Revised - for Immediate Release
REVISED - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kelly Miller, Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence (208-284-1724)
Leo Morales, American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho (208-344-9750 x1203)
Christine Pisani, Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities (208-334-2178)
Scott Graf, Press Secretary, Idaho Attorney General’s Office,
Jeff Church, Press Secretary, State Dept. of Education (208-332-6934)
April 24, 2017
ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS
COME TOGETHER TO CREATE COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS
WHERE EVERYONE IS VALUED AND SAFE
(Boise) – Multiple anti-violence, disability, and human rights advocacy organizations have announced a collaborative effort designed to help foster communities and schools where everyone feels safe, valued and able to thrive.
Advocacy organizations have voiced concerns regarding the criminal conduct of three white football players towards a black, mentally disabled teammate at Dietrich High School in 2015. In recent months, these organizations have seen an increase in calls related to the Dietrich case as well as other acts of discrimination and violence. They view this moment as a catalyst for meaningful change.
As part of the effort, the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence, Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities, Idaho State Independent Living Council, DisAbility Rights Idaho, Idaho Parents Unlimited, Idaho Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health and the ACLU of Idaho will be convening regional conversations to invite community members to share the direct or indirect impact of discrimination, hate, and violence in Idaho.
Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb and Representative Melissa Wintrow will facilitate the first forum on Tuesday, April 25th from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Linen Building, 1402 W. Grove Street in Boise. The group will collect stories about the personal impact of discrimination, bullying, harassment and violence as well as stories of resilience and community support. The stories will be shared with governmental and community stakeholders as they work toward identifying ways to ensure that all our schools and communities are safe and value everyone. Similar events will be held across the state.
Idaho’s Office of the Attorney General and the State Department of Education support the new initiative. Wasden, whose office prosecuted the Dietrich case, has pledged to work with organizers on identifying solutions.
“I applaud the effort to bring stakeholders together for these important conversations,” Wasden says. “I’m looking forward to sitting down with these groups in the coming months and I’m optimistic that together we can accomplish meaningful change.”
The initiative will include a focus on schools. Organizers hope to include teachers, administrators, coaches and parents.
“The specter of violence significantly impacts a student’s ability to learn,” says Matt McCarter, Director of Student Engagement at the State Department of Education. “Although schools play a significant role, issues of bullying and harassment are not school issues alone. Parents and communities are critical forces in how students learn to manage relationships and conflict. A united front is required to foster a peaceful generation.”
“We need bring people together to heal ourselves and our communities from the inside out and the ground up,” says Kelly Miller, the Executive Director of Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence and one of the effort’s lead organizers. “Together we can transform pain and conflict into tangible solutions.”
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Kelly Miller, JD, Executive Director
Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence
Leo Morales, Executive Director
ACLU of Idaho
Christine Pisani, M. Spec. Ed., Executive Director
Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities
Angela Lindig, Executive Director
Idaho Parents Unlimited
Mel Leviton, Executive Director
Idaho State Independent Living Council
Jim Baugh, JD, Executive Director
DisAbility Rights Idaho
Stephen Graci, Executive Director
Idaho Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health