Montana elected officials condemn attacks on Jewish community
White supremacists announce plans for armed march through town of Whitefish
The two United States senators from Montana and its governor were among the state’s top elected officials who condemned attacks on the Jewish community there and across the nation.
Senators Jon Tester, a Democrat, and Steve Daines, a Republican, along with Governor Steve Bullock, a Democrat, were among those who signed an open letter issued Tuesday. US Representative Ryan Zinke and State Attorney-General Tim Fox, both Republicans, also signed.
“We condemn attacks on our religious freedom manifesting in a group of antisemites,” the letter said. “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 antisemitic views that they shall find no safe haven here.”
The elected officials said they offer their “full support” to Montana’s Jewish community as well as to families, businesses, faith organizations and law enforcement officers.
“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,” said the letter.
The statement followed two incidents that have shaken the state’s Jewish residents.
An elderly man was identified last week as the person who last month distributed American Nazi Party fliers in residential neighborhoods of Missoula, prompting a local synagogue to ask for increased police protection.
Also, The Daily Stormer, a white supremacist website, published a blog post earlier this month calling for followers to “take action” against Jews in Whitefish, home to white supremacist Richard Spencer, by writing and calling them with antisemitic messages. The post included the names, phone numbers and addresses of Jewish Whitefish residents, as well as the Twitter handle and photo of a child.
Last week, the website announced it would conduct an armed march through the town against Jews.(JTA)