Message advocating for a 'pure and white' Oregon and opposing the Rajneesh
Title
Message advocating for a 'pure and white' Oregon and opposing the Rajneesh
Description
A typed message supposedly signed by Laura Bentley on behalf of an anti-Rajneesh group named the Concerned Oregonians of Wasco County. Copies of this typed message were distributed in the Dalles in 1984. This copy came into the hands of Bob Oliver, legal counsel to Governor Atiyeh. The message is overtly racist. It states that the Concerned Oregonians of Wasco County admires the Ku Klux Klan and is making plans to keep Oregon 'pure and white.' The message connects these racist views to the group's opposition towards the Rajneesh community of Wasco County.
Though the message is supposedly signed by Laura Bentley, who was a leader of the Concerned Oregonians of Wasco County group, it was more likely written by Rajneesh followers who were trying to undermine her. Laura Bentley had publicly opposed the Rajneesh during their attempt to flood the county's voter registration rolls with Rajneesh followers in 1984.
Attached to the telegram is a routing slip, showing that Oliver forwarded the telegram to Governor Atiyeh's chief of staff, Gerry Thompson. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver.
Though the message is supposedly signed by Laura Bentley, who was a leader of the Concerned Oregonians of Wasco County group, it was more likely written by Rajneesh followers who were trying to undermine her. Laura Bentley had publicly opposed the Rajneesh during their attempt to flood the county's voter registration rolls with Rajneesh followers in 1984.
Attached to the telegram is a routing slip, showing that Oliver forwarded the telegram to Governor Atiyeh's chief of staff, Gerry Thompson. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver.
Subject
Rajneeshpuram (Or.)
Rajneeshees
Identifier
PUA_MS96_2710
Rights
Copyright not evaluated
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/
Type
Text