Residents Launch “Everyone is Welcome Here” Billboards in Idaho

URGENT UPDATE: Community members in Grangeville and Lewiston, Idaho, have rapidly launched a series of billboards promoting the message “Everyone is Welcome Here,” inspired by a recent controversy in local schools. This grassroots initiative is taking off, with hopes to spread a message of inclusion across the state.

Just announced by local resident Norma Staaf, the movement began with a billboard in Grangeville funded by donations from friends and neighbors. Staaf’s vision was sparked by yard signs from the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, which has a mission to promote respect for human dignity and diversity. “I thought, ‘Wow, that would make a good billboard,’” Staaf said, emphasizing the importance of the message.

The initial billboard, located along U.S. Highway 95, went live in early September 2023 and was intended to remain for just four weeks. However, the overwhelming response prompted Staaf to expand the project, leading to a second billboard on a digital screen in Lewiston, near the Lewiston Tribune office on the 500 block of D Street. “I’ve been amazed at how many people this message has resonated with across the state,” Staaf shared.

The story behind the billboards stems from a significant issue in the West Ada School District, where teacher Sarah Inama faced orders to remove inclusion posters from her classroom, sparking a national conversation on educational content neutrality. Inama’s refusal to comply led to her resignation and subsequent hiring at the Boise School District, illustrating the broader implications of this local conflict.

With community support pouring in, Staaf reports that they have secured sufficient funding to maintain the Lewiston billboard for at least three months. The impact of this message is evident, as similar billboards are now appearing in other Idaho cities, including Coeur d’Alene, with plans to expand to the Treasure Valley and central Idaho.

The growing visibility of the “Everyone is Welcome Here” message has ignited conversations about inclusion and community responsibility. Staaf encourages others to take small, meaningful actions in their own areas to promote positivity and acceptance. “It doesn’t have to be a state-wide multi-thousand dollar thing,” she stated. “It can just be a few friends having a message or some kind of action to spread a good message.”

As these billboards continue to capture attention, they symbolize a collective call for unity and compassion in a time of division. The movement is gaining traction, not just in Idaho, but potentially inspiring communities nationwide.

Stay tuned for more updates as this initiative unfolds, highlighting the power of community engagement and the importance of inclusive messages in our society today.