On January 5th, Ada County Commissioners proclaimed January 2021 as Human Rights Awareness Month in Ada County. The proclamation recognized both the work of the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights and the impact of the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial.

As you may or may not know, the Anne Frank Memorial was recently a victim of vandalism, on December 7th. The truly amazing part was to see the community come together to lift up both the Wassmuth Center and the Memorial. The Mayor immediately came out with a show of support stating that, “The vandalism will be investigated and the people responsible will be held accountable.” Adding that it is a “horrific” and “reprehensible” crime.

Rabbi Dan Fink agreed saying, “I believe too that this is not who we are, but the words will be empty if we don’t get out there and show that this is not who we are,” he said. “Because who we are is ultimately determined by our actions, by the actions of the majority, who I believe are good and caring and compassionate and want to say no to hate, and will say no to intimidation.”

The Center has received $65,000 in donations, primarily from Micron, Chobani, and a GoFundMe page created on their behalf to support the installation of a security system in the Memorial and the development of new programming by the Center. Flowers and encouraging signs were placed at the Memorial and the Center held a virtual candle light vigil.

2021 marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights in Boise. In addition to building the Memorial, the organization is committed to the need and responsibility of promoting and protecting human rights. January 18th will also be celebrated as the 15th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr. / Idaho Human Rights Day. The proclamation put forth by the Ada County Board of Commissioners is as follows:

Whereas, the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world is the recognition of the inherent dignity and worth of the human person, and in equal rights of men and women; and

Whereas, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms contributes to social progress and better standards of life; and

Whereas, the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial is one of the few places in the world in which the Unif.k9l6versal Declaration of Human Rights is publicly displayed in its entirety; and

Whereas, the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, builder and home of the Memorial, is celebrating 25 years of advancing human rights education in Idaho, and

Whereas, the primary responsibility to promote respect for these rights and freedoms lies with each individual in Ada County, and each of us can play a major role in enhancing human rights; and

Whereas, the people of Ada County reaffirm their faith in fundamental rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women, social progress, and better standards of life.

Now, Therefore, the Board in recognition of Idaho Human Rights Day on January 18, 2021, hereby joins national and local officials in proclaiming January 2021 as:

HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH

And encourage citizens in our community to observe this month by celebrating thoughtful measures and laws undertaken to secure effective recognition and observance of these rights and freedoms, and by each person exercising his rights and freedoms as are determined by law solely for, the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.

Ada County. (2021, January 5). “January 2021 is Human Rights Awareness Month in Ada County.” https://adacounty.id.gov/blog/news/january-2021-is-human-rights-awareness-month-in-ada-county/

KTVB. (2020, December 10). “An Affront to All That We Are.” https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ktvb.com/amp/article/news/local/mayor-mclean-swastika-stickers-boise-anne-frank-memorial/277-5769242f-dd1a-4943-9682-11e80d36d466

KTVB. (2020, December 14). “Tonight We Say Enough.” Retrieved January 16, 2021 from https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ktvb.com/amp/article/news/local/wassmuth-center-human-rights-vigil/277-dce803dd-00e6-4d93-a0d5-eedd43501b77

Paris, J. (2020, December 9) “Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial in Boise Vandalized “ KTVB. Retrieved January 16, 2021 from https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ktvb.com/amp/article/news/crime/swastika-anne-frank-boise/277-058428a6-063d-47c2-a266-3e72c94d3b46