Citizen's letter to the Earth First! Journal regarding Aryans, firebombing and this summer's plan, 5/18/99

Perhaps humans cannot be fixed. Many would argue that we need to concentrate all of our energy on defending ecosystems. Unfortunately, in order to defend ecosystems, we need to deal with people. When we have an opportunity to shake the system...

Curiously, the best media coverage Earth First! received in the Idaho regional media aired when eight of us walked down a public drag topless to challenge Moscow city ordinances and fight for women's equality. We also gained ground with the masses(not that mass support is...) when we became the forefront of the movement against the Aryan Nations and for a diverse Idaho.

It is easier for people to relate to people issues. We actually received style points from our slimiest critic for our courage and perseverance.

The Aryans
What is more [American] than preventing the erosion of our constitution while simultaneously challenging racism, hate groups and their accommodating institutions?

The racist hate group is a Christian Identity organizations that was founded by Richard Butler who is attempting to establish northern Idaho as the new Aryan homeland.

Jonathan Crowell and Lori Graves, Earth Firsters! who defend the forests of Idaho, attended a counter-demonstration at an Aryan Nations parade in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on July 18, 1998. We held signs reading 'Earth First!, Hatred Last' and 'Suicide, not Genocide'. Both Jonathan and Lori were arrested for 'obstructing an officer' by refusing to allow an illegal search of their backpacks. (the kops had no clue they were arresting people who are actually aware of their rights) Their Fourth Amendment (protection against illegal search and seizure) and First Amendment rights were grossly violated and we were the victims of police brutality. Jonathan was dragged by cops one-and-a-half blocks across the pavement without any shoes while Lori was verbally and physically prodded by all male kops.

Five defendants (Jonathan Crowell, Lori Graves, Gary Bizek, Jeffrey Kerns, and Jeff Malone) hit the news big with a 13.3 million dollar lawsuit against the police departments and conspiring government agencies. We recently settled with Kootenai County for $80,000 and continue to press the City, the City Attorney's office, the City Police Department and several individual police officers. (We have discovered that organizing against the Aryans is a great way to do fundraising for our forest defense campaign.)

During the early morning hours of December 1, 1998, our house was firebombed, a cross was burned on the front lawn and a threatening letter was left in the mailbox. We founded a chapter of Anti-Racist Action, Moscow and have worked to get this crime classified as a 'hate crime' and to change Idaho state law to include intimidation due to political beliefs, sexual orientation and ecological viewpoints as a part of the 'hate crime' statute. It seems as if the kops are as incompetent with their investigation as the Aryans who failed to successfully burn down our house.

The Aryans are getting hammered from many angles- a dying leader, internal disarray, The Aryans are still dangerous. They infect our people, especially our youth with hatred for the diversity of life instead of steering the lost souls to fight against the real source of our problems- alienation and domination orchestrated by the imperial capitalist elites.

The preservation of ecological and cultural diversity are vitally important for our wondrous world. It is all the same fight and if we can stamp out source of Aryan Nations and perhaps convince a few locals that Earth First! stands up for what is right then we've got to be present at this summer's parade.

This summer's parade- The Aryan Nations have applied for another parade permit and the tentative date is set for July 10, 1999. Organizers from LA., San Francisco, Seattle, Calgary and Missoula plan to send a contingent to Idaho to directly challenge hate. Moscow, Idaho will serve as one of the staging grounds for this summer's organizing and everyone is invited. Idaho calls for the defense of the wild and an action against fascism, racism and all of the accommodating institutions.

Please contact ARA Moscow at POB 8775, Moscow, Idaho 83843 or the Cove/Mallard Coalition at POB 8968, Moscow, Idaho 83843 (208) 882-9755.

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Citizen's complaint with the City of Coeur d'Alene, July 27, 1998

I, Jonathan Crowell, am filing an official complaint with the City of Coeur d'Alene. Please inform me if this letter is not part of the proper process/procedure to file a complaint that will be recorded. Please send me the appropriate forms if they are necessary. I request that you send me all the relevant names, addresses and phone numbers of persons who are best equipped to address my complaints.

My complaints are in regard to the Aryan Nations parade in downtown Coeur d'Alene on the morning of July 18, 1998. As a peaceful demonstrator, my rights were violated by the City's law enforcement officers. Can you please tell me who declared the public streets of Coeur d'Alene a virtual police state? I was not informed that my constitutional rights would be temporarily stripped in order to allow the nazis/fascist to infect northern Idaho. It unclear if the City is aware what freedom of speech means. It is blatantly obvious that the City does not recognize the importance of the Fourth Amendment. When police officers request an illegal search, it poses a threat to every 'free walking' citizen in this country. The conduct of the City of Coeur d'Alene police Department, the Kootenai County Police Department and the Idaho State Police was extremely excessive, and absolutely reprehensible.

The City of Coeur d'Alene needs to develop a mechanism to inform the public that particular laws will be frozen during 'special' events and the exact location(s) of the declared zone. According to the local newspapers, the police department announced that anyone who attempted to interfere with the Aryan Nations precession or crossed the police barricades would be subject to prosecution. There was no warning that anyone wearing a backpack would be subject to police search and seizure. We cannot protect the First Amendment at the expense of the Fourth Amendment. If adverse/extenuating circumstances exist that immediately identifies any person wearing a backpack as a potential threat to public safety, the public deserves at least a warning that their Fourth Amendment rights will not be honored.

Refusing a search is not reason enough to establish probable cause and to proceed with the search without the victims consent. It is my understanding that law enforcement officers are required to retrieve a warrant before they can proceed with a search. Capt. Timmons claims, but is mistaken, that an officer is allowed to probe, and in order to ensure their personal safety, can conduct a search at a threshold below probable cause. The new Terry-Stop-and-Search/Frisk law does not apply to internal searches such as inside backpacks. It is unjust and unfair for the burden fall upon the public to investigate if their constitutionally given rights will be obsolete on a given day.

I never consented to speak to the officers. I was never informed that I was being officially detained nor did they ever request to see my identification. Following my arrest, I was dragged two blocks suffering multiple friction burns to my legs and feet(video/photographs), hog-tied, thrown into solitary confinement, verbally abused and denigrated, my hair was chopped, items were stolen, and the jail facility bonded me out with my own money without my consent. This is what I get for knowing my rights and trying to protect them. May this letter also serve as an official notice that I was injured on the streets of Coeur d'Alene at approximately 9:30am on 7/19/98 by the city law enforcement officers.

The City of Coeur d'Alene got what it wanted- a controlled, peaceful event. The City's name and reputation is salvaged, but it may be in jeopardy again if a civil suit is filed and the City's/police departments' tactics for keeping the peace are proved unconstitutional. Your officers were afraid. They overstepped the bounds of the constitution. It is unclear whether the orders came from the top or if individual officers misinterpreted their preparation training.

I have extensive footage of my unlawful and brutal arrest. When the footage is compared with the police report, it will be apparent to everyone in the courtroom and beyond that the Coeur d'Alene police officers are liars who don't appreciate our constitution. You can save the City's face, the court's time, and the taxpayers' money by simply asking the City Prosecutors Office to drop the charges for all individuals charged with obstruction because they refused to comply with an illegal search.

I demand a full investigation of the law enforcement entities involved and all parties responsible for giving the green light to officers to illegal search free walking citizens.

Please promptly respond to my requests and concerns.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Crowell

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Citizen's letter to local politicians regarding firebombing and 'hate crime' legislation, 12/12/98

Dear local politicians,

Greetings from Jonathan Crowell- a Moscow resident who is concerned with Idaho state 'Hate Crime' legislation. I am extremely enthusiastic in pursuing legislative reform to include people targeted for their anti-racist/pro-diversity beliefs, sexual orientation and ecological perspectives. Sergeant Carl Womack of the Moscow Police Department referred me to you.

I was a house mate of Lori Graves at 1215 South Harrison. On December 1, 1998, we became the victims of a firebombing, cross-burning, and threatening note. I need your help in registering this criminal act as a 'hate crime' and possibly pursuing more advanced legislative reform. Can you please read through the following letter, while referring to the attached documents and advise me on how to proceed? (i.e.- who to contact on various political and judicial levels?)

The state of Idaho can no longer ignore criminal acts of hate. This criminal act needs to be registered as a 'hate crime' on the state level. The criminal act could be characterized as 'attempted murder', 'arson', and qualifies as 'malicious harassment' on several grounds. Idaho State law considers cross-burning as a 'hate crime' under the 'malicious harassment statute.

'Malicious harassment', defined by the Idaho Code, declares it illegal to intimidate or harass another person because of that person's race, ancestry, etc.. Intimidation techniques include: 1) damaging, destroying, or defacing* any real or personal property of another person. 2) threaten, by word or act, to commit prohibited acts.

*defacing includes cross-burning

Unfortunately, the characterizations of race are deeply engrained in various layers of societal structures and institutions. Lori Graves and I would be considered 'white' people or Caucasians. Our characterization as a part of the 'white majority' does not exclude us from racial prejudice. On the morning of December 1, when our house was firebombed, we were discriminated against because of our race. This claim is verified by the language used in the 'threatening note'. The note identifies us as 'race traitors'. We are apparently a disgrace to our race for challenging racism and promoting a pro-diversity/'zero tolerance for hate' agenda. 'Race traitors' are often the most hated and targeted people by white supremacy groups. Secondly, the note also categorizes Lori as a communist and myself as a tree-hugger. Therefore, it can be inferred that we were also targeted for our political beliefs. Thirdly, the note identifies me as a homosexual. Finally, the note asks the question- 'What would your great grandfather do?' This question directly speaks of our ancestry. The threatening note, therefore targets us for our race, political beliefs, sexual orientation and ancestry.

Sergeant Carl Womack, the investigating officer for the Moscow Police Department, prefers to recognize this act of violence as 'arson' because it holds a stiffer sentence. He also claims that the firebombing, cross-burning, and threatening note is not associated with a crime specifically targeted to intimidate us(or anyone else) because of race or any other criteria for 'malicious harassment'. The penalties for 'malicious harassment', is "punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for a period not to exceed five years and/or a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars." Why can't the criminal act be characterized as both 'arson' and 'malicious harassment'? Based on the competency of the investigating agencies(the Moscow Police Department and the Idaho branch of the FBI), I have little confidence that the offender will be brought to justice. I would prefer that the criminal act be registered as a 'hate crime' in order to guarantee impact upon a greater sphere of people, instead of simply being swept under the rug.

The firebombing, cross-burning, threatening note incident needs to be registered as a 'hate crime' for federal reasons. Intimidation, including cross-burning, is not protected by the Freedom of Speech because it is a precursor to or a promise of violence (The KKK Acts, 18 USC 241-243, 245-247). Under the 'Hate Crimes Statistic Act(HCSA)', the attorney general is gathering information and evidence regarding acts of intimidation, arson and destruction of property based on race and sexual orientation. The evidence may be used to strengthen federal legislation and paint the violent picture of our U.S. culture. Ideally, the registration of 'hate crimes' will lead to more federal, state, and community focus and funding for educating the youth about diversity.

We need to take 'hate crime' violence more seriously and our communities need our political heads to take bold actions. Bigoted attacks are meant to terrorize entire communities, but, mobilizing for justice can help turn fear into empowerment. If we let this incident/investigation slide without any real or positive progress, then we've opened up the community to hate and similar attacks in the future.

I am frustrated that so many violent acts are ignored by our decision makers. We cannot ignore nor tolerate hate any longer. Instead of being ashamed of our racist and ignorant citizens and pretending that they are not a threat to the general well-being and safety of our people, lets accept our circumstances and begin to pro-actively heal our culture. The first step is recognition and acceptance- which includes recognizes and accepting our circumstances on every level of society. I believe that simply registering this criminal act as a 'hate crime' will help influence the broadest number of people.

Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to a response and possibly an opportunity to work with you or other decision makers to move towards peace, diversity and community.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Crowell

Here is a copy of the note found in the mailbox after the firebombing and cross-burning:

"You are a disgrace to your race, you commie bitch

The time of reckoning is here for you and those like you

Your days are numbered

You and your faggot treehugger sidekick better stay out of

Coeur d'Alene

We are watching you

What would your great grandfather do?"

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Press release to pressure local law enforcement and politicians to continue firebombing investigation. 4/12/99

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, April 12

CONTACT:

Anti-Racist Action, Moscow
Jonathan Crowell, Lori Graves and Larry Hildes- (208) 882-9755

CROSS-BURNING INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO CONTINUE;
VICTIMS TO ADDRESS THE MEDIA

Jonathan Crowell, Lori Graves and their attorney Larry Hildes will be holding a press conference on the steps of the Moscow Police station at 11:00am on Monday, April 12. The victims of the firebombing, cross-burning and hate letter would like to publicly refute the claims made by Corporeal Carl Wommack and Chief Dan Weaver in regards to the investigation.

Corporeal Wommack's main reason for finding the evidence insubstantial and unreliable is false. The mailbox that Sarah Scranton found the 'hate letter' never has standing water and mail never receives any water damage from rain. "The allegations about Sarah Scranton have no factual substance and are completely unfounded", said Graves.

"It is extremely unfortunate that Sarah Scranton is first, the victim of a near-death firebombing experience, and now, discredited in the media by her 'protectors'", said Crowell.

Moscow Police Chief Dan Weaver claims that the incident was "not consistent with activities of neo-nazi groups" because the letter was too well written and the cross was too poorly constructed. "These are not legitimate reasons to dismiss hate groups as the perpetrators", said Larry Hildes, the attorney for Graves and Crowell.

"It is disturbing that one of the most violent crimes in the history of Moscow has received so little police attention. The report was 'completed' in December before they received the results from the crime lab in Boise, and after four months it sounds like the police are giving up", said Crowell.

"The timing of the Department's release is interesting. Why now? The firebombing occurred days after we filed the claim in November. While we were on the road filing the official lawsuit we were hit with this shocking story that the investigation is at a standstill", said Hildes. "This is a serious crime that requires a serious investigation. A serious investigation has not happened".

Members of Anti-Racist Action have worked to step up the investigation effort by conducting legal research, contacting local politicians, gathering petitions, reaching out to the community for support, and speaking with the investigating officers at length. "The victims of the firebombing have and will cooperate with the Moscow Police Department and FBI to the full extent possible. We want the attackers to be caught", said Hildes.

The firebombing, cross-burning and 'hate letter' are forms of 'malicious harassment'(IC 18-7902) and qualify this criminal attack as a 'hate crime'. The local police department has failed to register this crime as a 'hate crime' which would have required the investigation to continue for five years.

"If we let the investigation of this violent crime slide, then we open up our community to hate and similar attacks in the future", said Graves. "To drop this investigation is premature and a real injustice to the Moscow community".

The victims of the firebombing want to invite the people of Moscow to attend the next City Council meeting on Monday, April 19th at the Council Chambers on the 2nd Floor of City Hall to encourage our local representatives to make sure the investigation continues in order to preserve peace and safety within our community.

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