Montana Governor Steve Bullock (D) released a public letter condemning Nazi threats made against Jews in his state. The letter was co-signed by a number of other Montana lawmakers.
The co-signers included Sen. Jon Tester (D), Sen. Steve Daines (R), Rep. Ryan Zinke (R) and Attorney General Tim Fox (R).
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Montana is no safe haven for hatred. @SenatorTester @SteveDaines @RyanZinke @AGTimFox & I stand together: https://t.co/KNb4BQs2eU #mtnews
— Steve Bullock (@GovernorBullock) December 27, 2016
A few weeks a go a local Synagogue in Missoula, Montana, asked for police protection after Nazi propaganda was distributed in that area. Then supporters of the racist white supremacist Richard Spencer threatened Jews in his hometown of Whitefish, Montana because people threatened to boycott his mother’s local business.And last week further threatened the Jews of Montana while declaring their intent to march in Whitefish next month.
The march’s organizer stated on his website that his, “lawyer is telling me we can easily march through the center of the town carrying high-powered rifles. Currently, my guys say we are going to be able to put together about 200 people to participate in the march, which will be against Jews, Jewish businesses and everyone who supports either.”
The posting about the march came with a picture of Auschwitz with the gold Jewish star which Jews were forced to wear during the Holocaust above it. Pictures of private citizens were added as well.
As Montanans, let us stand against recent acts of hatred. Join my family in displaying the @MTHumanRights image in your home during Hanukkah pic.twitter.com/sIHykhgcBA
— Steve Bullock (@GovernorBullock) December 22, 2016
Here is the full text of the letter:
“As we close out this year and look toward the future, we as Montana’s elected leaders are focused on the values that reflect our true character. Therefore, we condemn attacks on our religious freedom manifesting in a group of anti-Semites. We stand firmly together to send a clear message that ignorance, hatred and threats of violence are unacceptable and have no place in the town of Whitefish, or in any other community in Montana or across this nation. We say to those few who seek to publicize anti-Semitic views that they shall find no safe haven here.
“We offer our full support to the Jewish community, Montana families, businesses, faith organizations and law enforcement officers as they ensure the security of all our communities. We will address these threats directly and forcefully, putting our political differences aside to stand up for what’s right. That’s the Montana way, and the American way.
“Rest assured, any demonstration or threat of intimidation against any Montanan’s religious liberty will not be tolerated. It takes all Montanans working together to eradicate religious intolerance.
‘We are encouraged that so many Montanans from a variety of religious backgrounds have joined us in condemning this extreme ideology.
“God bless the great state of Montana and the United States of America.”
We will not tolerate hate against Montanans. Not now, not ever. Read my letter to Montanans here: https://t.co/FHMiS9pk5S #StandTogether
— Steve Bullock (@GovernorBullock) December 23, 2016
Montana Governor Steve Bullock had previously released the following statement:
“When the snow started falling all across our state last week, Montanans got to work. We shoveled sidewalks for our neighbors who couldn’t. We pulled out jumper cables for stranded strangers. We helped pull trucks out of ditches.
“As Montanans, these actions aren’t new or surprising to any of us. It’s just what we do. People here say that Montana is like one small town with a really long Main Street. They’re right. Our connections to one other, Montanan to Montanan, are real and strong. We hold each other, and ourselves, accountable.
“Because at the end of the day, Montanans want to be able to look each other in the eye and recognize that we all want many of the same things. We want good-paying jobs to support our families. We want our sons and our daughters to be treated fairly. We want to feel and be safe in our communities. We want the freedom to worship where and how we choose.
“And we want a better future for our children and our grandchildren. As the year comes to an end, it’s a time for reflection and a time for resolutions. Given some recent acts of division and hatred that have happened in some of our communities, here’s a resolution that all I hope Montanans can agree upon.
“We will not tolerate hate against our fellow Montanans. Not because of their religion. Not because of the color of their skin. Not because of their gender. We will not tolerate hate and intimidation of any kind. Not now. Not ever.
“Montanans have a reputation for talking straight. And the differences that we have are small compared to what unites us.
“So I ask you – as governor, as a husband, and as a father of three young children – to join me and build on and protect the Montana we know and love. In our communities, in our schools, in our places of work and worship, and in our homes.
“To do this we have to stand together. Act like our kids are watching and learning from the actions we take and the language we use. Geographically we may be a big state – but we are one community. One Montana.
“Let’s do everything we can, big and small, to remain one Montana now and for all future generations.”
