'WE WILL NOT CONFUSE THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS AN OPINION WITH THE OBLIGATION TO TOLERATE IT': TESTIMONY OF BRIAN MULDOON OF LOVE LIVES HERE

On December 1, memebers of a Montana anti-hate group Love Lives Here went to the City Council in Whitefish, MT to support a resolution against hate groups like the National Policy Institute. We thought the remarks from one were important enough to post here. Remember these words the next time a hate group that wants to assert itself comes to your town.

 DATE: December 1, 2014

TO: Testimony presented to Whitefish City Council, Hearing Monday, December 1, 2014
By Ina Albert, Co-Founder of Love Lives Here

This statement is presented on behalf of Love Lives Here in the Flathead Valley:

Let me first say that Love Lives Here wants the Whitefish Council to know how much we appreciate your swift response to our request for action in support of human rights. As a result we are confident that our organization will be able to work closely with you in the future to ensure that the values and vision we have for our town become a reality.

We want to emphasize that Love Lives Here has not, does not and will not deny freedom of speech to anyone. At the same time, we do not deny ourselves that freedom. Nor do we deny anyone freedom of assembly. We use our freedoms to object strenuously to the denial of human rights and dignity to us or to any of our citizens. In addition, we condemn the disregard and denigration of our U.S. Constitution and the State of Montana by declaring that all citizens are UNEQUAL rather than equal in their rights and privileges of our land.

If we accept the premise of INEQUALITY, we stand on the uneven ground of persecution of those considered ‘less than’ the ideal being projected by those setting the ground rules for acceptance. Ideas like these are straight from a history we don’t want to repeat. It is an excuse to usurp God and the laws of man by designing what traits humans should have and rejecting those considered inferior. Claiming the right to design genetics for the human race is the ultimate arrogance.

Love Lives Here stands for everybody being included in our community—even those who preach this doctrine. What we can’t abide is giving up our right of free speech by standing by silent without protesting an ideology that restricts our rights.

This is not just a polite conversation about a philosophical theory. It challenges our way of life, our freedoms and the open and welcoming attitude we want to maintain in Whitefish. The question is whether we can shed light on this very difficult problem from both sides in open discussion.

This is why we are so appreciative of this resolution that allows us to move forward with the weight of the law to prevent discrimination and protect the rights of all our citizens no matter their skin color, circumstances of life and health, politics, faith, sex, heritage or sexual identity or orientation.

History demonstrates over and over that we must stand in our power in opposition to the discrimination, intimidation and violence that results from racism.

Again, thank you all for your support of humanitarian values and your swift response.

Thanks for listening,

Love Lives Here in the Flathead Valley