I attended the public meeting on resettling Syrian refugees in Ravalli County. There I witnessed our county commissioners knowingly incite hatred and racism against Syrians and all Muslims. It felt like I was attending a Ku Klux Klan meeting!
The chance of refugees coming to Ravalli County where there is high unemployment and bigotry is very slim, so what was the point? Were the commissioners trying to foment resistance and or hostility from their constituency?
The fact that they allowed this meeting, that was expected to be polarized, to be held at a Middle School, in session, is beyond poor judgment! Great lesson for our children: adults from their community, storming down the halls, fear mongers spouting profanities and hate speech, walking past “No Bullying” signs.
It is embarrassing to be part of a community that promotes such public displays of ignorance and bigotry, putting our children in danger of mob violence. I am not afraid of beleaguered Syrian women and children, but I am afraid of the Ravalli County anti anyone different mob.
Nancy Oesau
Hamilton