Arizona AG vows action against polygamy
After decades of neglect, Arizona’s Attorney General Terry Goddard
outlined a bold new initiative aimed at cracking down on the abuse often
associated with the practice of polygamy.
Part of that plan includes establishing a state justice center in
Colorado City, a small town located on the Utah-Arizona border. Just
about all of the city’s residents engage in the practice of polygamy.
The center should be built in the next 90 days, Goddard said.
Arizona’s top attorney said the message he wants to send to the leaders
of the city is that the abuse of women and children will not be
tolerated.
Goddard said that he is also trying to establish trust with Colorado
City residents who typically don’t turn to law enforcement for help.
Another aspect of Goddard’s plan includes creating a law that would make
it a felony to marry teens into polygamist marriages. Arizona law
appears to only forbid obtaining two or more state marriage licenses.
Goddard admits he has a tough task ahead of him.
“We’re going to change 50 years of tradition,” Goddard said.
Nearly 50 years ago, Arizona Gov. Howard Pyle launched a failed raid on
Short Creek, trying to stamp out polygamy.
In a short statement issued Tuesday, Goddard said a letter signed by 26
lawmakers "signals support for attorney general initiatives in Colorado
City and his efforts to draft stronger state laws to protect children."
Most residents of Colorado City and neighboring Hildale, Utah, are
members of the Fundamental Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
That religion teaches that men must have at least three wives to reach
heaven, but two of the women take part in a "spiritual" marriage that
doesn't require state approval.
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