Council splits on Human Rights Commission sponsorships; approves community dinner and Mr. Rogers film, denies Kenworthy silent film sponsorship

Moscow City Council voted Sept. 2 on three sponsorship requests brought by the Human Rights Commission (HRC). After discussion about timing, audience and fiscal year budgeting, council members denied funding for a ticketed Kenworthy silent‑film event, approved a community dinner for students to be held Sept. 29, and approved funding for a November free screening of the film Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Erin Gidias, chair of the Human Rights Commission, described the requests as part of the commission’s work “to affirm, encourage, and initiate programs within the City designed to eliminate discrimination, improve human relations, and effectuate the spirit and intent of applicable human rights legislation.” She told council the requests aimed to lower barriers to inclusion, promote intercultural understanding and provide a forum for students who have lost campus identity offices to share concerns.

Council discussion focused on three issues: whether ticketed events should receive municipal sponsorship dollars, the timing of commission planning relative to the fiscal year, and how sponsorship funds would be spent. Several councilmembers said the HRC historically holds its Inclusive Communities Month in September and that some steps of planning and approvals were compressed this year by timing and newly updated sponsorship forms.

The council first considered a motion to deny funding for the Kenworthy silent‑film screening (Told in the Hills) and the motion passed with a majority vote (transcript indicates a 5–1 result on that motion). Councilmembers who opposed the Kenworthy funding said the event’s ticketed admission and $40 price created an access barrier that made public sponsorship less appropriate.

The council then voted to approve an HRC proposal to host a community dinner for University of Idaho students on Sept. 29 in coordination with the Latah County Human Rights Task Force; that motion passed 4–2. Councilmembers who supported the dinner said the event would provide an accessible, free opportunity for students to meet and offer feedback to the commission about supports and needs.

A subsequent motion to fund a November free screening of the Mr. Rogers documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor? passed by council 5–1. Council discussion noted that the Mr. Rogers event is intended as a free community event, while the Kenworthy screening involved ticketed admission and a cost to attendees.

Council and staff clarified procedural points: staff noted that any sponsorship over $500 requires council approval, that HRC’s charge is broader than some advisory bodies and authorizes programs to “eliminate discrimination, improve human relations, and effectuate the spirit and intent of applicable human rights legislation.” Finance staff noted the HRC had budgeted funds available from FY25 that would otherwise be returned to the city’s general fund if not spent.

The HRC’s sponsorship package included three items: a free community dinner to convene students and student groups; a Kenworthy silent‑film screening featuring a restored Nez Perce cast film (Told in the Hills); and a planned screening of Won't You Be My Neighbor? The council conditioned no additional requirements on the approved events beyond standard administration and asked staff and the commission to consider transportation access and outreach to students for the dinner.