Clergy urged to support hate crimes
legislation
[5-7-02]
FAITH ACTION NETWORK -- A project of People For the American Way --
Alert Date: May 7, 2002 Circulate Until: May 31, 2002
SEN. DASCHLE PLEDGES HATE CRIMES VOTE BY MEMORIAL DAY
Dear PFAW Faith Action Network:
Hate crimes legislation has once again been introduced in both houses
of the US Congress. The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2001
(S.625/H.R.1343) is enjoying broad bi- partisan support, and Senator
Daschle has pledged that he will bring the LLEEA to the Senate floor for
a vote before the Memorial Day recess. We as a faith community must
raise our prophetic voices so that members of Congress know that they
have our full and unwavering support. At a time when hate crimes against
racial, religious and sexual minorities continue to escalate, the nation
must act and we must herald the call to action.
The Interfaith Alliance, as part of the Hate Crimes Coalition Task
Force, is coordinating a clergy sign-on letter to members of the US
Congress. The letter and signatures will be delivered at a time when it
will be most effective, probably right before the vote. If you are a
member of the clergy, I hope you will take a few moments to read the
letter and then add your name and contact information found at the
bottom of this action alert. Simply copy the letter, fill in your
information and email back to me at Sbaines@pfaw.org
or print the letter
and fax to us at 202-293-2672. We will then add your name to the
hundreds of clergy who have already signed the letter.
I hope you will also forward this letter to any list serves and
internet groups of which you are a member. If you need further
information or want to become more involved in organizing progressive,
faith voices in your community, please contact me directly at
202-467-2377.
In a spirit of partnership,
Rev. Steven Baines
Senior Organizer for Religious Affairs
People For the American Way
*** CLERGY SIGN-ON LETTER ON HATE CRIMES ***
Dear Senator/Representative,
We the undersigned religious leaders, from xxxx faith traditions in
xxxx states write you to urge swift passage of the Local Law Enforcement
Enhancement Act of 2001 (S.625/H.R.1343), without any weakening
amendments. At a time when hate crimes are all too prevalent, political
leaders must stand with the religious community. We must make it clear
that neither hate nor violence is a traditional American value; both are
antithetical to democracy and true spirituality.
Though legislation cannot remove hate from the hearts and minds of
individuals, hate crime legislation can help to create a society that is
unbending in its intolerance of hate-motivated violence.
As you know, current law permits federal prosecution of a hate crime
only if the crime was motivated by bias based on race, religion,
national origin, or ethnicity, and the assailant intended to prevent the
victim from exercising a "federally protected right." LLEEA
would expand federal jurisdiction to reach violent hate crimes committed
"because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national
origin, sexual orientation, gender, or disability" of the victim.
The law would empower federal prosecutors to act in concert with local
police and provide funding to these officials to assist with
investigations. A broader federal law will also help make up for the
inadequacy and absence of inclusive hate crime laws in many states and
municipalities.
To those who would oppose this hate crime legislation in the name of
religion, we state categorically; everyone in this society should enjoy
the strongest possible guarantee of freedom from attacks motivated by
bigotry. Bigotry cloaked in religion is neither a moral right nor a
religious value. The sacred scriptures of many different religious
traditions speak with dramatic unanimity on the subject of intolerance.
If we aspire to be true to the prophetic core of our religions, we
cannot condemn hate and then sit idly by while it destroys our
communities. We believe that religion and government must work together
to create a society in which diverse people are safe as well as free.
We urge you to support the enactment of the Local Law Enforcement
Enhancement Act.
Name _______________________________________
Title ______________________________________
Religious Affiliation ______________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________
City ________________________ State _________ Zip __________
Email ______________________________________________________
~~~~~~~~~
*** ABOUT THE FAITH ACTION NETWORK ***
People For the American Way's Faith Action Network (FAN) is a
national network of clergy and people of faith seeking to amplify the
voice of religious progressives in this country. The FAN not only
educates faith-based activists and leaders on central PFAW issues, but
also provides opportunities to join our other 500,000 members and
activists for direct action on the local, state and federal level. By
providing opportunities for action on a regular basis, PFAW will ensure
that the progressive faith voice continues to be raised as important
public policy is crafted.
~~~~~~~~~
*** FEEDBACK ***
Please send comments and suggestions on this alert to webmaster@pfaw.org.
~~~~~~~~~
ABOUT PEOPLE
FOR THE AMERICAN WAY / SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
People For the American
Way organizes and mobilizes Americans to fight for fairness, justice,
civil rights and the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. PFAW
monitors the Religious Right at the local, state and national levels,
lobbies for progressive legislation, and helps build communities of
activists.
To
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~~~~~~~~~
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