| Program: | Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment, Seattle, WA | | Contact(s): | Bill Wassmuth, Executive Director: (206) 233-9136 | | Purpose: | To end harassment and violence by stopping individual and organized bigotry in states in the Northwest | | Background The Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment (NWCAMH) was created in 1987 in response to the Aryan Nation's annual meeting near Hayden Lake, Idaho on July 12, 1986. At the same time the Aryan Nation was meeting, over 1,000 people rallied in nearby city parks to celebrate human rights. After the rally, a steering committee was formed to develop a mechanism to maintain on-going efforts against bigotry in the Northwest. The result was NWCAMH, a nonprofit umbrella entity devoted to eradicate discriminatory violence by working in cooperation with human rights organizations, places of worship, law enforcement, grassroots community groups and organized labor. The coalition works with constituents in six states--Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. Program Operations
The Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment's programs provide assistance to victims, organizations, communities, businesses and community leaders to address organized bigotry. In addition, they monitor the activities of groups that harass individuals because of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry. Members are taught strategies to challenge bigotry and honor diversity in this nation. The coalition is governed by a 37-member board of directors composed of representatives from the governor's offices in each of the six states in the northwest region as well as representatives from different community activist groups. Over 200 public and private organizations are affiliated with the coalition. Outcomes and Significant Accomplishments The impact of the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment has been threefold: increased awareness, community collaboration and a change in social climate. The NWCAMH publishes a newsletter four times a year and has a distribution of over 5,000. The organization also sponsors an annual conference every fall to bring together human rights leaders. As many as 650 people have attended the annual conference since its inception in 1987. For additional information, look at the organization's Website, www.nwb.net\nwc. |
