SANDPOINT — Knowledge, Rachel Carroll Rivas notes, is power.

The co-director of the Montana Human Rights Network, Rivas says many anti-democratic movements have begun co-opting human rights language. She is speaking today in Sandpoint to celebrate Human Rights Day.

Dec. 10 marks the 71st anniversary of the day in 1948 that the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Carroll Rivas will speak about understanding and countering anti-democratic movements co-opting human rights language. The program is free, and all are welcome.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 526 S. Olive Ave., in Sandpoint. It is being co-sponsored by the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force, the Montana Human Rights Network, First Lutheran Church, First Presbyterian Church and Lost Horse Press.

BCHRTF President Brenda Hammond heard Carroll Rivas speak at the fifth International Conference on Hate Studies at Gonzaga University in April on building peace through dialogue, kindness and forgiveness and said her message is a powerful and important one.

“As co-director of the Montana Human Rights Network, and other work that she has done, she has gained a wealth of experience about our region and the various groups and individuals that have tried to set down roots here that have a different vision — one that is not inclusive and does not champion these basic human rights for all,” Hammond said.

Carroll Rivas spoke about how many of these groups use human rights language that can disguise their true agendas. “This seemed like an important message to share,” Hammond added. “The task force is delighted that she has agreed to come to Sandpoint to do this.”

Carroll Rivas has worked to respond to hate activity for over a decade and organize communities to expose anti-democratic forces, task force officials said in a press release. She has been featured extensively in news coverage, including NPR and The New York Times, for her work fighting white nationalism and the militia movement.

Carroll Rivas has worked to support rural communities in their efforts to organize and research across the West, training hundreds of activists, academics, and community leaders in cross-issue movement building and analysis. Previously, she worked for The Policy Institute, a progressive think-tank and leadership organization, the Western Rural Development Center, and Jeannette Rankin Peace Center. She has served on the boards of Montana Conservation Voters and Big Sky Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, and she has helped manage six successful political races, including that of Montana’s first black mayor, a refugee from Liberia.

Carroll Rivas has two small children and her husband, Diego, works on clean energy policy.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the first international agreement on rights and freedoms that belong to all of us, Hammond said. Its preamble begins simply: “Recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”

The United States took a lead role in the drafting of this document through Eleanor Roosevelt, who chaired the committee that wrote the declaration. It followed the end of World War II and states that “disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind,” Hammond said.

“It was part of an attempt to keep these acts from happening again,” she added. “The BCHRTF feels that it is so important to keep this vision before us.”

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.