Tis The Season To Be Hatin': Snowman With Noose Appalls Idaho Home's Neighbors

Tha Artivist Says:

I know its appalling and distasteful to some, but I must say he has right to display this. It's on his property. I don't believe in censorship I am all for freedom of expression. I rather know who and what I am dealing with rather than being left in the dark and blindsided...Now there's tangible proof that racism and white supremacy isn't dead in this country, even in The Age Of Obama! Oh no! The things we need to be concerned about we stick are heads in the sand like ostriches. People, I am not about changing your mind I just want to inform you so you know you have a choice(s)...It's no secret that Idaho has always been a home of choice for these types of characters. Ruby Ridge anyone? Hell I have a cousin who is a marine who actually re-enlisted for a tour of duty in Afghanistan who lives there...lol...I am not saying he did it because of that I am just saying. ;) This cat is not my enemy. It goes deeper than that. I hope we spend more time focusing on things we can change and control, as individuals as well as a collective. One Love.

 This undated photo provided by Amber Caldwell, shows a snowman that depicts a white hooded figure associated with the Klu Klux Klan in the front yard of Mark Eliseuson in Hayden, Idaho. Kootenai County sheriff's deputies told Eliseuson Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010 that he could be charged with a crime because the 10-foot-tall snowman was holding what appeared to be a noose. Deputies were called by neighbors who were appalled by the pointy-headed snowman with two dark eyes. (AP Photo/Amber Caldwell) NO SALES

A now-headless snowman that had depicted a white hooded figure associated with the Klu Klux Klan is shown in the front yard of Mark Eliseuson, in Hayden, Idaho, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010. After being notified by law-enforcement officers that he could be charged with a crime because the snowman was holding what appeared to be a noose, Eliseuson said he removed the snowman's head. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Snowman With Noose Appalls Idaho Home's Neighbors

The Associated Press
9:31 p.m. Thursday, December 2, 2010

HAYDEN, Idaho — A white separatist drew complaints from neighbors and a visit from law enforcement officers after building a snowman shaped like a member of the Ku Klux Klan on his front lawn.

Kootenai County sheriff's deputies told Mark Eliseuson Wednesday that he could be charged with a crime because the 10-foot-tall snowman was holding what appeared to be a noose. Deputies were called by neighbors who were appalled by the pointy-headed snowman with two dark eyes.

Hayden for decades earned notoriety for being near the former rural compound of the Aryan Nations.

Eliseuson could have been charged with creating a public nuisance. Idaho law defines such a nuisance as anything "offensive to the senses" or that interferes with the comfort of an entire neighborhood. Eliseuson removed the noose and toppled the snowman after he talked with officers.

Eliseuson told KXLY-TV of Spokane that he sees nothing wrong with the snowman. But other people did.

"It's such a message of hate," said Amber Caldwell, who saw the snowman while visiting her cousin in the neighborhood. "My kids asked me about it and I had to explain what that symbol means."

Eliseuson has angered neighbors in the past by flying Aryan Nations flags at his home. At Halloween he passed out bullet casings after he said he ran out of candy.