Aryans holding world congress in Idaho park

Everett Daily Herald/June 21, 2003

Athol, Idaho -- Law enforcement agencies anticipate few problems when the white supremacist organization Aryan Nations holds its annual "world congress" this weekend in a north Idaho state park.

Kootenai County sheriff's Capt. Ben Wolfinger said law enforcement officers will keep watch at Farragut State Park, but don't expect any disturbances.

Aryan Nations founder Richard Butler, 85, said he expects 100 to 200 participants at the event, which will feature several speakers and neo-Nazi skinhead rock bands.

The group, which lost its north Idaho headquarters in a civil rights lawsuit, will meet with other white supremacist groups at the park on Lake Pend Oreille through Sunday.

The group had planned to march through downtown Coeur d'Alene, but other groups had already bought permits for parades on the same dates this summer.