year.
“As Attorney General Garland has said, this is a moment for an all-hands-on-deck approach to combatting unlawful hate,” said Hurwit.
The DOJ launched United Against Hate with the goal of improving efforts to reduce hate crimes at the local level through partnerships between law enforcement, community leaders and, of course, local residents.
The event will be held on Nov. 14 at the Heartwood Center and is open to the public! There is no cost to attend, but those interested must register in advance online. The start time is 2 p.m., with check-in starting at 1:30.
“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 Hurwit. “And I am deeply honored to partner with our co-sponsors to prioritize this critical mission.”
