Community Unites to Promote “Everyone is Welcome Here” Billboards

UPDATE: Residents in the Lewiston and Grangeville areas of Idaho are rallying around a powerful message of inclusion, unveiling new billboards that read “Everyone is Welcome Here.” This initiative, inspired by the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, is gaining momentum and sparking a statewide movement.

Just announced, the first billboard in Grangeville was erected in early September 2023, funded by community donations spearheaded by local resident Norma Staaf. The billboard’s aim? To counteract recent tensions over inclusivity in local schools, particularly a controversy surrounding a teacher’s classroom posters that led to national headlines.

According to Staaf, the message resonates deeply with Idahoans. “It’s such a lovely, simple, but beautiful message of inclusion,” she stated. Following initial success in Grangeville, Staaf was able to secure a second billboard in Lewiston, located near the Lewiston Tribune office on a digital display along D Street. This billboard will remain up for at least three months, thanks to ongoing community support.

The Wassmuth Center, a Boise-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting human dignity and diversity, has seen its message spread across Idaho. “Everyone is Welcome Here” serves as a foundational principle for both schools and communities, according to Christina Bruce-Bennion, executive director of the center. This grassroots effort reflects a growing desire for positive dialogue around inclusion.

The movement was ignited after a local teacher, Sarah Inama, faced backlash for her classroom posters advocating similar messages. Her refusal to comply with directives to remove them gained national attention, ultimately leading to her resignation and a new teaching position in the Boise School District.

Community members are taking action, with similar billboards popping up across the state, including one already installed in Coeur d’Alene. More are reportedly on the way to the Treasure Valley and central Idaho, signifying a broader push for acceptance.

“This message has resonated with so many people across the state and even beyond,” Staaf remarked. “I hope it inspires others to take small actions in their own communities.”

The billboards are not just about visibility; they represent a collective call to action for residents to engage in meaningful conversations about acceptance and diversity. As Staaf continues to receive support and donations, the initiative serves as a beacon of hope and unity in a time of division.

Stay tuned for more developments on this uplifting movement as communities across Idaho continue to embrace the message that everyone truly is welcome here.