Survivalists in Idaho
Scott A. Derrickson (sderric@hinc.hawaii.gov)
Fri, 7 Oct 1994 11:31:03 +38835
Aloha to all:
A recent article appeared in our local paper (The Honolulu
Advertiser 10/07/94) which was written by Louis Sahagun at the Los
Angeles Times. In it he talked about the grand designs of a former
presidential candidtate and ex-Green Beret named James "Bo" Gritz. These
plans included "five and ten-acre lots surrounded by hay farms and
conifers for 1,000 "Christian patriots" - many of whom he has trained in
paramilitary tactics." This area is high above the Clearwater River on a
plateau overlooking the timber town of Kamiah in Idaho. The twin
communities to be developed are Almost Heaven and Shenandoah. These
communities sit on top of a high plateau reachable only by a steep,
winding unpaved road. The only rule in his covenant communities is that
members promise to defen their neighbors against any "predator threat."
Of importance is that this area is surrounded by lands of the Nez
Perce. The belief is that these communities are designed as new
stongholds for white supremacists/paramilitary organizations. Jonathan
Mozzochi, director of the Seattle-based Coalition for Human Dignity,
which monitors right wing extremist groups throughout the Northwest
says", Gritz's efforts to establish a community of followers in central
Idaho who have been trained by him in paramilitary tactics, represents
perhaps the most significant development in the white supremacist
movement in recent years."
Indications are already clear that Gritz's group intends to
control the existing town of Kamiah. They will run their own candidate
for sheriff, and have begun to boycott local businesses which are
critical of them.
Anyone out there on the "net" know anything more. Especially
what position if any the Nez Perce have regarding this "community" being
built in their midst?
Aloha, Scott