The mission of the Montana Human Rights Network is to organize Montana residents to realize their power to create pluralism, justice, and equality in their communities. We challenge bigotry and discrimination, support marginalized people, and advocate for legislation that honors everyone’s basic rights.
“As the Network echoed, ignoring these groups and hoping they go away does nothing to solve the problem. . . Ignorance is intolerance's strongest ally.”-Great Falls Tribune Opinion, 8-16-11
The Montana Human Rights Networks continues to lead the fight for a LGBTQ inclusive state. Their 'Equality Montana' effort is changing culture and policies for the better
“I was drawn to the Network, because they defend those facing public prejudice, harassment or violence. A racist verbal assault? Anti gay rhetoric? White supremacists organizing? Threats to environmentalists? The Network is there. I joined because they have my back. And they have yours too.” – Linda Gryczan, Helena (photo T. Bridge, Helena IR)
“In Montana a rabble is rising.”– Laura Flanders in Blue Grit
“The lesson from Montana is that progressive power grows the same way, first by standing up and then by building support.” – Thomas Frank in What’s the Matter with Kansas?
"We look[ed] forward to being in Montana working with the Montana Human Rights Network and Native communities. We stand on the precipice of great change."- Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls
“No other Montana organization has done more to fight injustice and bigotry. MHRN provides both a trenchant analysis of the issues and well-timed actions to support its positions.” – Ralph Stone, Missoula
"I don’t need a landlord to agree with me, or to love me or to think I’m not going to hell. I just need them to rent me an apartment if I can pay," says Rep Kim Abbott and MHRN Co-Director, carrying a bill to protect LGBTQ people in employment.
“For over 25 years, the Network’s research & grassroots organizing have helped communities respond to right-wing extremists. It’s also extremely useful to call the Network if we need information about what’s going on in MT.” - Mark Potok, Southern Poverty Law Center
“For over 25 years, the Network’s research & grassroots organizing have helped communities respond to right-wing extremists. It’s also extremely useful to call the Network if we need information about what’s going on in MT.” - Mark Potok, Southern Poverty Law Center
Community, Equality, Justice
Who We Are
What We Do
We expand human rights in Montana by pursuing progressive public policy, combating white nationalism, and supporting community organizing. We addresses issues of: LGBT Equality, Economic Justice, Immigrant/Refugee Rights, Anti-Semitism & Islamophobia, and Tribal Sovereignty.
Hate Reporting & Response
Confidently report incidents of bigotry, intimidation, harassment and violence using the link below. Use the Rapid Response Guide when your community is confronting hate & bigotry.
Sign-up for Actions and Alerts
Sign-up for MHRN Actions and Alerts, including legislative updates, reports, and events.
Alerts and Actions
Find the most up-to-date reports, calls to action, and information.
Our Team:
The Network has a dynamic staff and board across the state. Our board represents various local groups, areas of expertise and specific communities.
Our History:
In response to white supremacist organizing in Montana in the late 1980s, local groups formed to counter hate activity. In 1990 these groups came together to discuss effective strategies for statewide activity countering bigotry and formed the Montana Human Rights Network.
Our Mission:
The mission of the Montana Human Rights Network is to organize Montana residents to realize their power to create pluralism, justice, and equality in their communities. We challenge bigotry and discrimination, support marginalized people, and advocate for legislation that honors everyone’s basic rights.
MHRN realizes this mission by:
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Organizing human rights groups
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Exposing, diffusing and responding to racism, white nationalism and the extreme right
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Developing and pursuing public policy initiatives and holding public officials accountable
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Conducting community education on human rights
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Working to increase community support and legal protection for groups of people targeted by hate activity
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Acting as allies, building and support all human rights
Our Work:
The Network organizes to expand support for human rights values across the state and promotes policies that recognize, respect, and fulfill every Montanan's human rights. We know that we are stronger together, free from fear.
Our Members & Supporters:
The Network has over 10,000 members and supporters and 10 affiliate groups. Our members are share values, contribute financially, volunteer, and take part in the democratic process from contacting elected officials, testifying at public hearings, showing up at rallies, to writing letters to their local papers.
Affiliates
"The Anaconda Coalition for Tolerance Education, formed in 2005 in response to hate literature dropped by a white supremacist group. MHRN immediately helped out with a speaker for a public meeting on white supremacist groups and their agenda. ACTE is proud to be affiliated with this vital organization." - Anne Dobney, ACTE President
"I think that MHRN's biggest impact is the use of the Human Rights Framework and the need to stand unified and not throw other under the bus to get a half-hearted win. This holds me steadfast in the importance of this organization."- Tammy Miller, Flathead Reservation Human Rights Coalition
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Love Lives Here (Flathead Valley)
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Anaconda Coalition for Tolerance Education - ACTE! (Anaconda)
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Montanans for Immigrant Justice
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Missoula Rises (Missoula)
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Flathead Reservation Human Rights Coalition (Flathead Reservation)
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Not In Our Town Billings - NIOT (Billings)
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Montana Interfaith Network
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Helena Youth Against Gun Violence
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Montana Gender Alliance
Contact us for more information on organizing in your area.
The Montana Human Rights Network (MHRN) is a 501c3 organization
PO Box 1509, Helena, MT 59624
(406) 442-5506
team@mhrn.org
MEDIA INQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT
media@mhrn.org for fastest response